Moving Beyond Listening: Shifting Grantmaking Practices to Center Proximate Voices
📷 credit: Hannah Busing via Unsplash
Last week, we had the privilege of presenting at the Council of Michigan Foundations' Annual Conference. Our session, titled "Moving Beyond Listening: Shifting Grantmaking Practices to Center Proximate Voices” and designed and facilitated by Alison Upton López, Michael Pratt, and Ricky Benavidez, was a powerful exploration of how philanthropy can better serve communities by amplifying the voices of those closest to the work.
Why Centering Proximate Voices Matters
The core message of our session was clear: to create meaningful change, philanthropy must move beyond simply listening to actively centering the voices and experiences of proximate organizations and leaders. These are the individuals and groups who are deeply embedded in their communities, understand the nuances of local challenges, and are best positioned to drive sustainable solutions.
Expert Insights
We were fortunate to have a panel of experts share their experiences and insights:
eMily Alemán-McAlpine, Program Director, Wege Foundation
Vicky Stott, Senior Program Officer, Racial Equity and Community Engagement, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Kelsey Wabanimkee, Indigenous Educator and Community Wellness Consultant
Our panelists discussed their journeys in shifting decision-making processes, the challenges they've faced, and the successes they've achieved in centering proximate voices. They emphasized that this work isn't just about grantmaking – it's about transforming entire organizational cultures and practices. For example, one recommendation echoed across panelists was encouraging staff and board members to go out into communities and participate in organizations’ work beyond site visits.
Key Takeaways
Importance of Proximity: Understanding and valuing the perspectives of those closest to the issues is crucial for effective philanthropy.
Organizational Shift: Centering proximate voices requires changes across all organizational functions, not just in grantmaking.
Challenges and Successes: While the journey can be challenging, the impact of truly collaborative and community-centered philanthropy is profound.
Practical Steps: Attendees left with concrete ideas and commitments to implement in their own organizations.
Looking Ahead
The energy in the room was palpable as attendees engaged in small group discussions and individual reflection. Many shared commitments to try new approaches in the coming months, from revising grant application processes to creating more inclusive decision-making structures.
As one attendee noted, "This session wasn't just about theory – it gave us practical tools to start making changes right away."
We're excited to see how these commitments will shape the future of philanthropy in Michigan and beyond. By centering proximate voices, we can create a more equitable, effective, and transformative philanthropic sector.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this important work. Together, we can move beyond listening to truly amplify and empower the voices that matter most.
Systemic Change in the Fight for Democracy
📷 credit: Unseen Histories via Unsplash
As we near the November election, many donors are feeling anxious about the role they play in the fight for the future of our democracy. The specters of white nationalism and rising global fascism have progressive donors asking, “How can I direct my investments to best protect and strengthen democratic practice? Where are my resources needed most?” This was the subject of a recent blog post, as well as the impetus for our Democracy Learning Cohort series – 9-month learning engagements with groups of donors who are interested in maximizing their impact in the democracy space (you can learn more about our DLCs here).
These questions are relevant to anyone working in the philanthropic sector, regardless of where we are in the election cycle. How can we best leverage our access and resources to build the democracy we have never had? What is our role in effecting systemic change? What factors does systemic change rely on? Below, we will explore these questions, as well as some of the foundational concepts we use in our DLC program to help donors consider how their giving strategies impact the future of our democracy.
Achieving Systemic Change
The staggering wealth inequality in the U.S. is directly linked to the accumulation of political power. Multiple Supreme Court decisions have ensured that the more money you have, the louder your political voice may be. These dynamics are responsible for the decades-long and largely successful efforts of wealthy opportunists to systematically undermine the institutions of democracy. We see the fruits of this labor all around us: election denialism, gerrymandered districts, mass voter purges, attacks on the ballot initiative process, the partisan capture of SCOTUS and lower courts, the criminalization of protest, and more. The resulting imbalance of political power drives the social and economic disparities progressive philanthropy ostensibly seeks to address. Solving the social problems that plague us requires more than treating symptoms. The true work of progressive philanthropy must be to invest in changing systems that allow financial wealth to determine political outcomes.
Achieving this relies on the pursuit of three primary “pillars of systemic change:” 1) the advancement of structural reform, 2) building organizing infrastructure, and 3) narrative development. These three pillars comprise the foundation for fundamental realignment in how power is recognized, utilized, and shared – and enable a truly reflective democracy to be built. In addition to these components, it is critical to also make ecosystem investments that cultivate conditions that are conducive to reform.
Structural Reform
Structural reforms are shifts in policy or practice that change the way power is codified. These reforms open the door to achieving longer-term changes in who has access to levers of power and how that power is recognized. If we imagine the burden of community organizing as a Sisyphean boulder that must be rolled uphill, structural reforms are “wedges” that enable us to prevent backsliding in the aftermath of incremental progress.
