WUNRN
Mission
EDGE
Funders Alliance addresses the systemic nature of the social, economic and
ecological crises threatening the future of our planet. By supporting
reflection and collaboration among members and forging strategic partnerships
in and outside philanthropy, EDGE works to increase resources for community
well-being and transnational organizing in ways that promote justice and build
lasting, meaningful change.
Purpose
EDGE organizes within philanthropy to develop:
- A unique and diverse community of donors,
foundation officers and advisors across the international philanthropic
landscape sharing knowledge, tools and approaches, with differing
priorities and strategies but a shared commitment to global social
change;
- A fresh conversation recognizing that today’s
economic, social and ecological challenges require greater dialogue across
issues, geographies and funding strategies to bridge perspectives and
deepen cooperation around key issues and struggles of the day;
- A comprehensive and principled approach for
greater impact that understands that combining support for local
empowerment and grounded efforts to improve community well-being with
support for transnational movement-building are complementary, reinforcing
and more likely to bring about meaningful and lasting social
transformation.
Values
- We are funders and donors committed to global social
change philanthropy, who believe that equity and justice – around gender, race,
class, sexual orientation, nationality, migration status, and ability –
are critical to furthering sustainable international well-being.
- We understand our work within a global context in which
international policies as well as global economic interests and influences
impact societies at all levels, and we recognize the systemic nature of
many of the economic, social and ecological challenges facing humanity.
- We believe that support for local community
empowerment, more democratic national and international governance and
strengthened grassroots and transnational movements go hand in hand, that
here-and-now efforts focused on struggles for a better life keeps our work
grounded, while long-term efforts to build “another possible world” helps
keep ultimate goals in sight.
- We value the experience and perspectives of local
communities, and recognize the importance of networking and organizing
between grassroots groups and their civil society allies.
- While diverse in our issues, strategies and grantmaking,
we believe that to be effective as social change philanthropists, we must
promote an internal culture that is empowering, accountable,
compassionate, inclusive and democratic.
- Through our efforts and in partnership with grassroots
and civil society allies at home and abroad we hope together to more
effectively support the transformation of our world into a livable global
community that is just, responsible and sustainable for all.
Goals
- Inspire, mobilize and organize funders in support of
community empowerment, grassroots organizing, civil society advocacy and
movement-building to advance deep, meaningful and lasting change;
- Build connections and forge strategic partnerships
among a diverse set of grantmakers and others within philanthropy, as well
as with community leaders and social movement actors around the world;
- Facilitate peer learning, research and reflection on
models and approaches to improve the impact of grantmaking that helps
reduce structural inequities and power disparities between and within
societies at local, national and international levels.