ABFE's Reparations Curriculum for Funders: A Timely Tool to Advance an Equity Agenda
As philanthropic organizations strive for equity, reparations offer a logical and multifaceted solution to rectify historical injustices that have long undermined our nation’s commitment to achieving “liberty and justice for all.”
As wealth disparities persist under the weight of white institutional supremacy, compounded by ongoing voter suppression and systemic violence targeting Black communities, reparations have become increasingly recognized as a key policy capable of addressing these deep-rooted injustices and now is the time to act. This global movement is gaining momentum, and philanthropy plays a critical role in this work.
ABFE is uniquely positioned to guide philanthropy in navigating reparations through a comprehensive, equity-focused lens. ABFE offers many components designed to help the sector take actionable steps toward repair and justice including our Philanthropic Advising Services (PAS) and newly released Reparations Curriculum, offering a structured path in collective learning and thoughtful exploration of design decisions and current debates.
In the face of anti-DEI backlash, equity fatigue, and rising hostility to progress, ABFE recognizes that it's important for philanthropy to be proactive, not paralyzed. This is why ABFE’s reparations curriculum focuses on bridging the gap between intention and action, providing clients with hands-on opportunities to utilize our knowledge, strategic advisement, and essential tools for impactful change. When reparations are integrated into our philanthropic practices, we inspire and invoke meaningful change that resonates with ABFE's core values of equity, justice, and humanity.
All ABFE’s curricula, including the reparations curriculum, are grounded in our Responsive Philanthropy in Black Communities (RPBC) Framework. It’s core tenets include:
- Civic Engagement & Political Power
- Community Organizing & People Power
- Policy, Advocacy & System Reform
- Research & Intellectual Capital
- Communications & Narrative Change
- Leadership Development & Infrastructure
- Economic Development & Power
Our reparations curriculum and essential services are designed to be adaptable for staff, trustees, donors, grantees, and other stakeholders, focusing on four key themes:
1. Reparations is Not a New Idea.
Reparations have historical precedent across the globe, dating back centuries and involving various harmed groups. Many reparations movements and repair programs are active today, and several seek to repair harm done to Black people specifically. In the context of the so-called “DEI Backlash,” reparations are misrepresented as extreme and unrealistic. But this perception couldn’t be further from the truth.
Through this curriculum, participants will learn how we can tackle all of these intersecting issues through one solution while keeping equity at the center.
2. Reparations is Personal.
Fear and insecurity about reparations often stem from deep-seated myths and feelings of shame, diverting attention from the true purpose of philanthropy: fostering justice and equity for all. Reparations is about setting aside the individual to ensure an equitable future for everyone.. It requires confronting uncomfortable realities and critically evaluating the past. Repairing this harm goes beyond mere financial compensation; it demands a comprehensive approach that recognizes and addresses the profound emotional and psychological damage inflicted over generations.
ABFE’s reparations curriculum will help institutions navigate these challenging conversations, positioning yourself as a solutions-oriented leader in this critical dialogue.
3. Reparations is an Opportunity to Strengthen Organizational Culture.
This work and commitment are not just about individual healing; it's about reshaping institutional and organizational cultures and fostering environments that promote true understanding and change.
Through this curriculum and your dedication to this work, we are supporting a world where justice and racial equity is actively practiced.
4. Reparations is Narrative Change.
“That’s our money.” This powerful sentiment is gaining traction among individuals from historically or currently oppressed groups in discussions about philanthropy. There is an increasing awareness that much of the wealth accumulated by philanthropic institutions is often rooted in exploitation, whether in the past or the present. Once this premise is accepted, philanthropy is simply the exercise of returning that wealth to the communities it was extracted from as expeditiously as possible. In essence, philanthropy becomes a form of reparations.
The Reparations Curriculum helps identify dominant narratives and uses this alternative narrative to reverse traditional power dynamics in philanthropy. New narratives can transform organizational culture, and in turn, create a new logic for decision making related to grantmaking and internal systems.
These intentional and actionable steps ensure philanthropy remains a driver of structural change. The time for change is now, and we must be bold in pushing this forward. Don't Know Where to Start with Reparations?
We invite you to join us on Wednesday, October 30th, from 1 to 4:30 PM EDT, for the next session in our Wednesday Workshop Community Series, “Philanthropic Reparations for Black People: An Idea Whose Time Has Come,” where we will delve into the critical intersection of reparations and philanthropy.
To learn more and get engaged, you can also visit ABFE’s Philanthropic Advising Services webpage or fill out our inquiry form to schedule a discovery call with ABFE’s PAS team. Join us in making reparations a cornerstone of our collective efforts for equity and justice.