A Step beyond Capitalization

Trauma informed philanthropy

Monday, October 22, 2:00pm – 3:15pm

Organized by Barbara Mumby, senior program officer of Community Investments, San Francisco Arts Commission; and Sonia Mañjon, executive director, Leaderspring Center.

Moderated by Barbara Mumby, senior program officer of Community Investments, San Francisco Arts Commission. Presented by Sonia Mañjon, executive director, Leaderspring Center; and Phoebe Mills-Cager, consultant, Urban Indian Business Development.

How can funders effectively capitalize the most vulnerable organizations when historically marginalized communities are faced with and challenged by an overabundance of trauma? The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) is looking beyond the traditional funder’s model of strengthening organizations to looking for ways to promote healing and resilience through trauma informed practices. The hypothesis behind an integrated approach that weaves together social service practices, non-profit management, and leadership development is that systems of oppression lead to historical trauma, organizational dysfunction, and individual distrust: these systems must be addressed and acknowledged before communities can build strong, healthy, collaborative organizations, and coalitions. Providing two examples, this presentation will look at how the SFAC is supporting the Native American community through the Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) curriculum as well as implementing an initiative developed to build leadership of the African American Arts Community in the Western Addition. By engaging in trauma informed practices, the goal is to shift the perspectives and attitudes of the participants and create opportunities to build trust, transparency, mutual support, collaboration, empowerment, and ultimately, healing.