Racial inequity is built into the institution of philanthropy, and our movement is not immune.
According to a report by The Bridgespan Group, average revenues and net assets of Black-led nonprofits are significantly smaller than those of white-led organizations.
exist between white-led and Black-led early-stage organizations.
Data for the nonprofit animal protection sector is limited, but our figures suggest that this problem is possibly even more severe in our own movement.
This inequity prevents ambitious, strategic advocates and organizations from scaling their work, innovating, and achieving impact for animals, communities, and the planet.
It also stifles collaboration and prevents communities on the front lines from bringing their uniquely powerful and relevant perspectives to the fight against factory farming.
The People’s Fund aims to address racial inequity in philanthropy by redistributing wealth in our movement and transforming the underlying structures and norms that entrench inequity.
The People’s Fund uses a participatory grantmaking process to shift decision-making power to the communities the program aims to serve. This means trusting activists to make funding decisions as well as determine the strategy and criteria behind these decisions.
This approach is not only more equitable—it is also more effective. Activists are the experts on their own fight and lived experiences, and their wisdom is critical to an effective grantmaking process.
The process itself builds agency, leadership, and expertise among participants. It aims to serve as a microcosm of the change we hope to see across our movement and the nonprofit sector.
Learn more about our grantmaking advisory committee.
The People’s Fund currently serves advocates based in the United States and U.S. territories.
Erin strives to increase financial and other resources for activists of the global majority, who are growing the strength, scale, and effectiveness of our movement to end structural oppression—of farmed animals and people—in our food system. Outside Mercy For Animals, Erin is often found walking her rescue dog, Kitty, or playing roller derby.
The People’s Fund is grateful to partner with A Well-Fed World, a nonprofit that provides fiscal sponsorship to several of our grantees. We welcome partnerships with other nonprofits who share our mission to build a more equitable movement.
