Astraea Lesbian Foundation For Justice
In October 2004, a group of women were asked to name things that kept them up nights. Responses ranged from thermostat wars and stolen covers, to serious matters of injustice and poverty. Their answers varied, but their reason for gathering in Santa Cruz, California for four days was one in the same. Each of these women—committed supporters of the LGBTI movement in their own right—recognized the urgency surrounding the fiscal viability of the Movement's future.
Women & LGBTI Philanthropy: Exploring the Issues and Supporting the Movement was the first in a series of gatherings designed to help women learn and strategize about money, philanthropy and how to better support the work of LGBTI activists around the world. Conceived and hosted by Astraea, the Retreat was a component of the Foundation's four-year strategic plan—a plan geared toward increasing Astraea's impact on movement-building and expanding the capacity of lesbians working for social justice.
A diverse roster of women fueled four days of learning, celebration and hope. Each participant embodied a different kind of knowledge, experience and relationship to money, political activism and philanthropy. Many had been philanthropists for more than twenty years, while others were new to "giving" and had up until that point, never identified themselves as "donors."
In an effort to create a more economically diverse group of participants, Astraea implemented a sliding fee structure. We took into account that those with a combined household after-tax income of $88,000 or more are in the top 20% of wealth holders in the U.S. And, we wanted to encourage this broader group of women to recognize the important role they can play as activists as well as philanthropists. This targeted outreach brought together women who were not only economically diverse, but who were a cross section of age, race, sexual identity and profession—including academics, organizational leaders, entrepreneurs, activists, artists and others.
Helping to frame the issues of the weekend were some of our Movement's critical thinkers including Kimberly Aceves, Katherine Acey, Liz Bremner, Cheryl Clarke, Trishala Deb, Mercedes Gibson, Ellen Gurzinsky, Joo-Hyun Kang, Mara Keisling, Kate Kendell, Kim Klein, Shad Reinstein, Graciela Sanchez, Sonya Shields, Carmen Vasquez and Felice Yeskel. They shared strategies for strengthening the Movement, and for working more effectively across class, race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender and sexual identity. Regardless of their area of expertise, each of them touched on the LGBTI Movement's pressing need for increased funding.
Kim Klein, author and fundraising consultant, revealed the fiscal disparity between the LGBTI Movement and its foes. Participating in the State of Philanthropy panel, she contrasted our resources to that of the political and fiscal machinery of the Republican Party's right wing. "To begin with," she said, "we must rid ourselves of our uptightness in talking about money." She then compared the small percentage of progressive funding which goes to LGBTI philanthropy, "to the billions that the right wing raises through grassroots fundraising. We need to imitate that. Our community has access to people and money. And for some, the easiest and safest thing to do is to contribute money."
Astraea's Executive Director, Katherine Acey, elaborated further on the startling divide, noting that groups in opposition to same-sex marriage generated $205 billion—ten times the revenues of the five top LGBTI foundations combined. Such an enormous disparity mirrors the enormous amount of work that our community faces. It is critical that we strive to raise the bar in order to sustain our organizations and activists doing the hard work.
The reality of hard work was not relegated to activists alone. An additional highlight of the weekend was the panel Donors, Activists and Organizations: Building Healthy and Productive Partnerships. An intimate discussion on money and philanthropy ensued, which inspired people to disclose their personal giving patterns. Some recent inheritors discussed their resistance to "coming out" as women of wealth, and expressed gratitude for a space where they could connect with other women struggling with the same issue. Others talked about their fear of contributing a percentage of their annual salary during a time when the economy is so tenuous. Still, others who have limited income and no savings discussed their commitment to giving ten percent of their income to charities annually. It was a moving conversation which empowered many women to examine their personal giving more strategically. On the spot, several women openly committed to making larger donations.
As we progressed through the Retreat in small and large group discussions, the theme of inadequate resources recurred—as did possible remedies. The group reached consensus on three movement-building recommendations in particular: The LGBTI community must use the media more strategically by developing a clear and concise message that resonates with a broader audience and that communicates our vision for social and economic justice. The movement must develop a new framework in looking at philanthropy, advocating for donors to view their giving as a "social investment." And finally, the Movement must strengthen its relationships with progressive and intergenerational allies.
The Retreat was also an opportunity to have fun, reflect and celebrate how far we've come as a Movement. Participants added their own personal milestones to a sixty-foot "timeline" of feminist, lesbian, and queer historical events that spread across the entire conference room floor. In addition to connecting with other women in the glorious surroundings of the Chaminade Conference Center, participants were treated to the music of Margie Adam and Melanie Demore, who wove music and song throughout the program and performed a special concert for the group. On the last day, Margie also arranged for the group to experience a Labyrinth walk—allowing time to reflect on all that was shared.
The four day gathering provoked smart thinking, and substantial action. Since then, we've drafted a report summary of Retreat highlights which will be distributed mid-winter. In addition, several donors who attended the retreat are working with Astraea to form a Giving Circle, which will explore opportunities to collaborate, and strategize on ways to maximize financial support to groups. And mark your calendar for fall 2005, because we've already started planning for the next Reteat!
Astraea extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this Retreat such a groundbreaking success.