For example, it is a common experience that our communities will secure a win (e.g., election of an ally to local office, passage of a progressive ballot measure at the state level, or the introduction of democracy reform legislation in US Congress) only to see that progress undone due to actions driven by moneyed interests (e.g., the unseating of a progressive champion, repealing successful ballot measures that defy corporate interests, or cynical machinations to prevent the passage of immensely popular national legislation). The constant battle over the same ground is made possible because the structure of our democracy elevates the interests of the wealthy over those of the general public.
Structural reforms open the door for power to be shared differently. They allow communities to achieve more durable wins and help ensure that future battles will be waged over new ground. In a democracy, structural reform looks like the reinforcement of voting rights, redistricting reform, money in politics reforms, or changes in how elections are administered. Such policies change how voices are recognized and valued by our political institutions and pave the way for communities to play a stronger role in governance.
The pursuit of racial equity and racial justice in America is directly tied to changing how power is held, recognized, and wielded in our democracy. The advancement of structural reform makes this possible.
Organizing Infrastructure
Actualizing structural reforms requires that these reforms be grounded in the needs, energies, and analyses of communities most impacted by injustice. Structural reforms open the door for power to be shared, but communities must be mobilized to cross the threshold and recognize the opportunity to shift the balance of power. This mobilization relies on a robust organizing infrastructure.
We measure organizing infrastructure by the relationships, resources, narratives, and actions that community-based institutions facilitate. The most effective movements for progressive change have emerged from multiracial community networks that are well-resourced, trusted, savvy, and audacious. These conditions enable organizations to build the capacity necessary to engage more people to take bold action and tell the story of their efforts in a way that compels others to accommodate their victory. Structural reforms that emerge from well-organized communities ensure that policy victories are more fully implemented and utilized; as a result, the balance of power is more likely to shift.
However, organizing without an eye toward structural reform undermines the durability of any gains that may be won. As attention moves to the next fight, opponents of reform redouble their efforts to maintain control, and the boulder slips back down. For this reason, both of these pillars are critical in the pursuit of systemic change.
Narrative Development
As communities build structural and organizing power, it is imperative to also reinforce community-driven narrative infrastructure to ensure that the dominant story that emerges elevates the conditions that have allowed these changes to occur. If we don’t control the narrative, we cede that space to those who may oppose our fight for justice. Ceding that space undermines our immediate organizing position and any learning that future generations may glean from the historical accounts of victories won.
Similar to the impetus for structural reforms, the stories that emerge must be rooted in communities most impacted by the issues that are being addressed. This ensures that leaders begin to recognize the inherent power of communities of which they may not be a part. It also places opponents of reform in a more defensive posture as their efforts to regain control are more likely to face social and cultural backlash from the masses.
Telling the right story with sufficient reinforcement from media and communications infrastructure ensures that any gains in the fight for racial justice may be more readily incorporated into the dominant culture. This is the ultimate goal of power-building efforts.
Ecosystem investments
The three pillars above are the most critical components necessary to achieve systemic reform. However, the speed at which reform occurs is heavily impacted by the ecosystem from which change efforts emerge. Ecosystem investments include philanthropic commitment to things like research, training, leadership development, building grassroots fundraising capacity, and organizing philanthropic alignment around shared values and practices. These components intersect with efforts related to structural reform, organizing, and narrative infrastructure, but can exist somewhat outside of those activities. They prep the soil for future growth and ensure community-led efforts are better positioned for success.
Perhaps surprisingly, elections also fall into this category – even in a year like 2024. Elections on their own do not shift power. The identities of elected leaders are largely inconsequential unless their presence results in shifts in governance. Our goal in electing a champion is that they will operate differently than their predecessors. If this is not the case, then our elections fail to meaningfully shift power for our communities. The true thrust of pro-democracy work is to create the conditions in which community voices are valued equitably within our political and cultural practices. Elections, while critically important, are just one component of the foundation on which the pillars of systemic change are built.
In an election year like 2024, many donors tend to think of the November election as an end date – the end of a campaign cycle and, often, the end of their democracy giving (for a while, at least). At Ktisis Capital, we encourage donors to instead think of election day as the start of a new chapter in a story we are deeply invested in. As we consider our roles as progressive funders, how are we committing our time, energy, and resources toward reinforcing the pillars of systemic change, not just during an election year, but ongoing? What role do we want to play in the next chapter of reform? These are some of the themes we continue to explore within our Democracy Learning Cohorts.
Building Connections Beyond Screens: The Power of In-Person Retreats
In today’s era of remote work, where our interactions are often limited to virtual meetings and digital communications, Ktisis Capital prioritizes community and people through our three in-person retreats each year. These gatherings are more than just an opportunity to meet face-to-face; they are essential for building a sense of belonging and mutual support among our team members. Coming together in person allows us to engage deeply with our mission, creating a more connected and collaborative work environment that extends far beyond the confines of telecommuting.
Balancing Work and Fun
While our retreats are focused on key aspects of our business, they also provide us with a much-needed opportunity to have fun together. There’s something special about sharing a laugh or a meal that strengthens our bonds in ways that professional interactions alone can’t. Some of our favorite memories include our game nights, whether we are around a ping pong table or casually playing board games; these moments of shared joy are what truly enhance our team dynamic, allowing us to connect on a personal level and appreciate the unique qualities that each team member brings to the table.
