Editorial - What is social justice philanthropy?

This issue of Alliance looks at social justice philanthropy: what it is, how it is distinct from other forms of philanthropy, who supports it, and what it looks like in different country contexts. While there are funders based in the United States that focus on social justice philanthropy and among whom the term is commonly used, the phenomenon is more nascent outside the United States for a number of reasons.

In some countries, philanthropy itself (outside perhaps religious giving) is uncommon; in others there is a certain expectation about the government’s role in providing safety net services and addressing issues of inequity; in yet others, an enabling environment for philanthropy is lacking (whether because of the laws governing foundations or public perceptions of corruption).

Social justice philanthropy has the potential to facilitate long-term progressive social change by funding groups at the margins whose voices are not normally heard, by challenging the status quo, and by addressing the root causes of poverty and inequity. However, challenges abound and some are outlined in this issue – scepticism owing to its newness in philanthropic circles, uncertainties about accessing sufficient broad-based donor support, and finding ways to measure impact.

I would also add the challenge of not only supporting grassroots groups (which is very important and which is often an emphasis among social justice philanthropies) but also finding effective ways to support the shaping of policy agendas at the subregional, regional and global levels, as well as linking local community organizing to larger debates occurring in national and international arenas.

Sushma Raman
Program Officer, Philanthropy and Civil Society, Ford Foundation – New Delhi