Shifting, Making Space and Sharing Power in Philanthropy

The last 17 months have been a critical time for Toronto Foundation and the Canadian philanthropic sector as a whole. COVID-19, though a global public health pandemic, exposed the systemic and pervasive inequities that exist in our country that can no longer be ignored. The murder of George Floyd ignited a firestorm and wake-up call for the need to do better and to tangibly address the racial, social and economic inequities that exist. Reflecting on the opportunity for philanthropic action in late summer of 2020, Toronto Foundation convened a leadership table of BIPOC leaders and community members in the non-profit sector from across Toronto to lead the development of a new fund now known as the Black and Indigenous Futures Fund. 

This fund was designed to support Black and Indigenous leaders, organizations, and grassroots groups who are best equipped to identify and advance solutions for their communities. Also, the essence of this fund was to shift and share power by having the community now lead in its development. From the early conversations surrounding the racial reckoning, the different ways that applicants could apply, supporting non-qualified donees, this presentation will outline how Toronto Foundation shifted to address the realities happening in the community and to make philanthropy more equitable.   

By the end of this session, attendees will leave with a deeper understanding: The backdrop for why Toronto Foundation (TF) created the Black and Indigenous Futures Fund How TF developed and executed the program. Have insights on some of the key lessons learned (to date)

Presenter: Phylicia Davis-Wesseling (she/her/hers), Community Relations Officer

Toronto Foundation

pdavis-wesseling@torontofoundation.ca