Upcoming Events
Nov. 2020 Two-day Convening February and June 2020 Nov. 12, 2019, Chicago, IL June 3-4 2019, Montgomery, AL March 28-29 2019, Washington, DC December 13-14 2018, Palo Alto, CA
Glossary News Reports Blog What are Race Affinity Groups?
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Our Purpose

The goal of the Presidents' Forum is to create a space where CEOs can candidly discuss the most difficult issues and trade-offs around equity and think through these important issues with others facing the same or similar questions.

Our Focus

The Presidents’ Forum focuses specifically on racial and ethnic equity by developing a peer-to-peer support and learning network through facilitated dialogue for CEOs who are dedicated to shifting the tide of philanthropy toward a diversified, equitable, and inclusive giving community.

Our Partners

The Presidents' Forum is implemented in partnership with the Institute of Strategic and Equitable Development by KHA and its co-convener, Ali Webb Strategies.

 

Contribute to Our Work

Please consider supporting the Institute for Strategic and Equitable Development. Your financial donation supports the Presidents' Forum on Racial Equity in Philanthropy.

If you represent a private sector organization and are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sara Padilla. Otherwise, please use the "Donate" button below.

 
Featured
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How 2 White Leaders of Big Foundations Are Tackling Racial Equity
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Racial Equity CEO Survey Summary Report
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Presidents and Senior Staffers Explore Their Responsibility Amid COVID-19, Protests
Presidents and Senior Staffers Explore Their Responsibility Amid COVID-19, Protests

On June 8-9, philanthropy leaders gathered for two days to discuss what it means to center racial equity in their organizational responses to current events.

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Presidents discuss internal stakeholders in second COVID-19 call
Presidents discuss internal stakeholders in second COVID-19 call

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released preliminary data showing that 30 percent of COVID-19 patients are African-American, far outpacing their share of the US population (13 percent).

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What is the purpose of the Presidents’ Forum race affinity sessions?

To continue both building and deepening a racial equity learning community among foundation leaders, with the ultimate goal of a longer-term transformation across philanthropy in the United States.

Participants from the December 2018 gathering of the Presidents’ Forum on Racial Equity in Philanthropy, with guest speaker Valerie Jarrett, former senior adviser to President Barack Obama. Click here to read the meeting report from the event.

Participants from the December 2018 gathering of the Presidents’ Forum on Racial Equity in Philanthropy, with guest speaker Valerie Jarrett, former senior adviser to President Barack Obama. Click here to read the meeting report from the event.

“We have to admit complicity, that every part of foundations, source of money, connections, is entirely steeped in a capitalist white supremacist model.”

Quotes from Foundation Leaders

“It took quite a bit of basic training and lengthy discussion about racial equity and structural racism before we could meaningfully move forward [at my foundation.]. Even an aware group needed basic education on racial equity.”

“When you ask about lack of power building in black communities… have this reality of thirty to forty years of disinvestment in black causes and worsening conditions in black community—life expectancy, housing, etc.”


“We have to admit complicity, that every part of foundations, source of money, connections, is entirely steeped in a capitalist white supremacist model.”

“It takes partnerships to be courageous and vulnerable. An individual just feels vulnerable.”

“Whatever the foundation’s mission is taking time to clarify how racial equity and inclusion impact the mission...If you jump over that step will see as a one-off. It doesn’t really have too much to do with what we do. Giving permission to take time with staff to lay out the case for dealing with REI is critical to mission.”

“Foundations find problems and use resources to solve them.  It is linear and lends itself to a theory of change or theory of action.  Racism is entirely different.  If someone presses me on how to end structural racism, it would take more than a minute to identify specific, measurable, and actionable steps.”

“Best place to start is within board room because that is the one place where a foundation leader is not at the top of the pyramid.”

“Irrational prejudice or discrimination which eliminates access to excellence that is available but unavailed because of race, gender, age, or anything unrelated to performance is itself a barrier to excellence.”