Racial Justice & Equity
Black Lives Matter Statement
At the Merck Family Fund we stand firmly against the systematic racism prevalent in our society, of which rampant police violence is just one symptom. We have been and will continue to be committed to tackling the roots of these issues. We want to use our voice in this moment to amplify the work being done by our Black-led grantee organizations, and pass along some of their poignant responses to the protests. We encourage our philanthropic colleagues to fund Black-led organizations who are on the frontlines of social and environmental justice issues facing our communities.
Rockaway Youth Task Force Far Rockaway, NY
“There is a long legacy of hate and violence against people of color that has plagued our country since its very first days. For our community, it is more than a headline, it is a father, a brother, a sister, a friend. Things must change. Enough is enough.”
Campaign Against Hunger Brooklyn, NY
“Racial inequities are, and have been entrenched in our country from the beginning. It requires a monumental and sustained effort on all of our parts to make progress in rooting it out. It is time for introspection. We all have a role to play in the paradigm shift to an equitable and just society. Let us step up, commit to act with courage, and work together to address the unequal treatment of our communities.”
The POINT CDC Bronx, NY
“We condemn all anti-black agendas, bigotry against our community, and the institutional racism that enforces those practices. This is also not the time for respectability politics, our community is grieving and angry not just about the last two weeks of police violence but about a long history full of state-sanctioned violence against Black and Brown people in The United States.”
Urban Tree Connection Philadelphia, PA
“Our communities have lived in some of the harshest conditions for decades, arguably centuries. Frustration, rage, anger, grief, confusion are just some of the emotions that are bubbling over in this moment. COVID-19 has had a deep impact on Black Philadelphians, both in terms of deaths and economic devastation. And we wonder, will there ever be justice?”
One Art Community Center Philadelphia, PA
“We have experienced injustice. We have felt rage. We have seen our community in action and the power of the people united. There is a need for healing.
One Art was created because of the collective need for healing. The need for a place to express yourself, and to be inspired to inspire others.”
The Sankofa Community Garden at Bartram’s Garden Philadelphia, PA
“All of us at the Garden stand firmly with you in grief and anger against the racial injustice that the Black community has borne over generations. Black lives matter. Much like America, Bartram’s Garden is not just a place but an idea, an aspirational concept that strives to fulfill the promise of love, dignity, and the peace that manifests itself in nature.”
Other Black-led Grantees:
Urban Farming Institute Mattapan, MA
NUBIA Inc. Roxbury, MA
Gardening the Community Springfield, MA
Springfield Food Policy Council Springfield, MA
East New York Farms New York, NY
Kelly Street Garden New York, NY
Hattie Carthan Market and Garden New York, NY
Just Food New York, NY
Soil Generation Philadelphia, PA
A Little Touch of Everything (Mill Creek Farm) Philadelphia, PA
Urban Creators Philadelphia, PA
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Like most non-profits and foundations, the Merck Family Fund has been asking for and applauding the efforts of grantees to pursue diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in their work. It is important for a variety of reasons including maximizing the skills, creativity, and political power of all communities and because it is the right thing to do.
Like most transformations, the process is different for everyone and takes time. Fortunately, there has been plenty of literature to help pave the way. From committees to metrics, case studies to convenings, the steps can be quite clear and, in all cases, intentional. This page is intended to provide a sample list of resources, mostly aimed at the environmental sector, as a starting or affirming point for those on the journey. Please let us know if there are others you would recommend.
The Merck Family Trustees and staff are undergoing their own process for learning and welcome suggestions too.
Resources
Racial Equity Tools Website
Racial Equity Tools is designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. It offers tools, research, tips, curricula, and ideas for people who want to increase their understanding and to help those working for racial justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities, and the culture at large.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Salience of Publicly Disclosing Demographic Data in American Environmental Nonprofits
2019 report by Dorceta Taylor, Sophia Paul and Ember McCoy examining the results of a five-year, high-profile campaign to get environmental nonprofits to disclose their demographic data publicly.
Wage Equity Matters - A Deeper Analysis of Compensation and Benefits Data from Valuing Our Nonprofit Workforce
2018 report by Nora Berson and Lyn Freundlich looks closer at the TSNE MissionWorks data relating to wage equity and racial and gender demographics in the nonprofit sector.
D5 cOALITION
Coalition working to increase DEI within Philanthropy.
GREEN 2.0
Initiative to diversify the environmental movement. NGO Score Card : 2017 Green 2.0 report on diversity of top 40 environmental NGOs.
nonprofit diversity efforts - current practices and the role of foundations
2018 report by The Center for Effective Philanthropy sharing results from surveying nonprofit organizations efforts towards diversity and foundation funders support of those efforts
From Words to Action - A Practical Philanthropic Guide to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
2018 report by Barbara Chow about incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion into grant making, which was recently published by Grantcraft. The guide includes sections on supporting existing grantees, new grantee identification and selection, and integrating diversity, equity and inclusion in philanthropy.
diversity in environmental organizations
2018 report by Dr. Dorceta E. Taylor about what changes have occurred in environmental organizations regarding DEI since the previous 2014 report.
Beyond diversity
2017 report by Dr. Maya A. Beasley sharing best practices for diversity and inclusion in the environmental sector.
Race to Lead: Confronting the Nonprofit Racial Leadership Gap
2017 report by Sean Thomas-Breitfeld & Frances Kunreuther about the underlying barriers for people of color to the nonprofit field.
For our future
2016 report by Green Leadership Trust on how boards can support DEI in environmental organizations.