Borealis Philanthropy

Our new episode of Infinite Patterns, a Kaleidoscope podcast, teases out the imposed value system of capitalism, the impact of resistance, and the audacity it takes to do better. Our host, Ty White is joined by Ryan Sorrell, Founder of the Kansas City Defender, and James Salanga, Co-Exectuive Director of The Objective, to discuss media ownership and sustainability outside of the foreboding force of capitalism. The conversation centers on the way people’s labor and stories are valued (or, more precisely, not valued) by journalists under capitalism. “If it bleeds, it leads” quoted James sardonically, speaking to the exploitation of people’s most vulnerable and painful moments in service of their newsroom’s bottom line. Laid plainly, suffering sells. Though there is “not a clear blueprint for resisting” extractive practice, both The Kansas City Defender and The Objective are reckoning with the harm those practices have caused and forging a new way forward. Check it out on your podcaster of preference! https://lnkd.in/gPuUDug3

Where much of #philanthropy is retrenching from #RacialJustice work in the wake of SCOTUS' ban on #AffirmativeAction, the Black Led Movement Fund (BLMF) is steadfast in resourcing and supporting Black-led movement orgs. The demands and questions raised during protests to the murders of #MichaelBrownJr in 2014, #GeorgeFloyd in 2020, and countless police murders before, in between, and since, remain unaddressed. And in their work, Black organizers continue to face alarming risks—from restrictions on protesting to RICO and domestic terrorism charges for doing so. Philanthropy cannot waver. What can funders do? READ: BLMF Program Director Julia Beatty joined friends from Compton Foundation, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, and Common Defense for a panel at the Funders Committee on Civic Participation to answer this specific question. They offered five takeaways. https://lnkd.in/eKNyTs-C READ: The BLMF and Communities Transforming Policing Fund (CTPF) just launched the learnings from their Movement-Defined Learning (MDL) Project, a participatory learning and evaluation project designed to support community partners in defining their own impact and align philanthropic practices to their wisdom. https://lnkd.in/gyWa-Pgf

A call in for Hollywood AND philanthropy-at-large! This summer, Fund for Trans Generations' Dominique Morgan joined Sharon Stone, Charlize Theron, Uzo Aduba, Wilson Cruz, and Julie Bowen at the inaugural Social Impact Fund Summit to talk about the future of Hollywood Philanthropy. READ: The full breakdown of the summit by The Hollywood Reporter. https://lnkd.in/gxTgd7rz SIGN UP: Get regular updates! https://lnkd.in/gEwJc6vT

It’s a pleasure to share the Democracy Frontlines Fund’s Year 3 / Phase I report! The thoughtful reflection on the highlights and challenges of their first three years are a reminder to funders why it’s imperative to #FundtheFrontlines. Read the full report to learn more about their incredible slate of grantees—including our Communities Transforming Policing Fund, their unique funder learning journeys, and how funding Black-led organizing is going to help get us all free. https://shorturl.at/LlPDE #DemocracyFrontlinesFund  #RealizingOurVision #FundingtheFrontlines

In the midst of the 2020 racial reckoning, Lisa Donahue sought out Fierce Allies, a network of justice, equity, decolonization, and intersectionality stewards, for support in decolonizing the nature connection field—a field that has long harmed Indigenous communities through the appropriation of #IndigenousLifeways. J. Miakoda Taylor of Fierce Allies guided Donahue through their Reckoning and Reparations practicum, a reparations preparedness training that calls on participants to identify who and how they have harmed and to leverage their power to offer actionable healing and restoration to those communities. Taylor and Donahue then tailored the practicum for the Nature Connection Network, where Donahue and Lucia Colombaro are members of the Leadership Circle. The Circle declared 2022 their “Transformational Year,” which saw the launch of public acknowledgements of harm, online community forums, and, under Colombaro’s leadership, CoDE—a tool allowing network members to connect with racial equity training opportunities. READ: This and four other case studies highlighting how Borealis' REACH Fund grantee partners led nonprofits through transformative organizational change in our new report, #MeetingtheMoment, Keeping the Momentum: Stories of #RacialEquity and #LiberatoryPractices from the Field—a powerful learning tool for funders committed to racial justice. https://lnkd.in/dYM9UVY8

