10 Practices to Decolonize Philanthropy
By Andrea Villaseñor de la Vega
Every year, the independence celebrations of Latin American countries remind us of the new forms of colonization that persist in our societies and, particularly, in philanthropy. It is undeniable that the dynamics between the Global North and Global South continue to reproduce patterns of domination with colonial heritage through more subtle but equally effective mechanisms such as economic, political, cultural control and, especially, the control of knowledge and narratives.
Therefore, decolonizing philanthropy becomes a historical urgency: an uncomfortable transformation process that requires courage, empathy, and genuine commitment to question and modify the power structures that perpetuate inequality under the guise of "aid" and "cooperation."
From HIP, we suggest these central practices that need to be rethought and transformed in philanthropy:
Looking inward at our structures: we often continue replicating patriarchal practices that are inequitable and dominated by one type of knowledge. These practices become inflexible, incapable of adapting to changes and different social realities, contributing to the distance between communities' daily lives and the philanthropy that claims to serve them.
"Don't let privilege cloud empathy": being part of the philanthropic sector places us in a position of privilege that tends to cloud our ability to understand the reality of the majority and, perhaps unintentionally, we think that the solutions we see from our privileged position are the ones everyone else should adopt. Likewise, we frequently act from condescension and a feeling of superiority that is reflected in our words, tones, body language, or actions.
Breaking the practice of grants as a form of control: our financing methods and distribution of "aid" can become (or sometimes already are) control tools that generate dependencies and build relationships centered on economic resources rather than social transformation.
We don't intend to make an academic reflection, because there are already many brilliant people who have done so, but I would like to bring reflections more oriented to practices at this moment.
10 Essential Practices to Decolonize Philanthropy
- Unlearn and relearn: open ourselves to new ways of doing, thinking, analyzing, and building.
- Build alliances: recognize that we are part of an ecosystem that is interdependent and that we need each other, so let's talk, exchange, analyze, don't "cancel" each other.
- Accompany processes from humbleness: recognize that there are multiple forms of knowledge.
- Redefine cooperation: establish relationships that don't involve domination or supremacy.
- Value and promote leadership without replicating patriarchal, racist, and supremacist control dynamics.
- Change internal structures and don't try to impose your way on others.
- Break with structures that serve privilege: transition to structures that center community voices and that challenge us.
- Redistribute power in decision-making.
- Transition to flexible financing methods so they adjust to the agendas, priorities, and ways of working of communities that support organizational, cultural, political, and symbolic autonomy.
- Share with others in the sector good decolonization practices.
The decolonization of philanthropy is not a destination to be reached, but a path walked day by day, with awareness and genuine commitment. These ten practices represent a starting point to profound transformation that requires not only changes in our work methodologies, but an honest review of our motivations, power structures, and ways of relating.
Decolonization also implies recognizing that this transformation process must be collective. Therefore, sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources with other sector actors becomes fundamental to creating a more just and equitable philanthropic ecosystem.
Want to delve deeper into decolonization in philanthropy? Here are some resources to consider: