Grantmakers in the Arts’ Support of the Fearless Foundation and Self-Determination
Eddie Torres
WASHINGTON - MARCH 14: Fearless Fund CEO Arian Simone, center, speaks outside U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Photo by Tom Brenner)
Grantmakers in the Arts is writing to express our solidarity with the Fearless Foundation and all others who support self-determination for oppressed communities.
The US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled that the Fearless Foundation’s grant program in support of Black women business owners must remain halted under a preliminary injunction while the American Alliance for Equal Rights’ lawsuit – claiming that a grant program for Black people is discriminatory – proceeds in court. The Fearless Foundation’s support serves a group of people unconsidered by the venture capital market. Less than 1% of venture capital funding goes to businesses owned by Black and Hispanic women, according to digitalundivided. Virtually, all venture capital funding goes to white men. Further, practically all funding for diversity investment deals goes to white women. As we state in our Theory of Transformation, GIA supports cultural self-determination as a part of economic self-determination for the peoples who are being exploited by racial capitalism. This is why GIA holds racial equity in arts funding as a central value throughout all our work.
GIA joined over 225 philanthropic and charitable organizations standing with the Fearless Foundation, supporting The Council on Foundations and Independent Sector’s amicus brief calling on the court to dismiss this lawsuit and rule that philanthropies and individuals have a constitutional right to donate to charitable causes that align with their values.
GIA applauds the Fearless Foundation for committing to fight this lawsuit and to advance the support of Black women, identical to our recognition of all who continue to support oppressed people; even in the face of escalating attacks by those threatened by their advances.
The efforts of those trying to sue the Fearless Foundation have been supported by conservative philanthropy. As we’ve shared before, conservative philanthropy gives multi-year general operating support to those working to impact structural change by influencing public policy and private practice over the course of generations, including those whose suit created the opportunity for the Supreme Court to bar affirmative action in university admissions. We must learn from conservative philanthropy’s support strategies to create the world our communities need. This is why GIA joins our support for racial equity in arts funding and advocacy with support for individual artists and capitalization and nonprofit financial health.
GIA has shared resources for those continuing to support equity, inclusion and diversity. We must be bolder than those trying to oppress us and continue to fight with urgency and the conviction that we will triumph.
Timeline of Events
Find out more ways to get involved with the Fearless Foundation and support their goals here.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Eddie Torres is president & CEO of Grantmakers in the Arts
