New Trends in Philanthropy to Support Racial Equity and Learners of Color

Socioeconomic factors such as income have historically driven equity-focused education grant funding. The events of 2020, from the murder of George Floyd and other Black Americans to the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened scrutiny into ongoing racial injustice and disparities in the United States. In fall 2021, Grantmakers for Education set out to determine whether and how many of its members were moving from intention to action, making grantmaking decisions with explicit attention to racial and ethnic groups that have been historically marginalized. Results show it is clear there is movement among Grantmakers for Education members to increase support for racial equity. However, to really make a difference, funders need to be ready to maintain funding for the long term. With contentious elections on the horizon that will place race and education at the center of many divisive debates, will funders stay the course? Working together can move intention to action to support racial equity and justice for learners nationwide.