The Bay Area Justice Funders Network engages in a range of projects and activities that help the philanthropic community to become a more active, coordinated, and accountable partner in efforts to grow and advance movements for justice. It is a platform for convening and encouraging relationships among funders. It also works to strengthen relationships and communication between the philanthropic community and community-based organizations. It is a venue for educational opportunities that allow funders to deepen their knowledge on local social justice issues and campaigns, organizing strategies, and share practices for social justice grantmaking. It is also a platform for funders to deepen their effectiveness through coordinated grantmaking strategies.
The Bay Area Justice Funders Network (BAJFN) is an alliance of funders working to help advance a justice agenda and strengthen grantmaking for social justice movements in the Bay Area and beyond. The Network seeks to build relationships among foundations and facilitate authentic partnerships with community based justice organizations in order to help advance coordinated transformational strategies, solutions, and visions for the region.
The Bay Area Justice Funders Network was formed with the following guiding principles that serve as a way that the network seeks to operate with its members, as well as the way in which BAJFN hopes its members operate with the greater community.
Social Movements and Social Change: We recognize that effective systemic change toward justice whether locally, regionally, or internationally must be led by broad-based social movements. These movements must be led by and working to build concrete power in marginalized communities including communities of color, working class and low-income communities, women, GLBTIQQ communities, youth, and people with disabilities. We also recognize the importance of building cross-sector and cross-issue alliances as central to movement building.
Increasing Long-Term Financial Support: Justice organizations based in marginalized communities face many barriers to securing adequate financial support. There is a broad need for increased financial support of social movement organizations. This includes increased philanthropic support as well as broadened community support together with other diversified funding sources. Because lasting social change requires long-term sustained efforts, philanthropic investments must also be long-term.
Access, Inclusivity and Equity: We value diversity, inclusivity, and equity and are committed to improving access for historically marginalized communities within the field of philanthropy.
Addressing Power Imbalance: In order to strengthen accountability it is important to recognize and address the power imbalances that are inherent in philanthropy.
Partnership and Accountability: Foundations have a responsibility to build authentic partnerships with community-based social movement organizations and establish concrete practices to strengthen foundation accountability and responsiveness to the needs and priorities of community-based organizations and movements.
Funders are Part of the Movement: We believe that funders have a responsibility to organize within the field of philanthropy for increased resources for social justice.