Building a More Equitable Future

Tools and Inspiration for Philanthropists, Nonprofits, and Others Working Toward Racial Equity

Building an inclusive and more equitable world where everyone thrives is the kind of ambitious work that can always be challenging—regardless of the times. The Bridgespan Group remains committed to the promise and potential that more equitable organizations and communities can bring. In this special collection, we move beyond the backlash, dogma, and rhetoric that in different ways can hold equity back and instead get down to the work of moving forward.

This collection represents a variety of content that purposely speaks to different audiences. (To learn more about those choices and our reasoning for making a collection of articles, please read our Editor’s Note: Pushing Forward.) Regardless of your issue area or region, whether you are a nonprofit leader or philanthropist, and no matter what your organization’s commitment to equity currently looks like, our hope is that you find something in this variety of content that helps you and your organization push forward.

Future of Equitable Philanthropy

By Darren Isom, Cora Daniels, and Lyell Sakaue

When it comes to advancing equity, the existence of intense opposition is evidence of the progress that has already been made. In this article, we identify five truths to help donors committed to equitable philanthropy push forward. We spoke to the new vanguard of philanthropy—the increasing numbers of people of color in leadership roles—to find successful models that all funders can follow. Read the article on SSIR.org

Dreaming of Joy: Finding Light As We Reimagine Power and Possibility

(A bonus episode of Dreaming in Color)

In this episode, we journey to an energized New York City during the convergence of the UN General Assembly and Climate Week for a roundtable discussion. Moderated by Bridgespan Partner Darren Isom, and with members of the new vanguard of philanthropy, they discuss the more equitable world they are trying to build. Listen to the episode

Navigating This Moment: What Does Allyship Require?

While the national dialogue around race was able to advance in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, it now seems that equity has come back under fire. Cheryl Dorsey, president of Echoing Green and co-chair of Bridgespan’s board, sat down with Jeff Bradach, co-founder and former managing partner of Bridgespan, to explore evolving ideas around the role of allyship when it comes to equity work. Read their discussion

The Impact Case for Equity

By Lyell Sakaue, Betsy Doyle, and Britt Savage

Giving strategies that lead to the ambitious impact that most donors seek have something in common: they embrace equity. That’s because data consistently shows some of the largest disparities in life outcomes can still be traced to race and are often exacerbated by gender. This quick overview provides lessons for donors from key Bridgespan research. Read more

The Work of DEI Is To Make Organizations Better
Than Society

A DEI professional in her own words

Most interactions across race tend to happen at work. Mission-driven organizations can either seize that opportunity to do things better or replicate society’s problems. Bridgespan’s Head of Equity Raël Nelson James shares the power and potential of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Read more

Building a Multiracial Organization: Notes from The Bridgespan Group’s
Racial Equity Journey

By Peter Kim, Raël Nelson James, Mandy Taft-Pearman, and Jeff Bradach

Equity work—both internal and external—is often difficult and complex, regardless of the moment. Bridgespan remains animated by the promise and potential that inclusive multiracial organizations can bring. For fellow travelers, we share the development of our five-pillar racial equity strategy, the challenges along the way, and our current struggles.
(Coming in early 2025)