INDEEP ENGAGEMENT

Since its inception, InDEEP has optimized its reach and engagement with environmental funders through in-person sessions, webinars, a community of practice, and tailored technical assistance. 

In-Person Sessions

InDEEP engages individuals through Peer Learning Exchanges, Environmental Grantmakers of Color Convenings, and How to Be a Better White Ally sessions.

Peer Learning Exchanges

The InDEEP Peer Learning Exchanges provide a space for peers in environmental grantmaking to participate in learning, skills building, and engagement specifically on racial equity and social justice with peers in environmental grantmaking. Topics addressed include:

• How to Get Started with Racially Equitable, Socially Just Philanthropic Practices (January 2017)

• The How-tos of Diversifying the Portfolio (July 2017)

• Environmental Grantmakers’ Roles for Putting Communities of Color and Other Impacted Communities at the Forefront of the Environmental Field (January 2018)

• Creating Transformational Impact – Integrated Environmental Grantmaking (May 2018).

environmental grantmakers of color convenings

Environmental Grantmakers of Color Convenings meet the expressed desire among funders of color for a focused and trusted space to share their experiences. These sessions cultivate a space for open, sharing of challenges; to reinforce institutional linkages; and to leverage capacities in service of a more socially just, racially equitable sector. 

How to be a better white ally

How to Be a Better White Ally meet the expressed desire among funders who identify as white for a focused and trusted space to discuss shared challenges and experiences; develop deeper skills as allies; and discuss how to use their privilege to assist in moving environmental philanthropy to a more equitable state.

Webinars

InDEEP engages environmental grantmakers through webinars, including the  How to Get Started and Diversifying your Portfolio webinar series. InDEEP webinars, offered independently and in collaboration with environmental affinity groups, provide a space for showcasing funders' experiences initiating and advancing equitable grantmaking practices; exploring funding relationships between grantmakers and grantees; and engaging in candid dialogue around strategies and approaches for advancing a more equitable, inclusive environmental sector. 

Embedding Equity Community of Practice

In January 2018, InDEEP launched the Embedding Equity Community of Practice (CoP) – a learning network including management-level foundation professionals working to advance racial equity through internal foundation policies, practices, and workplace culture. Five foundations – Energy Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, Mertz Gilmore Foundation, and S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation – are currently members of the CoP.