Postsecondary Philanthropy as a Site of Power: Shifting From White-Centered to Equity-Centered Decision-Making Processes

• In Event: Philanthropy and Education: Power, Allyship, and Influence in Grant-Making

Abstract

This paper investigates an intentional process in one site of power--a postsecondary-focused private foundation--to change decision-making processes toward educational equity. We analyze a corpus of interviews and archival documents to answer three questions: What perceived needs motivated one education-focused private foundation to initiate revisions to its equity decision-making practices? What values, tools, and artifacts did that foundation adopt to mobilize and institutionalize these practices? In what ways did these change decision-making processes toward equity? Our analysis surfaces material changes to the foundation’s decision-making (conceptualized as the combination of criteria and process) via multiple mechanisms, as well as the persistent struggle involved in changing decision-making processes rooted in whiteness that have guided action in educational sites of power to-date.

Authors

• Heather N. McCambly, University of Pittsburgh
  Presenting Author

• Krystal R. Villanosa, Northwestern University
  Presenting Author

• Jessica Thompson, University of Minnesota
  Presenting Author