By Patrice Lockert Anthony, Black Label Consulting and Coaching

Attending to racial equity without addressing racial justice is akin to having all manner of roof leaks using pots, pans, and buckets, to address the constantly dripping water rather than fixing the damaged roof. The holes get bigger, the structure grows weak, then weaker still, and over time the damage to the house is catastrophic.

Is this an issue with philanthropic donors, or the organizations that solicit the donations and then choose mostly white-led companies to address the needs of BIPOC communities? It is both.

Philanthropists who are answering the call for racial justice will need to specify that either the entirety of their gift, or a stated percentage of their gift be earmarked for racial justice work. Philanthropic organizations will need to make it clear that they are doing the work of racial justice and solicit donations that are earmarked for this work. That doesn’t mean that no other monies are solicited or gifted. It means, simply, that on the sides of both the donor and the distribution channels, that the need for racial justice is recognized, acknowledged, and actively addressed.

Over the next several months this column will profile Community Foundation board members and interns who have their feet in the philanthropic world, and so lend their person-of-color lens and experiences to the work of shining light on philanthropy and communities of color.

The column will allow us to get a sense of who they are, why they choose to work with Community Foundation, and their take on issues of racial justice and how philanthropic interests might address those issues. The column will also take a look at community members and individuals who live as, and work with, people-of-color to grow strong roots for racial justice.

Finally, let’s be clear that racial equity has its place, but ultimately, it is the “pots and pans” approach to healthy communities and healing the societal chasms created by [well over a dozen] generations of racial inequities. Racial justice is “fixing the roof” by working with leaders who look like, and live in the same spaces (communities) as the people whose marginalization needs addressing if we are serious about our pledges and promises…made in somber sincerity, yet all too subject to distraction, dismissal, and the abstraction of marking the money for internal company “diversity efforts” rather than a dissemination of funds into the actual communities (more on this in next month’s column — stay tuned).

We hope these columns spark an interest, peak curiosity. We hope they encourage conversation — at the dinner table and at the office water cooler. We look forward to taking part in, and listening, when the conversations happen.

Josie McAllister of Dermatology Associates of Ithaca shares in this 2 minute excerpt about resilience and what she is grateful for.

This gift is from the proceeds of all CFCU tee shirt sales during the 2021 Downtown Summer Concert Series. 

Did you miss it? Hear from Heather Campbell, Gladys Brangman, Sandy True, Stacey Murphy and others in this video recording.

The Community Foundation's Tompkins Today and Tomorrow Fund provided a $10,000 grant launching the Community Arts Partnership (CAP) Creative Recovery Fund; for community-focused arts and cultural projects that are making a difference in our community’s recovery in the focus areas of racial justice, public and mental health, economic recovery, and climate disaster. Find out which projects were funded Learn more

Established in memory of

the amazing Beckie (spelled like cookie)

Grants from this fund will make it possible for young people to shine their lights brightly, helping remarkable youth theater continue to create the magic. Learn more

Storytime at the Lodi Whittier Library included special four-footed guests from Cabin View Alpacas, excited young and old alike.

Bernard and Shirley Rosen Library Fund made a $15,281 grant towards the Summer Reading Program 2021 Tales & Tails and Tyke Tales Storytime. This fund is designated for youth programming within the 33 libraries of the Finger Lakes Library System, providing unique opportunities bringing together curiosity, the love of learning and new community connections.

During a laid-back conversation, Aiden, Bradie and Luke, three teens staffers at the Groton Public Library, shared how their library makes a difference in the community. They share the common experience of getting involved with the library through their school, and other interactions in their community.

One high schooler, began volunteering at the library with the Healthy Tuesday program, created in 2013 by his grandmother, Ruth Williams and library director, Sara Knobel. The healthy and yummy food provided through grocer donations, supplements food budgets of families in need.

The teen explains this is just one way the library is a community hub improving the community as well as describes the library as “the heart of the community” and keeps the environment ticking and lively!

Thank you Jewels Fund, Lane Family Fund and the McPheron Family Fund for providing youth employment funding.

Teen staff also assist with children activities such as “Tails and Tales” along with other summer programs for youth, cooking and nutrition related activities and much more. Read more

The annual Philanthropy Magnified Reception recognizes our most generous supporters, HEROES Circle, and Legacy Society. This year's event was held at CRS Barn Studio, recognizing a unique blend of the arts and agriculture.

Announcing: $1,775,362 in 502 Grants, with Current Assets of $26.9 Million

Thanks to the Generosity of $2,337,703 Donated to date by 329 Donors in 542 Gifts. Read more