Hopeful Examples
It can be difficult to have faith that a different reality is possible. But examples of a new future are all around us.
No need to invent something new; we just have to have the courage to raise up what works. Here I collect the organizations and articles that give me hope and help me imagine something different.
Have an example? Send it to me!
Inspiring Programs and Acts
Community Centric Fundraising is a BIPOC led initiative to change the relationship between funders and fundees.
These organizations concretely handed over power to their staff when deciding how to handle the financial shortfalls of COVID19.
The Promotore model (examples one, two) pays and educates individuals to provide mutual aid within their own community.
Compass Point has established an equitable salary model with a minimum salary of $50k and no more than a 1:3 ratio in pay.
Inspiring Organizations
Doughty Foundation releases 10%-15% of it’s endowment per year and released 25% of it’s endowment in response to COVID.
Third Wave Fund supports youth led foundation that supports gender justice movement work.
Bread and Roses Foundation provides funding through community-driven participatory processes that brings folks together to build power and an awareness of intersectional struggle.
Urban Tree Connection supports alternative economies and self-determination of it’s Philadelphia neighborhood through food justice and farming.
Generocity Philly is a publication that raises up the knowledge of those with lived experiences.
Transformative Writings & Media
Emergent Strategy is a guide to opening oneself up to the possibility of something different through political analysis and self reflection.
Decolonize Wealth is a nurturing support for marginalized folks dismantling our own internalized white colonizer and an important call to action for philanthropy.
Healing through Story is a collection of stories about what healing looks like to various communities not well served by our institutions. Lots of wisdom about healing traditions and a toolkit to help facilitate similar conversations with your community.
Many say they have an intersectional analysis while just appropriating other people’s experiences of oppression to make their own point. This article by Julia Serano forcefully explains why just movements must pay special focus to each type of marginalization.
Beautifully nuanced code of ethics for white anti-racist organizers.
Amazing anti-colonial manifesto helping us change our relationship to data and push for self-determination. And a related academic article with concrete examples for doing research in a way that embraces positionality, intersectionality, ambiguity, material equity, and healing.