Rooted in Reciprocity: A Model for Philanthropy that Heals

Are you interested in a model that could multiply your impact as a donor significantly while also healing systemically-induced trauma? In this interactive workshop, participants will start by examining their definition of impact in the philanthropic sector and pondering barriers to achieving that impact.

With that context, participants will learn from NGO partners in EMA Foundation’s impact network about how the EMA model of youth-led, care-based philanthropy creates transformational impact by centering relationships, providing deeper beyond-the-check support, and amplifying their stories. The facilitators will also share how their reciprocal relationships catalyze healing from generational traumas linked to the accumulation of capital so that, in Edgar Villanueva’s (Decolonizing Wealth Project) words, money can transform from a source of oppression to a powerful medicine.

Participants will then join breakout discussion groups to explore which aspects of the EMA model and the principles of equitable relationships most resonate for them. Then they will consider how they might adapt processes and practices that lead to greater impact, greater equity, and deeper collaborations to move funders even more towards trust- and care-based partnerships. All participants will have the opportunity to join a virtual learning community to continue the conversation beyond the session and foster deeper collaborations.

Workshop Format

Part One: Introductions and Intentions – 5 minutes
The leaders with lived experience speaking and facilitators will introduce themselves and set intentions and invitations for the session, and then participants will introduce themselves to the people on either side of them as a prelude to the many conversations that will take place during the session.

Part Two: Defining Impact – 15 minutes
The workshop will begin with three MentiMeter Word Cloud prompts for all participants:

What three words come to mind when you think of your impact in philanthropy?
What is your #1 priority in terms of impact?
What are the biggest barriers to achieving that impact? (One sentence)

Facilitators will lead small (sitting in proximity) groups in a collective analysis of the word clouds/answers.

Part Three: The Power of Relationship: Three Perspectives on the EMA Model – 25 minutes
The workshop facilitators – EMA’s Executive Director Bill Meyer, SafePlace International (SPI) Board Chair Maggie Lower, and Renee Tl’aagunk Culp Matriarch Manager from Ha Tóoch Lichéesh Coalition – will discuss how their relationships are the defining characteristic of EMA’s model of care-based philanthropic partnership.

Bill will provide a case study of how EMA’s model shifts resources and power to grassroots organizations by replacing transactions with equitable relationships, and how their commitment to centering youth leadership, to story sharing, and to developing educational resources creates transformational impact.

Maggie will share how the deep trust that EMA and SafePlace International share has enabled SPI to scale their efforts to support LGBTQ people experiencing migration across Africa and catalyzed successful joint initiatives.

Renee will share how Ha Tóoch Lichéesh Coalition’s relationship with EMA resonates with indigenous principles of reciprocity and share stories of the work they have done together as Ha Tóoch Lichéesh Coalition emerges as an an independent nonprofit that is growing regionally across SouthEast Alaska.

Part Four: Reactions, Reflections…and Replication? – 25 minutes
The facilitators will guide participants in small group conversation – what elements of the EMA approach resonate? What might it take for participants to adapt elements that have worked so well for EMA’s network in their own contexts?

After small group discussions, facilitators will lead a report-back from participant groups, highlighting key inspirations and ideas from the conversations.

Part Five: Closing – Reflection and Feedback – 5 minutes
Participants will reflect on learnings and commit to the first steps they will take to share, implement, or otherwise explore ideas and practice from the session and complete a short feedback survey for the facilitators. They will also have the opportunity to register to join the EMA Community of Learners on Relationships and Impact.