Application Deadline: 2024 Racial Justice Learning and Action Cohort

Racial Justice Learning & Action Network Overview

The National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP) has partnered with Bari Katz and Edgar Villanueva of Leverage Philanthropic Partners to create a Learning and Action Cohort that will:

  • provide participants with knowledge and tools to operationalize their commitment to racial equity in their grantmaking, governance, and operations
  • be grounded in a root-cause analysis of injustice
  • begin with a deep experiential learning opportunity in San Juan, Puerto Rico where participants will learn from the approaches of local philanthropic leaders and develop equity action plans
  • end with three virtual learning sessions where cohort members will receive coaching and support from peers to help implement their equity action plans

Curriculum Overview & Agenda

The immersive learning experience in Puerto Rico will equip participants with a deeper knowledge, ground you in a root cause analysis of the injustice pervasive in society today, and prepare you to take concrete action when you return to your organization. Then, virtual coaching sessions will provide the opportunity to workshop and get feedback on the implementation of your equity action plans.

March 6, 2024

Travel to Puerto Rico and meet fellow cohort members and the facilitators over dinner.

March 7 to 8, 2024

Explore strategies to actualize your commitment to racial equity and craft equity action plans with the support of expert facilitators, Bari and Edgar.

Learn how local philanthropic leaders are centering racial equity in their strategies to advance racial and economic justice in the community.

April, May, June 2024

Continue building your skills, workshop current challenges, and receive the support and advice from peers and expert facilitators Edgar Villanueva and Bari Katz over three virtual coaching sessions. The sessions will support you as you implement your equity action plans and continue to build your racial justice knowledge.

Expectations of Participants

Racial Justice Learning and Action Cohort participants will be expected to participate in a two-day in-person meeting. Participants are responsible for their travel and lodging costs. 

We ask that you bring your whole selves and prepare for challenging and thoughtful work. You will have opportunities to learn, reflect, build community, and collaborate during the virtual sessions and beyond. 

Eligibility

We will accept up to two participants per organization and request that participants bring what they learned back to their organizations. In addition, participants must: 

  • Be a family philanthropy board member, principal, or senior staff member with decision making authority/influence   
  • Have engaged in some type of personal or professional racial equity work in the past 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico’s philanthropic landscape illustrates a wide range of partnerships, approaches, and interventions that are case studies of promising practices for family philanthropies. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how local philanthropic leaders are centering racial equity in their strategies to successfully advance racial and economic justice in their communities. 

When are the virtual sessions?

Once the cohort participants are determined, program facilitators Bari Katz and Edgar Villanueva will work with participants to determine dates that work for everyone’s schedules.

How do I register?

  • There is a two-step process:

(1) Before you register, please complete an application. This will allow us to verify eligibility and address any questions you may have on your application.

(2) Upon notification of acceptance you will receive an email with instructions on how to register for the program, including payment of the registration fee.

  • The application deadline is January 31, 2024. Please note that applications are accepted on a rolling basis with preference given to NCFP members. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. 

What should I expect in the evaluation of my application?

Applications will be approved based on pre-established factors including:

  • Ability to commit to an intensive, peer-based hybrid program
  • Demonstrated commitment to bring whole self, undertake challenging and thoughtful work, reflect, build community, and collaborate with peers

When will I know if my application is accepted?

We will notify applicants of their acceptance on a rolling basis and no later than February 2, 2024. Upon acceptance, applicants will receive instructions to help them register for this program. To secure a seat, accepted applicants must register and submit payment by February 7, 2024. 

May I apply as part of a group from my family/foundation?

We will accept up to two participants per organization and request that participants bring what they learned back to their organizations.   

Please complete one separate application form for each applicant and indicate on the form that you are applying as part of a family group. 

How much does it cost to participate?

Members of the National Center for Family Philanthropy may register at a discounted rate of $2,500. The non-member registration fee is $3,500. Please email us at ncfp@ncfp.org if you are unsure of your membership status. 

What is your cancellation policy?

We will not accept cancellations. We will accept eligible substitutions through February 21.

Additional questions? Contact NCFP