Focusing on Our Core Areas
Each retreat is structured around five critical areas of our business:
Client Management & Development
Organizational Planning
Finance & Operations
Communications & Thought Leadership
People & Culture
These areas, or "buckets," are essential for addressing the diverse needs of our clients and communities. By dedicating focused time to these areas, we ensure that our work remains effective and responsive to the challenges our clients face and to the ever-present changes to the field of philanthropy. However, it’s not just the structured sessions that make these retreats valuable; it’s the informal moments – the chats over coffee, the shared jokes, and the candid conversations – that allow us to get to know each other better, understand each other's needs and quirks, and build a stronger, more cohesive team.
Reflecting on Our Values
A key component of our retreats is the time we dedicate to discussing and reflecting on our organizational values:
Justice & Equity
Integrity & Trust
Wholeness & Complexity
Care & Kindness
Learning & Curiosity
At each gathering, we select two values to examine deeply, assessing how well we implement them and identifying areas for continued improvement. During our recent retreat in Ludington, Michigan, we focused on the values of Wholeness & Complexity and Learning & Curiosity, where we discussed how these values manifest in our work and personal interactions. Through these reflective sessions, we keep our values central to our operations, promoting continuous growth and ensuring that our actions align with our mission.
Learning Together
Another highlight of our retreats is the commitment to group learning, which is often tied to the location we are visiting. These educational experiences deepen our understanding of justice and inclusion, providing valuable insights that we can integrate into our work. For example, we visited the Savannah Civil Rights Museum during our retreat in Savannah, Georgia, where the stories of struggle and resilience profoundly moved us. We spent time touring and learning about the Tulum ruins while in Tulum, Mexico in January 2024, and were fortunate to meet with dynamic leaders in Chicago’s funding space during last fall’s retreat in the Windy City. These experiences enrich our knowledge and reinforce our commitment to justice, equity, and the importance of understanding the cultural and historical contexts in which we operate.
Looking Forward to Seattle
Our next retreat, scheduled for the end of September in Seattle, Washington, promises another opportunity for learning, growth, and team bonding. As we look forward to Seattle, I’m reminded of how these retreats are more than just business meetings. They are a chance to reconnect with our values, deepen our connections, and have a little fun.
In today’s fast-paced, digital world, it’s easy to overlook the importance of in-person connections. But at Ktisis, we know these retreats are vital to our success – not just as a company but as a community. They allow us to build the trust, understanding, and camaraderie necessary for achieving our mission and positively impacting the world. So here’s to our upcoming retreat in Seattle and to the many more moments of laughter, learning, and growth that lie ahead.
We’re not going to stumble into the democracy we’ve never had
📷 credit: Josh Barwick via Unsplash
We are at a critical juncture for the future of our democracy. From the shifting dynamics of the US presidential race to intensifying fights over election integrity and against disinformation, one takeaway is clear: democracy is in the balance.
Given the stakes, donors are very engaged around the election. But the democracy space is complex – and determining effective action can be fraught. This was the impetus for launching our Democracy Learning Cohorts, which involve monthly non-partisan donor education sessions exploring strategies and lessons for funding civic engagement and political work, with an eye toward impact between now and November 5th. Programming covers sensemaking of the 2024 elections, tips and framing for navigating the range of organizations and funds in the space, guidance on developing and refining strategy for political and 501(c)4 giving, and exploring critical questions to deepen donors’ thinking about this work.
Much of that critical questioning has centered around what’s brought us to this point in the first place, including the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, a global rise in fascism and authoritarianism, broken electoral and governance systems, retrenchments from funders of organizing, the influence of monied interests, the criminalization of protest, increasing attacks on democratic institutions, and more. Most centrally, though, are decades of concerted, multi-entity investments from the Right.
Conversely, much of these conversations have centered around how we should respond. The “too-long-didn’t read” answer is: if malicious, intentional, coordinated actions and investments brought us to this precipice, then commensurate strategic action can allow us to chart a better path. However, merely responding with commensurate effort and investments is also not enough. We must move beyond “protecting” or “preserving” democracy – for the democracy we’ve had has never worked for many people, especially populations systematically ignored or attacked by prevailing power systems and structures.
We’re not going to stumble into the democracy we’ve never had – and c3 and electoral investments are not enough. Building long-term, durable power that looks fundamentally different will require multi-entity investments that animate a multi-pronged, systems-based strategy. Those prongs include and implicate electoral victories, but just as much – if not more – prioritize co-governance, movement building, building organizing capacity, shifting structures, and pushing promising democracy reforms (e.g., reforms around automatic voter registration, redistricting, money in politics, disclosure requirements, etc.). It also requires deepening our commitments after the election, regardless of the outcome.
The Democracy Learning Cohorts are currently focused on integrating these principles and lessons into giving plans as the November election rapidly approaches – and starting to set intentions and strategies for action and investment after the election.
The throughline of these conversations is: if you haven’t given yet, the time is now.