Decolonizing Wealth: A Call to Action for Philanthropy

Our university garnered a record number of gifts and dollars this past Wednesday for Giving Day in no small part due to funds aimed at historically marginalized communities. The Office of Diversity & Inclusion led all departments with 1,321 donors and many funds in the Division of Student Affairs also went to underserved communities here at Maryland. 

I have to be honest with you, though, I did not feel good about giving.

I spent a lot of time grappling with the tragic irony of paying back into an institution that was working to address the inequity that they themselves created. How does that make sense? Why do we hold to these traditional practices of philanthropy that have often perpetuated inequalities and that continue to uphold colonialist power structures?

I’ve been reading Edgar Villanueva’s book, “Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance,” where he challenges philanthropic organizations and donors to rethink their approaches and actively work towards decolonization. At the heart of his message is the recognition that philanthropy, as it exists today, is deeply rooted in colonialism. The accumulation and distribution of wealth have historically been controlled by a privileged few, while indigenous peoples and communities of color have been marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes. 

Here’s what’s stood out to me most in his message to decolonize wealth and promote social justice:

Shifting Power Dynamics: Philanthropic organizations must shift power dynamics by centering the voices and needs of marginalized communities. This involves actively listening to their perspectives, valuing their lived experiences, and involving them in decision-making processes.

Cultivating Relationships: Genuine and respectful relationships with communities are essential. Rather than imposing solutions from the top-down, philanthropic organizations should engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration to understand community priorities and needs.

Redistributing Wealth Equitably: Villanueva advocates for a more equitable distribution of wealth within philanthropy. This means allocating funding to initiatives that address root causes of social injustice and systemic oppression, rather than merely treating symptoms.

Investing in Leadership: Supporting diverse leadership within philanthropic organizations and community initiatives is crucial. Investing in leadership development programs for individuals from marginalized backgrounds helps cultivate a pipeline of future leaders who can drive systemic change.

Decolonizing Grantmaking Practices: Philanthropic organizations should examine and challenge their grantmaking practices to ensure they are not reinforcing colonialist power structures. This may involve revising criteria, processes, and decision-making mechanisms to be more inclusive and responsive to community needs.

Practicing Restorative Philanthropy: Adopting a restorative approach involves acknowledging historical injustices and actively working to repair harm caused by colonization and systemic oppression. This includes funding initiatives that promote cultural revitalization, land sovereignty, and economic empowerment for indigenous peoples and marginalized communities.

Promoting Systems Change: Beyond providing financial support, philanthropic organizations should leverage their influence and resources to advocate for policy changes and systemic reforms that advance social justice and equity at a broader societal level.

This is tough because I’m trying to thread a very delicate needle. I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t give to UMD, to DSA, or to programs that directly benefit the students we work for and care about. I would like to give voice to something I’m struggling with internally, though. “The master’s tools will neerWe didn’t build Giving Day. We don’t decide what funds get prioritized and we don’t decide how those funds get allocated. We can’t control which students get admitted and which students graduate and excel past their careers at this university.

But, we can contribute to the collective effort to decolonize wealth, redistribute resources more equitably, and support initiatives that promote social justice, and community empowerment. Philanthropy can be a force for justice, equity, and liberation for all communities; and, we can be part of creating a more just and equitable Maryland.