Folly #65: Oxymorons

Refusing to engage with your ideal grantee.

This week I had a conversation with someone who leads a Latino-led grassroots organization that addresses fundraising disparities. He told me a shocking statistic.

U.S. residents of Latino descent represent 19% of our population. That our neighbors of Latino heritage are well represented is not a surprise. After all, Juan Ponce de León waded ashore, and then named, Florida in 1513.

Here’s the shocker.

Latino-focused nonprofits receive 1.8% of grant funding.

I’ll report back with the exact source. In the meantime, consider that this study showed that in 2009, 0.9% of grant dollars went to “organizations and activities that could be identified as benefiting Latinos” (down from 1.2% in 1999).

So let’s just go with it.

Soon after our conversation, I saw a foundation that promotes this funding opportunity on its home page:

A $50 Million Initiative to Support Latino Led Grassroot Organizations, the heart of Latino Power Building.

So I asked my friend if that foundation funds his grassroots, power-building nonprofit. His answer?

I have tried for years to get their attention. Crickets.

In what universe does this make sense?

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A $20M+ foundation whose mission is to increase investment in Latino-led organizations by at least 40% refuses to consider an organization supporting economic and professional development and capacity building for Latino-focused nonprofits.

I’m stumped. If you have an explanation, please…