Giving Compass' Take:

• In this Medium post, the Insight Center for Community Economic Development's Anne Price describes the complex, but important work that must be done in the field of racial justice funding and why perspective matters.

• The biggest takeaway is to make sure that philanthropists don't buy into a separation of data and the emotional pull of grassroots organizing: They are intricately connected.

• Here are some practical ideas for improving equity and inclusion at nonprofits.

Since the November 2016 election, one of the key questions circulating in the philanthropic community interested in working on racial justice has been, “How can we support resistance efforts?”

Funders responded to the election with rapid response funds for movement building efforts and, for many, a renewed focus on long-term support for grassroots organizing. While these efforts are commendable and absolutely important, we are witnessing an unintended consequence  —  a hesitancy to support research within the field of racial justice funding.

It is important to understand that this perspective comes from thinking about research from an "ivory tower" frame, and does a huge disservice to researchers of color who see their work as integral to organizing efforts and the larger movement to racial justice.

We do research that resonates with the people. At the end of the day we are sociologists and our job, especially as Black sociologists, is to unveil the experiences of those who are alienated, dispossessed, and exploited. We represent their voice because fundamentally we want to make this world a better place for all of our people.

Anthony Jackson, quoted above, represents a number of scholar activists who are grounded in the understanding and perspectives of communities most affected by racial injustice. They connect their research to social justice efforts aimed at making systemic change. For many scholars, particularly scholars of color focused on racial justice, activism emerges from a deep emotional response to an unjust world. These scholars call on us to imagine new ways of addressing this current struggle ...

It is divisive and unfair to separate research from grassroots organizing for communities of color. Researchers of color don’t know how to leave our struggles, our community’s needs, “at the door” in our work. For us, it is all connected.

Read the full article about grassroots activism and philanthropy by Anne Price at Insight Center for Community Economic Development, via Medium.

Funders responded to the election with rapid response funds for movement building efforts and, for many, a renewed focus on long-term support for grassroots organizing. While these efforts are commendable and absolutely important, we are witnessing an unintended consequence — a hesitancy to support research within the field of racial justice funding.