In a groundbreaking and comprehensive report titled “Cracks in the Foundation: Philanthropy’s Role in Reparations for Black People in the DMV,” released by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), a stark spotlight is cast on the historical exploitation of Black communities in the Washington, D.C., area.
The 110-page report asserts that foundations now hold a unique opportunity and responsibility to address the systemic harm inflicted on Black residents and contribute to their healing and thriving.
The NCRP, serving as philanthropy’s critical friend and independent watchdog since 1976, has been instrumental in unveiling the consequences of the wealth generated from the systemic exclusion and exploitation of Black people in the DMV. The report emphasizes the immediate need for foundations to reckon with the historical exploitation and redress the harm caused, particularly in education, income, employment, housing, and healthcare.
Dara Cooper, a national strategic consultant and organizer, highlighted the report’s significance in connecting historical exploitation with the present.
“This report helps us connect the voices of the past with the data of the present in order to give foundations little excuse to address and redress historical and ongoing exploitation of Black DMV residents and families,” Cooper stated in a news release.
The report identifies four key sectors—media, housing, employment, and healthcare—where conscious choices and actions have repeatedly harmed Black communities. Foundations are urged to understand their past actions and to acknowledge and address these harms in collaboration with affected communities.
NCRP President and CEO Aaron Dorfman emphasized the crucial role of foundations.
“We hope that foundations in the D.C. area will acknowledge these stories of harm and use the tools included in this report to establish and deepen connections with local groups and organizations and contribute financial resources and social capital for reparative action,” Dorfman asserted.
One of the foundations highlighted in the report, “if, A Foundation for Radical Possibility,” has taken a proactive stance. Co-CEOs Hanh Le and Temi F. Bennett expressed their commitment to racial justice, acknowledging their responsibility for past harm.
“Addressing anti-Blackness is ground zero for racial justice in America,” the duo offered in a joint statement. “Our sector is in fight or flight mode. [The foundation] is fighting, always. We invite others to join us.”
The report aligns with the growing movement for reparations, which has gained momentum in recent years, with cities and states creating commissions to quantify harm and propose healing solutions. Philanthropy is also experiencing a shift, with organizations like the BridgeSpan Group and Liberation Ventures advocating for reparations to build a culture of repair and redress.
Local organizer Christian Beauvoir views foundations’ role in reparations as a moral and practical extension of their charitable missions.
“Every institution that claims to value Black people has a responsibility to make right every time that it has not,” Beauvoir asserted.
Katherine Ponce, the report’s author and NCRP Research Manager for Special Projects, urged foundations to engage in reparations and healing efforts.
“Research that connects and centers stories of local Black communities can generate energy, opportunities, and concrete actions for foundations to engage in reparations and healing efforts,” she said.
The report acknowledged the discomfort foundations may face but underscored the importance of addressing past harms. Dr. Dwayne Proctor, NCRP board chair, said he sees the report as a crucial tool for funders to create a more equitable future.
“If readers can connect the overlaps between the social determinants of health and the necessary healing of Black families today, real and transformative conversations about repair can begin,” Proctor stated.
While the report focuses on the D.C. area, its methodology and recommendations serve as a model for funders in other cities and regions. It challenges public and private institutions to grapple with uncomfortable but necessary questions and take meaningful actions to repair historical injustices.
“Right now, foundations have a chance to model holistic repair,” said Jennie Goldfarb, director of operations and strategic engagement at Liberation Ventures. “This report is the first step, and I’m so proud of everyone involved in bringing this across the finish line. My hope is it fuels a movement of funders committed to truth-telling and being in right relationships with each other and the organizations they fund.”
When is the question going to be asked or presented to people of color:
1. When did we become so complacent that we stopped trusting, educating, encouraging, our children!
2. When are we going to realize that we have to come together and rebuild our relationship and wealth. We have already proven we are smarter than most, stronger together especially now that we are finally accepting and learning our great history of what is possible if we can ever reclaim our own history, identity! As a people we allowed our history to be stolen and almost systematically destroyed because we continued on a path of wanting expectance. We continue to fall victim to Self proclaimed whites division through self hatred, our color, hair, etc. what other culture had to go to court just to wear our natural hair, why are we still or even have to fight for reparations when every other culture/race received reparations! Tell that story! Tell the story of how the freed slave people saved the Jewish people effectively ending the holocaust. Even though Jewish people were not from the USA they received reparations, telling Blacks to get over slavery! Then they were given Palestinian land with help from US and NATO help. Now, they are committing genocide! Can’t talk about that!