I spent the last couple of years as a fundraiser and what I've learned is that there is so much money out there that people want to donate to causes that are worthwhile, that bring meaning into their lives. And yet, this is no easy task, to find that money. It takes work and knowledge. It doesn't come naturally, to anyone. And even more so, it is a skill that is not the cultural capital of all communities. For years, racism and classism has drawn a line, determined to limit the knowledge passed on to some communities. But GIFT, the Grassroots Insitute for Fundraising Training is passionately committed to training communities of color to fundraise for their amazing work in the world. For as we all know, to fundraise means to create automony in decision making within our communities, to be able to provide our own means of supporting our work is an empowering experience.

Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (GIFT) develops and strengthens the grassroots fundraising skills of people working for social justice as our contribution to building the movement. Because we believe movement organizations must be effective and self-sufficient, our goal is to build the capacity of progressive organizations to raise money and to increase the number of people of color in fundraising.
We combine practical, hands on training and skill building with a progressive political sensibility and a dedication to movement building that makes us unique among fundraising training programs.

GIFT approaches fundraising from a justice orientation. Our focus on people of color is a direct response to racial inequality. We seek to decrease organizations' dependence on foundation funding by helping them develop a broad base of individual donors to support their work. We want to increase self-determination within communities of color and other constituencies working to create a more just world.

So check out GIFT's critical work to support communities of color in raising funds to support organizations and individuals that are demanding justice for their communities! They can be found here: http://www.grassrootsinstitute.org/. They even have a page here on Wiser Earth! Check it out at http://wiserearth.org/organization/view/451dfb6e0863fed148f239fdeba8c23c.

Best,
Shannon LaLa