Celebrating philanthropy includes recognizing injustice

Today is National Philanthropy Day, a day to recognize all the ways we love and care for each other and our world. The roots of the word philanthropy mean “love of humankind” — a message the world needs now more than ever.

Andrea Buttars gives remarks at Women 4 Change event. Photograph by Jenn Grachow.

This broader idea of philanthropy values both the formal and informal acts of giving, which are equally important to enriching and changing our world. In my work, extended family and circle of friends, I see philanthropy in acts of supporting charities, sponsoring newcomers, protesting injustice, and welcoming people for a meal in your home.

However, celebrating philanthropy shouldn’t let us forget the sector’s historical ties to colonialism and other systemic injustices. We can’t ignore outcomes like the fact that Black-led organizations in Canada receive 0.03 percent of total philanthropic funding. And we should be inspired by those who call for changes in philanthropy like Edgar Villanueva and his call to decolonize wealth.

By way of HCF’s Declaration of Action on Truth and Reconciliation, we recognize that we have assets under management that are directly tied to the Indian Hospital and Sanatoria System which forcibly displaced and relocated Indigenous people. Celebrating philanthropy includes recognizing these injustices and working together to learn and take action.

We asked the team at HCF how they see philanthropy in action and here’s a few of their ideas:

At HCF, we are working to value gifts of time, knowledge and resources. This includes the volunteers on our board and committees, people who share their expertise and community connections to help us with our work and the donors who give in ways that are meaningful to them and have impact in our community.  

As we mark National Philanthropy Day, we recognize how philanthropy shows up in love, joy and people mutually coming together to care for each other and to enrich and change the world. We also recognize that celebrating “love for humanity” means having uncomfortable conversations about philanthropy and its historical relationship to systemic injustices. Together, we can continue to learn and do things differently.   

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