Glossary
We have developed this glossary to promote transparency and shared understanding of the language we use. We believe that clearly articulating what we mean is a step towards dismantling historic barriers within philanthropy.
Accountability
The ways in which individuals, communities, and institutions adhere to their goals and recognize the values and groups to which they are responsible, are reflected in their practices and actions. To be accountable, one must not only be transparent with their agenda and process, but also demonstrate a commitment to actively listening to feedback and being open to the evaluation of goals and actions by others.
Advocacy
The support and promotion of an individual, organization, cause, idea, or policy through a range of strategies designed to move people and institutions to action. These strategies include messaging, research and data, power analyses, education, personal influence and persuasion, coalition-building, organizing, and collective action.
BIPOC
BIPOC is an acronym that stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. It was established as a more intentional alternative to the term "people of color" (POC) to emphasize the distinct historical oppression experienced by Black and Indigenous communities and to demonstrate solidarity among diverse communities of color. By leading with Black and Indigenous identities, BIPOC helps to counter anti-Black racism and the invisibilization of Native communities.
It is important to note that while the term BIPOC allows us to refer to shared issues faced by people of color, we are committed to avoiding generalizations and being as specific as possible when discussing identities, communities, and lived experiences.
Capacity
Capacity refers to the mix of resources and foundations that allow organizations and individuals to operate effectively, sustainably, and equitably. This includes, but is not limited to, capital, governance, and infrastructure. Full capacity ensures stable and secure conditions and emphasizes that the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of these organizations and individuals is necessary to fully utilize these resources, achieve and sustain long-term goals, and not just survive, but thrive.
Community
A community is a group of people who share common characteristics, interests, or goals and are connected socially, culturally, or geographically. Communities foster a sense of belonging, illuminate identity, and facilitate mutual support among their members.
Community organizing is the process of mobilizing and empowering individuals within a community to collectively advocate for change.
Community power is the ability of communities to influence decisions, policies, and systems that impact their lives and well-being by harnessing their collective strength and knowledge. Community power is cultivated through organizing, advocacy, and community-led coalitions.
Investment
Investment is the long-term dedication of funds, time, and other resources to communities, organizations, and movements working towards collective goals.
Impact investments are financial investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social, cultural, economic, and environmental gains alongside financial return.
Liberation
Liberation and collective liberation, deeply rooted in Black Liberation, is a state of existence where individuals can freely express their identities and navigate the world without bias, control, or violence. It emphasizes self-governance, accountability, and transparency within oneself and their community, and demands acknowledgment of oppression on all societal levels, calling for reparations and meaningful reconciliation led by those who have been targeted by oppression. It also calls for transformational changes on personal, positional, institutional, and systemic levels.
Black Liberation, a foundation of all liberation frameworks, is specifically committed to dismantling racist, oppressive systems built to suppress Black individuals and hinder their ability to thrive. It centers on the flourishing and joy inherent in Black humanity.
Movement-building
Movement-building is the long-term process of organizing and empowering individuals and organizations to collectively work towards a shared vision. It requires an authentic base, grassroots leadership, a shared ideology or narrative, broad coalition building, and strategy to create structural change beyond specific organizations or campaigns.
Narrative
Narrative shifting or narrative change is the process of wielding the power of storytelling, language, and imagery to challenge and transform narratives and stereotypes that perpetuate injustice. This includes reframing and reshaping the stories, depictions, and conversations surrounding race, culture, and identity in order to promote a more accurate, nuanced, and inclusive understanding of diverse experiences and histories.
Power
Power is the ability to define, decide, and change the conditions that shape an individual and/or community’s existence and self-determination. To build power is to equip individuals and communities with the resources and tools to advocate for their rights, needs, and interests through community organizing, leadership development, and capacity-building initiatives. Reclaiming power is a community’s reassertion of their agency and is deeply rooted in Indigenous reclamation of land, identity, and culture.
Racial Justice
Racial Justice is a commitment to dismantling the entrenched roots of racism, focusing not just on the symptoms such as racial bias, prejudice, and stereotypes, but on the core structural and institutional policies, practices, and material conditions that perpetuate injustice and inequity. It necessitates a focus and dedication to the communities most significantly and detrimentally impacted by racism.
Transformation
Transformation is lasting, meaningful change in societal structures and attitudes. In the context of our mission and vision, its goal is to confront and correct ongoing racial injustices and build a renewed world and society, established through collectively-created ways of living, working, and interacting inside of it.
It's important to acknowledge that in some cases the concept of transformation is intricately linked with Transformative Justice. Transformative Justice is an abolitionist framework designed to address harm and violence without perpetuating more harm. It emphasizes healing, accountability, resilience, and safety for everyone involved. Transformative Justice was created by and for communities harmed by systemic violence and oppression.