Strengthening Grassroots Organizations Through Trust-Based Capacity Building

On Wednesday, March 23, Resilia had the privilege to host a roundtable discussion at PEAK2022 Online, a signature event of PEAK Grantmaking’s program. This weeklong conference brought the grantmaking community together to imagine how their work can truly embody what PEAK stands for: Principles, Equity, Advocacy, and Knowledge. The virtual event consisted of three inspiring keynotes, interactive peer dialogues, skill-building breakouts, and networking opportunities. 

Led by Resilia's Founder and CEO, Sevetri Wilson, the roundtable included representatives from foundations with social justice and grassroots initiatives, along with a nonprofit partner: 

• Daryle W. Unseld Jr., (Former) Chief Impact Officer for Metro United Way (MUW), President & CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana

• Michelle Kauhane, Senior Vice President of Community Grants & Initiatives at Hawaii Community Foundation.
  

• Michelle Fries, Director of Nonprofit Leadership and Support Services at Silicon Valley Community Foundation
  

• Sheryll Durrant, Resident Garden Manager of Kelly Street Garden and Board President of Just Food NYC

Each place-based funder is driving systemic change by enabling Resilia’s "beyond the grant" support. The approach has been to strengthen grassroots organizations by working backward from their specific needs and preferred channels of support. 

The panelists focused on grassroots organizations, specifically those led by and serving communities of color, that are struggling to access capacity-building support that suits their needs. “Grassroots organizations are the solution to the challenges we are trying to solve as a community. They are closest to the challenge and they are the best solution builders for the systems change that we all talk about in philanthropy." - Michelle Kauhane. 

The conversation centered on building a trust-based methodology responsive to grassroots nonprofits' mission-facing and back-office needs by meeting them where they are. A few key takeaways include:

• Capacity goes beyond monetary gifts. “We need resources to always be able to have those operational expenses covered so that we can concentrate on the work that needs to be done. We need the same resources to be able to train our folks in leadership skills. We don’t have enough of that.” - Sheryll Durrant
  

• Going beyond crisis funding to truly achieve trust-based funding and capacity building. “We need to ensure that we’re providing support, opportunities, and acknowledging the wellness and resiliency of leaders, particularly leaders of color that are being heavily relied on to be there for their communities. The wellness of these leaders is critical in terms of keeping the work moving and the progress that we are collectively making in equity and justice. - Michelle Fries
  

• Supporting BIPOC led grassroots organizations to the point where they can thrive and serve their communities. “Achieving philanthropic equity means that we have to go beyond just exposing gaps. We have to expose the root causes behind those gaps and be intentional about transforming systems of oppression for transformative changes which will require leadership, strategic partnerships, foundational infrastructure, and more importantly involving impacted people and communities and their own solutions. We have to move from intent to action.” - Daryle W. Unseld Jr.

Each of these participants has partnered with Resilia. To learn more about some of the partnerships, visit:

• Resilia Launches New Collaboration to Strengthen Latinx and BIPOC-Led Organizations in Silicon Valley

• Metro United Way in Louisville Partners with Resilia for Flagship Black L.O.V.E. Philanthropic Partnership

• 12 Funders & Resilia Launch a National Initiative to Help Strengthen BIPOC-Led/Serving Nonprofits Across the Country