Word of the Day by Jorge Díaz Ortiz
The word of the day is philanthropy. Philanthropy is the transfer of resources from wealthy individuals, usually through organizations called foundations to social movements and organizations. These organizations are typically classified in the United States as non-profits exempting them from taxes and exposing them to government regulation and control.
Philanthropy, as we see it today, began in the early 1900’s when wealthy elites like John D. Rockefeller, who got their millions through capitalist exploitation created foundations as a way to filter the money towards charitable causes of their choice, but mainly to shield their wealth from taxation Today, foundations are only required to donate 5% of their total assets annually, which means that currently, foundations are hoarding over $1 trillion in assets. This centralizes money in the hands of the privileged few, instead of spreading it to the working class, people who generated it.
Historically, philanthropy has weakened or deradicalized social movements, wealthy funders have often focused on individuals suffering from the effects of capitalism and white supremacy rather than the oppressive system itself. It has also served to distract from more radical wealth redistribution efforts and to replace the state by providing privatized services, which were once public. This corporatization of philanthropy and its political implications is outlined and detailed in the critical book ‘The Revolution Will Not be Funded‘ written by various authors and compiled by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence.
Wealth exists because of the exploitation of the working class and can be traced back to the enslavement of Africans, the genocide of Native peoples and the exploitation of the labor of workers, specifically immigrants. There are many groups working to shift philanthropy from its white resource hoarding origins to a more diverse, expensive and accessible form of wealth redistribution. To be part of that movement funders can stop requiring excessive grant applications and reports and donate generously to grassroots organizations, particularly funding their organizational capacity building and long-term projects.
There are many incredible organizers and groups doing the hard on the ground work that is sustaining community and building new futures today. If wealthy people are interested in the real change that comes from shifting power, they can give their money directly to these efforts while spending down their wealth without requiring numerous hoops to jump through or strings attached.
As Highlander Center’s co-director, Ashley Woodard-Henderson, states ‘fund us like you want us to win’.
This has been the word of the day.
Datos y Dibujos - Philanthropy by Osvaldo Budet
The word of the day is philanthropy. Philanthropy is the transfer of resources from wealthy individuals, usually through organizations called foundations to social movements and organizations. These organizations are typically classified in the United States as non-profits exempting them from taxes and exposing them to government regulation and control.
Philanthropy as we see it today began in the early 1900’s when wealthy elites like John D. Rockefeller, who got their millions through capitalist exploitation created foundations as a way to filter the money towards charitable causes of their choice, but mainly to shield their wealth from taxation Today, foundations are only required to donate 5% of their total assets annually, which means that currently foundations are hoarding over $1 trillion in assets. This centralizes money in the hands of the privileged few, instead of spreading it to the working class, people who generated it.
Historically, philanthropy has weakened or deradicalized social movements, wealthy funders have often focused on individuals suffering from the effects of capitalism and white supremacy rather than the oppressive system itself. It has also served to distract from more radical wealth redistribution efforts and to replace the state by providing privatized services, which were once public. This corporatization of philanthropy and its political implications is outlined and detailed in the critical book ‘The Revolution Will Not be Funded‘ written by various authors and compiled by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence.
Wealth exists because of the exploitation of the working class and can be traced back to the enslavement of Africans, the genocide of Native peoples and the exploitation of the labor of workers, specifically immigrants. There are many groups working to shift philanthropy from its white resource hoarding origins to a more diverse, expensive and accessible form of wealth redistribution. To be part of that movement funders can stop requiring excessive grant applications and reports and donate generously to grassroots organizations, particularly funding their organizational capacity building and long-term projects.
There are many incredible organizers and groups doing the hard on the ground work that is sustaining community and building new futures today. If wealthy people are interested in the real change that comes from shifting power, they can give their money directly to these efforts while spending down their wealth without requiring numerous hoops to jump through or strings attached.
As Highlander Center’s co-director, Ashley Woodard-Henderson, states ‘fund us like you want us to win’.
This has been the word of the day.
