We should expect no less at this critical moment and beyond this crisis.The aim of this article is to examine the differences in perception of ‘fairness’ between developing and developed countries, which influence developing countries’ willingness to embrace the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) proposals and to recommend as to how to overcome these differences. Philanthropy can play a bold and meaningful leadership role by ensuring that underserved and under-resourced communities receive the resources, support, and care to counter the coronavirus pandemic. Effective and impact-driven funding will occur when funders have a grasp of the communities experiencing the most inequity, then target their resources (grants, technical assistance, capacity-building, and other forms of support) to these communities and their organizations. The historic inequities and disparities facing communities of color existed long before COVID-19 and will be exacerbated if there is not a conscious and transparent commitment to undertake definitive and corrective actions now. The philanthropic sector must commit to supporting these funds, to help ensure no one community is left behind as a result of this crisis. Many of these funds have to work twice as hard to raise the dollars to have a significant impact in their communities. Funds such as the Latino Legacy Fund, Blacks in Philanthropy, and the Business Equity COVID-19 Emergency Fund are organized and led by community leaders. The philanthropic sector must commit to supporting these funds, which exist to democratize the nation’s philanthropic sector. ▪ Build the capacity of minority-based funds. Funds can add new voices by implementing community decision-making structures, transparent processes, and committees that have a say in how monies are allocated. Representation and a voice when funding decisions are made can ensure that philanthropic giving is more equitable and that it tempers unequal access to funder relationships. The philanthropic funds created during this crisis have a responsibility to ensure that they are led by individuals doing front-line work in vulnerable communities. ▪ Be intentional about inclusion and equity at decision-making tables. Race Forward, a social justice organization, reminds us to incorporate race as a factor that helps inform how we assess, “Who is most vulnerable? Who is burdened? Who benefits?” To these questions, we add, “Who is left out?” More important, are funders tracking the organizations funded and the percent of dollars to front-line and minority-led organizations? Asking these questions will ensure that emergency-response funds proactively integrate a racial equity lens in their crisis-focused grant-making process. Philanthropy is more effective when it supports capacity-building by providing larger dollars to these front-line organizations.
However, the financial support provided to smaller, minority-led nonprofits can have an immediate impact because they have a concrete grasp of their community’s needs and challenges, do the in-field work, and can rapidly put funds to use.
Funders worry that these organizations will close their doors during crises, economic or otherwise. They might be an emerging organization with an infrastructure that is still in development. Unfortunately, these organizations are frequently overlooked by foundations and funds because they may not meet the profile a funder seeks. Smaller local organizations led by ethnically or racially diverse leaders who have established trust and deep relationships with community members are often in a better position to develop and implement effective solutions to address the issues within their communities. Massachusetts’ philanthropic funds can be visionary trailblazers in the COVID-19 crisis by addressing funding inequities, including taking the following steps: These funds, like traditional philanthropy, often favor the larger, well-established nonprofit institutions with strong philanthropic relationships, connected civic and corporate networks, and “track records,” which are rarely checked for real impact. Funds that are meant to aid and support in times of crisis can unintentionally perpetuate the same inequities that are found in traditional philanthropy unless they are designed to tackle systemic and structural racial disparities.
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