The Urgency of Now: Foundations’ Role in Ending Racial Inequity

Abstract

· This article explores the multiple approaches that foundations can use to advance racial equity and prosperity. · It first gauges the depth of the challenge that our communities face in racial disparities, then surveys the evolution of the role of philanthropies in addressing poverty and traces the long history of racialization of institutions and systems. · Finally, this article focuses on a specific set of approaches used by the Minnesota-based Northwest Area Foundation that others working for racial equity might employ to meet their needs.