Learn how white fundraising culture shapes nonprofits, what it costs Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-led organizations, and how to build equitable alternatives.

Most nonprofit fundraising was built by and for white-dominant organizations (often, with white donors in mind). For example, leading every donor communication with scarcity and urgency, centering donors over community dignity, and expecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color staff to perform gratitude and manage wealthy donors' feelings as part of their job description. This session applies Tema Okun's white supremacy culture framework directly to fundraising and development. We’ll name where these norms show up, what they cost BIPOC-led organizations specifically, and what it looks like to build something different.

Goals:

• Name the specific ways white-dominant fundraising culture shows up in nonprofit fundraising

• Understand what these norms cost BIPOC-led and equity-rooted organizations, in terms of revenue, staff, and mission integrity

• Identify concrete places in your own fundraising culture where something different is possible

What you'll leave with:

• A framework for identifying where white fundraising culture is operating in your own development program

• Specific examples of what it looks like to disrupt those norms in practice

• An honest picture of where your organization's fundraising culture is — and isn't — aligned with your values.

This session is for executive directors, development directors, and anyone who fundraises in their nonprofit, or who is curious to learn more about it.