I recently partnered with the deeply thoughtful Alicia Bell at the Borealis Philanthropy's Racial Equity and Journalism Fund to explore what it would take to truly support a diverse and thriving local news ecosystem across the U.S. Our financial models showed estimates ranging from $350 million to $71 billion —staggering numbers compared to the $10-25 million currently raised each year by philanthropic groups. However, at this very time, some startups with not even a website are raising $100 million to $2 billion to build AI agents or consumer gen AI products. While local news outlets in Texas, North Carolina, and beyond, which educate communities and build local social capital, are struggling to secure even a $10k grant. ❓The question:❓ Will AI agents alone shape the future we want, or is rebuilding the social fabric and information ecosystems of our communities just as essential? But most importantly, how can we balance our investment priorities to ensure we're building the future we truly need? More info on our study and financial models here: 1. https://lnkd.in/ex8mWfHZ 2. https://lnkd.in/etZhqMP8

I’m so grateful to be here in New Orleans, not only as the Executive Director of SisTers PGH but also as a proud member of the Flower Crown Project and the Tenacious 10! I had the chance to share my experience as a Flower Crown Project member and talk about the vital work we’re doing at Sisters PGH, like the Stonewall Inn, Monica Roberts Place, and our Nest Egg program. Huge thanks to Dominique Morgan and the amazing team at Borealis Philanthropy and Funds for Trans Generations for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to the USCHA conference and being in community with my sisters, the Tenacious 10. Together, let’s work toward building a better and brighter future for our trans youth! 💪🏽 #Tenacious10 #FlowerCrownProject #USCHA #TransPower #BuildingTheFuture #MarshasFlowersAreBlooming

Please help us welcome Briana Stickney as the new Communities Transforming Policing Fund (CTPF) Senior Program Associate! 🎉 Briana arrives at Borealis with a passion for seeing people thrive. In her role, she supports the CTPF team and grantee partners with growth in capacity building and sustainability. Learn more about Briana in our very first new staff video interview! https://lnkd.in/dnBq5c5S

I recently partnered with the deeply thoughtful Alicia Bell at the Borealis Philanthropy's Racial Equity and Journalism Fund to explore what it would take to truly support a diverse and thriving local news ecosystem across the U.S. Our financial models showed estimates ranging from $350 million to $71 billion —staggering numbers compared to the $10-25 million currently raised each year by philanthropic groups. However, at this very time, some startups with not even a website are raising $100 million to $2 billion to build AI agents or consumer gen AI products. While local news outlets in Texas, North Carolina, and beyond, which educate communities and build local social capital, are struggling to secure even a $10k grant. ❓The question:❓ Will AI agents alone shape the future we want, or is rebuilding the social fabric and information ecosystems of our communities just as essential? But most importantly, how can we balance our investment priorities to ensure we're building the future we truly need? More info on our study and financial models here: 1. https://lnkd.in/ex8mWfHZ 2. https://lnkd.in/etZhqMP8

As we witness rising #authoritarianism across our country and world, we’ve been reflecting on what this moment—one in which we just might be on the precipice of all we’ve hoped for and dreamt of—requires of #philanthropy. 1. Fund organizing to fund #democracy. 2. Mobilize resources to BIPOC, queer, trans, and disabled leaders. 3. Practice democracy within our own institutions. In this critical juncture, we must remember: philanthropy exists to experiment, act in abundance, and assume risk in ways that other entities—particularly our #grassroots partners—are not. This moment belongs to philanthropy. May we recognize the power that exists in alignment, and act swiftly and collectively towards a new world. 🌍️ READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/g8maCA_t