Ghormley. Woman, white, queer, cis-gendered, able bodied, WASP, radical.

Tell us about a past experience that inspires the work you do today.

In my early work as a frontline social justice/service provider I was asked by the executive team at the non-profit where I worked to represent my rank, file and work in a conversation with funders. I went with others from the organization to the meeting to share our specific expertise and perspective about our work and why it was valuable. The funder was overwhelmed and didn’t know how to process or hear our experience. I was inspired by my employer’s willingness to push against the traditional model for who and what should be included in funding conversations, but also unimpressed by how “uncreative” at best and unjust at worst the funder seemed to be in their process. I have been inspired to push against models that are not inclusive and focused on engendering inclusive dignity and respect; I hope to be pushing for more of that in my current work.

What change do you hope to see in philanthropy?

For Philanthropy to be an inclusive force for funding pilots and sustained necessary programs to support a better human experience for all. For Philanthropy to help catalyze new scalable models for effective programs and processes to improve human lives and connection to a better world.

Hammond. Queer, femme, Black, immigrant, woman.

Tell us about a past experience that inspires the work you do today.

I once worked for a youth-led non-profit that built the leadership and power of LGBTQ youth of color, ages 13 to 24, many of whom were homeless or low-income. Each year, every class of youth organizers would raise dozens to thousands of dollars from their friends and communities, shattering the false myth that homeless queer youth aren’t powerful and resilient. That’s why I do the work I do today because I know that my communities – the ones are too often the most marginalized – are powerful and doing important work to address structural oppression, to build social movements across identities and location, and to create liberation in our lifetimes.

What change do you hope to see in philanthropy?

There’s a new generation in philanthropy who are more responsive and accountable to the needs of movements and communities led by black and brown people, queer and trans people, and low-income people. They are trying new models, giving multi-year flexible funding, funding to non-501(c)3’s, spending down, creating rapid response movement funds, impact investing, engaging individual donors of conscience, and engaging in community-led grantmaking. I envision this growing and becoming more of the norm. I envision a philanthropy that isn’t afraid anymore – that can step bravely into taking risks and funding community-led social justice efforts, advocacy efforts, and cutting edge culture-change work.

Carly Dawn Hare, <i kita u hoo <i  ]a  hiks. I am Pawnee/Yankton auntie, activist, advocate and ally.

Tell us about a past experience that inspires the work you do today.

At the age of sixteen, I received my Pawnee name <i kita u hoo <i  ]a  hiks which translates into “kind leader of men.” I have strived my entire career to live up to this honor, to embody grace and to hold community as a priority in my mind and heart.

What change do you hope to see in philanthropy?

The future of philanthropy has community at its center and is actively modeling inclusion and equity. Collective wisdom is honored, community knowledge is utilized and leadership is shared.

Hare, <i kita u hoo <i  ]a  hiks. I am Pawnee/Yankton auntie, activist, advocate and ally.

Tell us about a past experience that inspires the work you do today.

At the age of sixteen, I received my Pawnee name <i kita u hoo <i  ]a  hiks which translates into “kind leader of men.” I have strived my entire career to live up to this honor, to embody grace and to hold community as a priority in my mind and heart.

What change do you hope to see in philanthropy?

The future of philanthropy has community at its center and is actively modeling inclusion and equity. Collective wisdom is honored, community knowledge is utilized and leadership is shared.

Noelle Ito
Vice President, Programs
AAPIP

How do you identify yourself?

Ito. As an Asian American woman

Tell us about a past experience that inspires the work you do today.

As a 4th generation Japanese American, I have been lucky that my grandparents have shared their story of incarceration during WWII in an internment camp in Arizona. For many, these stories have not been passed down due to shame, anger etc. It is this historical moment in time that has shaped so much of our family history and has inspired me to ensure that something like this never happens again in the US and that we fight for equity for all.

What change do you hope to see in philanthropy?

Giving & leadership that is more reflective of our country and not just an activity for old white wealthy men!

Marvin Webb
Director of Operations & Member Services
Funders for LGBTQ Issues

How do you identify yourself?

Webb. African American 50+ year old gay male.

Tell us about a past experience that inspires the work you do today.

I come from the Midwest, from divorced parents, raised in the United Methodist Church, attending private schools when my mother worked for the public school district as a teacher. I was a modern dancer and lived in NYC during the peak of the AIDS epidemic.

What change do you hope to see in philanthropy?

More inclusiveness in all that people do – not just making sure there are enough gays, women, Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans in the Philanthropy work pool. For me, this is about a change in lifestyle acknowledging the brilliance and range of depth that diversity can give an institution, corporation, and outputs/outcomes.