Can we talk about...? A podcast on leading for racial equity in philanthropy
Can we talk about…? is a podcast that invites philanthropic leaders into candid conversations with their peers to normalize the messiness of leading for racial equity and reflect on what it takes to create lasting transformation.
In Season 3, Mares Asfaha guides us through a deep dive of equity in community philanthropy organization.
This podcast is brought to you by Philanthropy Northwest.
Can we talk about...? A podcast on leading for racial equity in philanthropy
Aisha Al-Amin, Heidi Pelletier and Musu Bakoto Sawo on saying ‘no’ to donors when values don’t align, and building equitable long-term giving strategies
In episode 6 of our season on community philanthropy, Aisha Al-Amin (Development Director, Social Justice Fund), Heidi Pelletier (Chief Development Officer, Yakima Valley Community Foundation) and Musu Bakoto Sawo (Director of Fundraising and Grants, Community Foundation of Snohomish County), sit down with Mares to discuss that while grantmaking has shifted, donor relationships and fundraising is stuck in the past. They share both the challenges and joys of working with donors on creating more equitable and long-term giving strategies.
Together, they discuss what it looks and feels like to say “no” to donors, and how, by grounding fundraising in their organization’s values, these difficult conversations can ultimately strengthen donor relationships.
Finally, they share practical examples of how their foundations have worked to educate donors on issues such as class and race, which deepened their donors' alignment with the foundation and ultimately strengthened support for the community. See the full episode guide.
Each episode of season 3 spotlights lessons from Toward Transformation, Philanthropy Northwest’s equity-focused guide, and brings you real-world case studies, tough questions and tangible ideas you can bring back to your organization.