Closing the Gap
OVERVIEW
The Closing the Gap Initiative (CTG) engaged a wide group of partners to expedite closing the gap in funding so that BIPOC-led organizations working on climate change in the environmental movement are equally supported as white-led climate organizations.
NEW RESEARCH REPORT
The CTG research team of the Inclusion Diversity, and Equity in Environmental Philanthropy (InDEEP) initiative set out to quantify the gap in environmental and conservation philanthropy and to identify a set of practices that could help the philanthropic sector close the gap.
Despite the value of BIPOC-led work in this field, the InDEEP researchers found that white-led organizations are more resourced and better funded than BIPOC-led organizations. An analysis of data from Candid for the five-year period from 2014 through 2018 found that the funding gap between white-led and BIPOC-led environmental and conservation organizations is approximately $2.7 billion.
The report includes recommendations about how funders can change their practices to close the gap.
COMPONENTS OF THE LEARNING JOURNEY
Some 15 foundations (two representatives each) participated in a six month learning journey with their peers. Participants charted a new path by creating a shared understanding of how we can transform our conventional environmental and climate grantmaking practices, policies, and structures to establish trust-based, equitable, and inclusive partnerships to support BIPOC-led work.
Learning community workshops for the spring 2021 LAC were held April 20, May 25, June 22 and July 20, 2021, each from 2:00 - 5:15 pm CT.
For more information on Closing the Gap contact admin@khandassociates.com.