RACE EQUITY INITIATIVE
With the support of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, in 2020 SVP established this four-part initiative in response to the racial disparities made unavoidably apparent by COVID-19 and the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others. Closing the opportunity gap requires an explicit focus on systemic change to eliminate racial inequities.
RACE EQUITY FUND
In 2020, SVP Partners raised $200,000 to fund a pilot for participatory grantmaking that will serve as a model of fundamental change in decision-making for the Connecticut philanthropic community.
While funded primarily by SVP Partners, the funding decisions were made by a grantmaking committee comprised of community leaders and activists who are intimately knowledgeable about the issues and needs of their respective communities. This “democratization of philanthropy” was designed to yield a more informed, efficient allocation of resources. We are leaning from this in order to incorporate a greater level community input into SVP’s process for selecting and funding our future community partners.
LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
Working closely with Five Frogs, a state-wide organization building a powerful movement of diverse, representative social impact leaders working together for an equitable Connecticut, SVP Partners serve as working partners with leaders of color for mutual knowledge sharing and social capital building.
SYSTEMIC CHANGE FOR RACIAL EQUITY
We are tapping our growing corps of volunteer Partners to more fully engage with organizations working for systemic change throughout the state. This work may include: criminal justice, education, health care, housing, essential needs, employment, etc.
PARTNER LEARNING/EDUCATION
As part of the Race Equity Initiative, SVP offers workshops, discussions, guided learning and educational programs for SVP Partners on topics including racism, equity, and intersectionality with other factors such as poverty. These sessions and learning experiences will also augment Partners' ability to work effectively with SVP's community-based organizations.
