A British Grantmaker Goes Away

A philanthropic concern in the UK discovers problems with philanthropy and quietly bows out

The readership of this newsletter is broad and wide. We have readers in over three dozen countries on all six continents. One of the overseas places our newsletter has taken off is the United Kingdom, where we have dozens of readers. So, when an opportunity comes to talk about something happening the UK with philanthropy, we owe it to our friends over there to take a look at it and provide a little analysis of the philanthropic world outside the US bubble. It is with those thoughts in mind that I cam across this piece in The Guardian.

In a courageous and thought-provoking move, a major UK charitable foundation has made headlines by announcing its self-abolition. Lankelly Chase, with a substantial endowment of £130m (or $170 Million in US Dollars), has recognized the problematic nature of traditional philanthropy as a "function of colonial capitalism." By relinquishing control of its assets and redirecting resources towards life-affirming social justice work, Lankelly Chase seeks to reimagine the relationship between wealth, capital, and social justice. This transformative decision highlights a broader trend, both in the UK and the US, where philanthropic foundations are actively engaging in conversations about decolonizing their practices and dismantling the entrenched systems of colonialism.

Confronting the Contradictions:

Lankelly Chase, known for its significant annual grants supporting social, racial, and climate justice causes, has reached a critical juncture. While its charitable mission aims to tackle racism, injustice, and inequality, the foundation struggled to reconcile this mission with its role as a major investor in global capital markets that perpetuate racial and colonial exploitation. The foundation recognized the interconnectedness of the social, climate, and economic crises facing the world today and concluded that the traditional philanthropy model remains entangled with colonial capitalism, inadvertently perpetuating the harms of the past into the present.

By relinquishing control of its assets, including the endowment and all resources, Lankelly Chase seeks to create space for the free flow of funds towards organizations engaged in life-affirming social justice work. The foundation's decision serves as a call to action, challenging other endowed foundations to critically assess their practices and embrace profound change. While recognizing that not all foundations will follow the same path, Lankelly Chase believes that the time has come for an honest examination of the status quo.

To exemplify its commitment to redistributing resources, Lankelly Chase announced its intention to grant £8m (roughly $10.5 Million USD) to the Baobab Foundation, a funding body dedicated to supporting under-resourced grassroots UK black and African community organizations. This initial step provides a glimpse into the foundation's plan for asset redistribution and signifies its commitment to empowering marginalized communities.

Lankelly Chase's Chief Executive, Julian Corner, boldly stated that philanthropy itself is a product of colonial capitalism, shaped and driven by it. The foundation acknowledges the contradiction of positioning philanthropy as a remedy for the ills of colonial capitalism while being complicit in its perpetuation. As Lankelly Chase embarks on the five-year journey of asset redistribution, it aims to foster an open and honest debate about the relevance and structure of philanthropic foundations. Ambitious conversations will be held to assess whether current foundation models are truly aligned with the principles of social justice.

Lankelly Chase is cognizant of the risks associated with simply transferring capital to new intermediaries, potentially perpetuating existing power imbalances. The foundation aims to collaborate with future asset holders to explore alternative investment philosophies that prioritize equity and inclusivity. By actively engaging in this process, Lankelly Chase strives to ensure that the redistribution of resources disrupts existing power dynamics.

Fellow trustee Marai Larasi aptly describes this moment as an opportunity to "compost" Lankelly Chase as an institution, making way for the emergence of new organizations. The goal is not to uphold the "cult of benevolence" but to dismantle it entirely. While Lankelly Chase's endowment may not have originated from overtly harmful colonizing practices, the foundation acknowledges that capital accumulation occurs within the ongoing processes of colonial appropriation and exploitation, aligning with the concept of "racial capitalism" highlighted by scholars like Cedric J Robinson.

Lankelly Chase's decision to abolish itself signifies a critical turning point in the philanthropic landscape. By challenging the deeply rooted connection between philanthropy and colonial capitalism, the foundation pioneers a transformative path forward. This decision resonates with a growing movement in both the UK and the US to dismantle colonialism within philanthropy, sparking conversations about the need for systemic change. Lankelly Chase's commitment to redistributing resources, fostering honest debates, and exploring alternative investment philosophies sets an inspiring example for other philanthropic foundations. As society continues to grapple with issues of racial and social justice, the actions of Lankelly Chase and similar organizations offer hope for a more equitable and inclusive future.

The Weekly Notebook

A few notes and ideas of things I am seeing and hearing on the nonprofit world.

Our Other Publication is Growing!

I recently started a new substack that is focusing on my work here in my hometown of Troy, Ohio and it is growing like the grass in yard after the much needed rain this week! The Civic Capacity substack has been stewarding the positive energy that came from a close Mayoral election into productive conversations about our community. Even if you aren’t from the Troy community, I do believe you will find some interesting ideas and concepts about local government and I would love for you to be a part of the conversation we are having over there!

Please check it out and let me know what you think! You can find it here:

Now Hiring!

I have a nonprofit in Sidney, Ohio that has reached out to me looking for a new Executive Director. I can tell you that this a very strong organization that needs leadership that has strong entrepreneurial and staff management skills. If you have any interest, please drop me a line at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com and let’s talk!

The Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio is also looking for a non-profit professional. Learn more here: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/732561200

If you or your nonprofit would like to advertise a job opening here, please shoot me an email at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com

How Can We Work Together?

Did you know that Pinnacle Strategies works individually with nonprofit and public sector leaders to help them solve problems, achieve goals and gain confidence in their roles?

Why?

Because, this work is hard and it’s often a lonely road. Our nonprofit and public sector leaders need people that they can talk to to get solid advice and encouragement to do the work that is in front of them. If you feel that this can be of value to you, or a member of your team, please reach out to pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com and let’s talk.

Ready to Learn Something New?

One of the prettiest cities in the Midwest is Indianapolis and travelling there can open a perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills and meet new professionals in the field. I would encourage you to look at some of the offerings of The Fund Raising School at the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University’s campus in Indianapolis. The professional development school has great programming both on-line and in-person both in Indianapolis and at other sites across the country. Take a look at their course offerings here!

Online Learning Options from Texas A&M Announced

If travelling for professional development isn’t in the cards (or the budget), the Center for Nonprofits at Texas A&M University has some great offerings! I recently enrolled in one of their certificate programs and really enjoyed the online format and the online discussions that were developed. It was time and money well spent and I would highly recommend this program, especially for early or mid-career professionals. The next session begins in early February and you can learn more here!

Other Ways to Connect

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