A word from our founder on our inception the impact of COVID-19 on our grantmaking, and our evolving funding philosophy
By Elsa Gomes Bondlow, CEO of the Social Equity Access Fund
Flipping the Traditional Philanthropic Script
The Social Equity Access Fund originated, during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the naive and aspirational hope for a quick solution to the pandemic and the understanding of what we were really dealing with, was null. Since then, so much has happened. those naive and aspirational feelings have evolved into the recognition of our limitations along with a hopeful ingenuity to act more and change things as we go, rather than waiting for a perfect solution to get started. We have a clearer understanding of how systems of oppression and systems of opportunity intersect, interrupt, and are interchangeably linked to our lives in ways that previously, only a few epidemiologists in academia, public health experts, and other social sciences specialists knew and talked about. We understand how much social equity and access play a pivotal role in whether or not people survive and thrive, during the pandemic and beyond.
This pandemic has humbled us and humanized us all, even those who unfortunately perished due to it. By reminding us of our shared humanity, it leveled the playing field on our mortality, gave us a renewed focus on personal wellbeing, and spotlighted collective wellness, while at the same time, it exposed the need for real investments in the social fabric of our communities, which are instrumental in order to have a thriving society. It made us all rethink how we approach, consider, and value ourselves and each other within the context of our broader society and within our communities.
Globally, we were forced to reflect on the value of our bodies, our health, our survival, and of those in our economy who are likely uninsured, underpaid, and overexposed to most health risks – the unseen grocery bagger, the delivery person, or the food truck driver. We realized that the connections we depended on for so much, were quickly recast in our reality, from zeros to heroes (while many simultaneously still debated if they were worthy of the minimum wage that unfortunately many of them still do not receive.) At the same time, we now question, perhaps more critically than ever, the ridiculously increasing net worth of the wealthier amongst us. Those who, for example, can shield themselves from us all due to their wealth, whether by working from home while demanding their employees go back to the office, or by driving to work in lieu of using public transportation, or have goods delivered to them instead of visiting stores, all while growing their incomes and savings, but minimizing their own risk for exposure to nefarious health risks.
We believe that unrestricted direct support to nonprofit organizations, that are working alongside struggling communities, can have the most significant impact on long-lasting change. During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Social Equity Access Fund invested in hundreds of individuals and families with direct cash assistance for basic needs. That first investment not only grew but the scope transformed from individual assistance into what it is doing currently, supporting the nonprofit partner organizations that are often struggling to serve those individuals.
Flipping the Traditional Philanthropic Script
“With the Social Equity Access Fund, we flipped the script, and asked, listened, and trusted the community to know the solutions to their needs best.”
In many cases, those with lived experience in most societal problems, are left out of the decisions made about their own lives and their futures. With the Social Equity Access Fund, we flipped the script, and asked, listened, and trusted the community to know the solutions to their needs best. We have distributed funds to organizations actively working to decrease economic oppression, with very few limiting constraints, after sincere conversations with each potential grantee partner. We were able to empower communities, with targeted funding interventions, through a difficult time that continues 2+ years later, tackling the everchanging emergencies nonprofits are facing at the moment. However, we know more still needs to be done to lead to lasting social change and to shake-up the status quo of the philanthropic landscape. Although we all innately have the understanding and capability of acting generously, we often ignore the urge, and do not practice it as regularly or as well as we can. The list of what we can do around us is long, but we can tackle the items one by one, by just starting. Here are some ideas we have put into practice with the fund:
· We continue to uplift and support marginalized voices in underserved communities.
· We are all realizing that wellness and well-being in communities center around, not just one individual or a family’s physical or mental health, but societal infrastructures like housing, education level, healthcare access, air quality, and the environment we are exposed to.
· With our fund, we are working to establish an interconnected system of change, not just disrupt one of the areas of the system.
· We aim to inspire a change in philanthropy by uplifting the voices of changemakers on the frontlines of social justice.
· We have given access, by making pivotal introductions, that continue to lead to potential partnerships and resource sharing.
Our work and commitment to raising more funds to distribute to more 501c3 partner organizations won’t stop any time soon, because the work continues until we see the community needs all met. Let us work ourselves out of a job with our community needs, because by banding together diligently to support each other, investing in the fight for social justice and liberation, we have the power to make ripples of change that can correct wrongs, uplift others, bridge gaps and potentially even save lives.
We invite you to join us on our journey to becoming better listeners, advocates, and allies and help us promote social equity and access. Will you join us?