| About
Us
Mission
The mission of GIFT is to change the color of philanthropy by developing
and strengthening the grassroots fundraising skills of individuals
and organizations working for social justice, with an emphasis on
communities of color.
History
The Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (GIFT) was founded
by the Center for Third World Organizing in Oakland, CA and the
Southern Empowerment Project in Maryville, TN in 1996 to address
a critical shortage of progressive fundraisers of color, to strengthen
grassroots organizations working for social change, and to contribute
to the building of progressive movements for social change.
Goals
We
believe that fundraising is a vital part of a movement for social
change. To help organizations fundraise more effectively, we offer
the following programs: Internship Program, Training for Trainers,
Fundraising Action Trainings, and Training & Consulting Services.
In partnership with the Grassroots Fundraising Journal, we also
offer a magazine, and other useful written and online resources.
Specifically
GIFT’s goals are:
- Recruit, train, and graduate people of color who are committed
to working in social justice organizations.
- Develop people of color as fundraising trainers and consultants
with an understanding of GIFT’s vision and commitment to
social justice.
- Teach social justice organizations the skills needed to diversify
their sources of funds and build a base of donors from within
their constituency.
- Document and publish case studies of philanthropy directly related
to people of color and social movements.
- Link and promote social justice fundraising and organizing as
a form of political action.
- Build and maintain a grassroots institute that incorporates
training, organizing, research, and publishing.
Political
Framework
In an era of unfettered global capitalism and a sharply widening
gap between rich and poor, we believe that people of color have
been historically and systematically excluded from controlling our
own economic bases. GIFT seeks to redress historic racial and economic
inequalities through the growth of progressive social movement organizations
to build movements for justice.
We believe that
social justice organizations should be “owned” by the
grassroots communities they serve. Ownership means that the community
provides significant support to the organization. This means that
support comes from diverse sources, and that it takes the form of
monetary and other contributions. The community should support the
organization’s program and budget: the organization should
be accountable to the community and serve the community’s
needs. Ownership also means that the poor and people of color are
responsible for all aspects of the organization including leadership,
financial management and fundraising.
- The financial support of an organization or movement is a key
indicator of true ownership and interest by communities.
- Financial contributions to organizations can and should be made
by people on ALL income levels. The poor and working class can
and should help to finance their own liberation.
We also
believe that social justice requires more than “ownership”
of community organizations. It also requires a critical analysis
of race, money, wealth and power as well as the development and
implementation of strategies for social change.
A key economic
power is the ability to raise funds for causes that benefit the
disenfranchised, who are disproportionately of color.
- People of color are critically under-represented as fundraisers
and as donors for non-profit organizations.
Our
aim is to help build a diverse movement for justice that is based
on the fundamental principle of self-determination for the poor
and people of color. This movement stands in opposition to the devastation
caused by economic policies of globalization and their attendant
racism, classism, homophobia, sexism and ableism.
- We want to strengthen organizations and individuals that also
embrace this belief.
We
believe that social justice organizations should and can be less dependent
on foundations and corporations for financial support.
- Most money given to non-profits comes from individuals.
- Foundations can influence the direction and focus of organizations
and can move an organization away from its mission.
- Corporate giving is motivated by publicity and the bottom line,
not community needs.
We
present this political framework to provide an understanding of
the larger vision and goals of the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising
Training. It guides all our activities and programs, and we incorporate
these beliefs into our curricula.
Contact
Us
Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training
1904 Franklin Street, Suite 705
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 452-4520
Fax: (510) 452-2122
Email: info@grassrootsfundraising.orginfo@grassrootsfundraising.org
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