Why did you join the Intergenerational Giving Project?

When I heard about the Social Justice Fund NW and its model of foundation grantmaking, I knew I wanted to be involved. Unlike the majority of foundations – operating knowingly or unknowingly in support of white supremacy and white norms – SJF’s grantmaking model is unique. SJF’s focus is on organizations led by and communities most affected systemic racism, organizations addressing the root causes of oppression and racism, and organizations that are nimble and able to address the changing needs of their community. SJF maintains a strong belief in funding community organizing as a way to make real and permanent change.

I was drawn to the Intergenerational Giving Project, which provided the opportunity to focus on funding leadership development and the chance to work with a motivated group of people of all ages. After reviewing organizations that had received funding in previous years I was reminded of the important work being done with the goal of equity. We all need to be part of the movement to change the oppressive systems on which our country was founded and continues to operate. Social Justice Fund NW is one avenue to help make this happen.

What were one or two meaningful experiences or takeaways for you from this Giving Project?

This Giving Project gave me the chance to work in a group setting to analyze race and class issues while challenging myself and others to comprehend our unearned privilege and how it effects how we move through the world. This is the only way we are going to undo our current belief systems and ingrained biases.

For most of us white people, we find the news these days as “shocking.” I often hear people of color express their experience as “same sh*t, different day.”

How do you hope to stay connected to Social Justice Fund NW and/or to the grassroots organizing you supported in this Giving Project?

As an alumnus of the Intergenerational Giving Project, I plan to stay connected to SJF through volunteering with the organization where I can, and encourage friends and family to join a project.  Joining the listservs, email lists, volunteering, and donating to the organizations funded by the SJF are all ways I plan to stay involved.

If YOU are reading this and you haven’t done a Giving Project, the time is NOW!