Advancing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in philanthropy is a key pillar of work and core strategic priority at the United Philanthropy Forum. The Forum envisions a courageous philanthropic sector that catalyzes a just and equitable society where all can participate and prosper. It is not possible for us to achieve this vision without addressing racial equity. Therefore, we fundamentally reject any attempt to distort, deliberately mischaracterize, or diminish the vital work underway in philanthropy to advance racial equity and racial justice.
Racial equity is not a political ideology nor a talking point, but a fundamental human right and cornerstone of democracy. Those who attempt to frame racial equity as a partisan issue, while engaging in wholesale intellectual dishonesty by seeking to redefine diversity and perpetuate false narratives, give cover to individuals and organizations that have benefitted directly from systems of inequity and seek to maintain the status quo.
As a network of organizations with varying degrees of understanding of racism and racial equity, we remain committed to helping the field prioritize and embed racial equity in every facet of philanthropic work, practices, and culture. Additionally, we seek to align with, reflect, and amplify the knowledge and expertise of Forum members, especially those PSOs that have provided long-standing leadership in advancing racial equity within the sector and beyond. This alignment includes collaborating with members to advocate for equitable policy solutions as well as other efforts to leverage the power of the Forum network to impact systemic change.
As such, the Forum and the undersigned organizations are fully committed to this endeavor and hold ourselves - and each other - accountable for uplifting and fulfilling our collective vision for the common good.
David Biemesderfer
President and CEO
United Philanthropy Forum
Amanda Andere
CEO
Funders Together to End Homelessness
Joseph Antolin
President and CEO
Asset Funders Network
Ana Marie Argilagos
President and CEO
Hispanics in Philanthropy
Deborah Aubert Thomas
President and CEO
Philanthropy Ohio
Elizabeth Barajas-Román
President & CEO
Women's Funding Network
Susie Brown
President
Minnesota Council on Foundations
Virginia Clarke
Executive Director
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders
Aaron Dorfman
President & CEO
National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
Deborah Dubin
Chief Executive Officer
Philanthropy Missouri
Christine Essel
President & CEO
Southern California Grantmakers
Satonya Fair
President and CEO
PEAK Grantmaking
Sean Gibbons
CEO
The Communications Network
Judy Hatcher
Executive Director
Biodiversity Funders Group
LaShanda Jackson
Executive Director
Funders' Committee for Civic Participation
Monique Jones
President & CEO
Forefront
Anupama Joshi
Executive Director
Blue Sky Funders Forum
Joanne Kelley
Chief Executive Officer
Philanthropy Colorado
Laurie Liles
President and CEO
Arizona Grantmakers Forum
Frank Lopez
Executive Director
Groundworks New Mexico
Niamani Mutima
Executive Director
Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group
Kathryn O'Neal-Dunham
President and CEO
Philanthropy New York
Anjana Pandey
Interim CEO
Philanthropy Northwest
Cema Siegel
Co-Director
Economic Opportunity Funders
Nicholas Tedesco
President & CEO
National Center for Family Philanthropy
Megan Thomas
President & CEO
Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties
Marissa Tirona
President
Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees
Eddie Torres
President & CEO
Grantmakers in the Arts
Kathleen Traphagen
Lead Facilitator
Grantmakers for Thriving Youth
Maria Vizcarrondo
President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
