The Greater Washington Community Foundation (GWCF) runs a “health equity” program that appears to racially discriminate against applicants during the grant-making process, according to health watchdog group Do No Harm.
GWCF has identified the Health Equity Fund as a priority issue. Grants It aims to donate to “BIPOC-led organizations” and achieve “equitable health outcomes for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and other marginalized people in Washington, D.C.” Applicants must submit a “letter of intent” that lists demographics such as race, gender, and ethnic background of the partner organization's board members. According to Watch for an informational webinar that will be published online in October 2023. (Related article: Medical internship program comes under fire for rejecting people who don't “identify” as black)
“The Greater Washington Community Foundation appears to be more interested in racism than improving people's lives,” Laura Morgan, senior director of programs for Do No Harm, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “The fact that recipients must be members of a certain race shows that this initiative is focused on improving the lives of those affected, rather than improving overall health outcomes.” [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] “We seek to achieve policy through targeted wealth distribution. If the Greater Washington Community Foundation truly wanted to improve the health of Washingtonians, they would invest in tangible health solutions rather than ideological projects.”
The grants will be awarded to projects that focus on implementing “an economic mobility model that increases strategic economic participation and builds community wealth among people and communities experiencing the greatest economic and health disparities.” Projects must also address the “root causes” of what they are studying, while also adopting “sustainability” plans to ensure “no harm” is done to communities when funding ends.
The total amount of the fund is $55 million, and payments will be boot From September 2022 to March 2026 According to Please see the Fund's FAQs. The GWCF did not specify minimum or maximum grant amounts for applicants.
The group funds a range of left-leaning nonprofits, including the American Civil Liberties Union, NARAL Pro-Choice America (now known as Reproductive Freedom for All), and the Brennan Center for Justice. According to Watches that make an impact.
.@Community fndn The Health Equity Fund is Wasif & translation: We are launching Sustainable DC, a multi-year project designed to help BIPOC and women-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs harness the power of the local green economy.https://t.co/Rh47Mvybxt
— Community Foundation of Greater Washington (@communityfndn) July 31, 2024
GWCF Awarded In July, it awarded $8.7 million to two projects through its equity fund: One grant will help “BIPOC- and women-owned small businesses grow and build resilience while combating climate change,” and the other will provide education and job training to 2,500 adult students who are “asset-limited, income-constrained, and employed.”
A year later, 41% of grants were awarded to “Black-led organizations” and 17% were awarded to “Latino/X-led organizations.” According to Check out the GWCF website Projects include “cash transfer initiatives, home improvement projects, wealth creation programs, and other innovative projects.”
GWCF was founded in 1973 with the mission of promoting “racially equitable, just and thriving communities.” According to Visit Website The firm has invested $1.7 billion in total and has over $477 million in assets. According to Until the 2022 IRS filing.
“The Health Equity Fund represents a significant opportunity to advance DC HOPE (Health, Opportunity, Prosperity and Equity),” said DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. said “We know that by addressing the social determinants of health, we can eliminate disparities in health outcomes, empower families, and transform communities,” they said in an October 2022 press release.
GWCF did not respond to DCNF's request for comment.
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