The Foundation for a Just Society (FJS) in partnership with Wellspring Philanthropic Fund has launched the website Resourcing Black Feminist Organising in Latin America and the Caribbean, a tool which can guide funders on how best to reach and resource Black feminist organisations within these regions.

Institutional funding within philanthropy has so far failed to reach the necessary levels of support when it comes to Black feminist organisations within Latin America and the Caribbean, which are diverse, unique and strong, as well as encompassing every issue of relevance within philanthropy.

The launch of the website follows on from the Black Feminist Fund’s January open letter to philanthropy, co-signed by FJS and Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, in which the lack of investment in philanthropy when it comes to Black feminist organisations was highlighted, with it being reported that less than 0.5 per cent of the $70 billion of global foundation giving in 2018 went towards these causes.

Hakima Abbas, The Black Feminist Fund, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director noted that ‘this website is an important reflection of the breadth of leadership of Black feminist organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean, who are building a world that is affirming of Black women and gender expansive people. When Black feminists win, social justice wins.’

The newly-launches guide will showcase the countless opportunities to fund Black feminist organisations across the regions, with this funding being a matter not just of equity but also effectiveness when it comes to successfully addressing current issues such as climate change and reproductive justice.

‘Every funder has a role to play in resourcing Black feminist organizing. Resourcing Black Feminist Organising in Latin America and the Caribbean offers entry points for funders. It is an ethical and strategic call to action to private philanthropy and public funders to step up. The website provides recommendations on how to engage, with cultural and historical awareness, with Black feminist movements across Latin America and the Caribbean, including 300 organizations and initiatives specifically named on the site’ said Nicky McIntyre, CEO, Foundation for a Just Society.

Initial research for the website, led by Jeanette Tineo Durán and a team of 16 Black women academics, artists and activists from both Latin America and the Caribbean, found that despite their powerful contributions to feminist, human rights, and social justice work, Black women also contend with racialised and gendered inequalities in the movements they are part of. The result of this is the marginalisation of Black women’s concerns across movements as well of the oversight of their leadership, issues which are intensely felt when it comes to seeking funding, resources and support.

The website aims to build on the commitment by FJS and Wellspring Philanthropic Fund to increase quality funding for feminist organizations led by those most affected by injustice.

Foundation for a Just Society advances the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQI people and promotes gender and racial justice by ensuring those most affected by injustice have the resources they need to cultivate the leadership and solutions that transform our world.

Wellspring Philanthropic Fund is a private foundation dedicated to advancing the realization of human rights and the effective advancement of social justice for all people.

Resourcing Black Feminist Organising in Latin America and the Caribbean can be found here: blackfeministlac.org

Simon Hungin is a freelance writer that supports Alliance magazine.