Foundation Presidents Discuss Racial Equity Response During COVID-19

By Sara Padilla, KHA Initiatives Manager

Fear. Uncertainty. Stress. Crisis. Hope.

These were top of mind for a group of foundation presidents who joined in a virtual convening by the Presidents’ Forum on Racial Equity in Philanthropy to discuss racial equity in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While sharing the undeniable personal and organizational challenges and uncertainties of the moment, there was also a sense of optimism that philanthropy may—and must—come out stronger, with new capacities to become more racially equitable as the crisis subsides and the world returns to its new normal. If foundation leaders center racial equity as mission critical and, in their own words, remain “accountable, inspired and humble,” this is possible. And it is of paramount importance to the groups on the ground working to mitigate harm and protect vulnerable communities that philanthropy does so. 

The gathering was organized by the Presidents’ Forum at the request of a foundation president who had previously participated in the forum’s in-person programming. Seventeen foundation chief executives engaged in a candid and courageous conversation around how to center racial equity during this unprecedented public health crisis. 

Opening the dialogue in a breakout group, Larry Kramer, president of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, said, “We are managing stress and fear, and have to spend more time with staff. ... they need real conversation. Our staff morale is pretty good right now, and we quickly mobilized to operate remotely ... but how will this be different one month from now, after 30 days at home?” Another president questioned aloud what the implications of an economic slowdown may be for their organization and ultimately for its grantees and the communities they serve.

The group shared examples of their organizations’ pandemic-response actions and decisions that are grounded in a racial-equity lens rather than setting racial equity aside as an “extra” element of their work. The need to “move fast, while also having to pause” requires a balance between responding to immediate needs of grantees and partners while also recognizing the longer-term socioeconomic, scientific and political implications of the pandemic. 

At least one organization is doubling its grantmaking in 2020 and will commit the additional funding to power-building organizations led by people of color. “People need trusted messengers—the groups on the ground—when they are in crisis,” confirmed Crystal Hayling, executive director of the Libra Foundation. This approach ensures that funds will be provided directly to those nonprofits working to mitigate harm and protect the safety of the most vulnerable populations in our country. These trusted messengers and organizations require timely and unambiguous information and sufficient funding in order to do so. 

Dr. Bob Ross, president and chief executive officer of the California Endowment, identified three of the multiple vulnerable communities of most concern, “...the incarcerated, the homeless and immigrants, particularly those that are undocumented. Racial equity work is intensified now. We all respond to categories that involve the vulnerable [communities].” Hayling later noted, “In the past there have been nonprofits that bounced back from recession; however, most nonprofits led by people of color did not.”

Heads nodded virtually as presidents described the opportunity to develop a racial equity and inclusion strategy for responding to the evolution and outcomes of COVID-19. Julie Mikuta, co-president of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, posed the question, “How do we influence policy? And the next stimulus bill?” 

What other assistance can philanthropy offer, beyond grantmaking, to support impacted communities? This and many other questions surfaced as foundation CEOs considered ways in which they can provide effective, sustainable support to their grantees and support one another in carrying out the leadership imperative for racial equity. 

Led by the Institute for Strategic and Equitable Development with implementation partner Keecha Harris and Associates, Inc., the goal of the Presidents’ Forum is to create a space where foundation CEOs can candidly discuss the most difficult issues, trade-offs and opportunities around race and equity—and think through these critical issues with their peers facing the same or similar questions to transform the sector. With a focus on racial equity, the Forum provides peer-to-peer support and learning experiences through facilitated dialogue for CEOs dedicated to shifting philanthropy toward a diversified, equitable and inclusive giving community.

KHA is organizing a series of 75-minute virtual, open dialogues for foundation senior executives on philanthropy’s response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact Sara Padilla at spadilla@khandassociates.com or visit our Upcoming Events page for additional details.