Overview of the response of RFJS member organizations in the context of the pandemic

Overview of the response of member organizations of the Philanthropy Network for Social Justice in the context of the pandemic: resources donated to civil society

The 12 organizations that make up the Philanthropy Network for Social Justice are social justice funds, community funds and community foundations, donor organizations that support civil society in Brazil (CSOs, NGOs, movements, groups, collectives, networks, leaders, rights defenders etc.). They donate to initiatives in the field of human rights, social justice and community development and were created throughout the 2000s in the face of a reduction in resources from philanthropy and international cooperation to respond to the vacuum in funding generated within civil society, a consequence this withdrawal process.

According to annual surveys carried out by the Network, member organizations donated directly (through the transfer of resources) a total of R$ 197,129,770.71 (since its creation until 2018) to strengthen civil society and , therefore, of Brazilian democracy.

The data in the infographic indicates that indirect donations – that is, resources allocated to carrying out activities such as meetings, seminars, debates, training – is also significant since in 2018, the total amount of resources donated by Network members was R$ 64.9 million, with 46% of this total being indirect donations and 54% direct donations.

In addition to making donations to civil society (through notices, invitation letters and/or direct donations), the Network's organizations mobilize resources through various sources: with international and national philanthropic institutions; natural persons; companies; public Power; international cooperation etc. In this way, the mobilization of resources with philanthropic organizations must be conceived as a partnership between financiers of different natures, as community funds and foundations have in-depth knowledge of local (and also international) agendas and the ability to capillarize distribution of resources, making them reach grassroots organizations that work in different areas (in the field of social and community justice) and in multiple regions of the country, with different audiences.

These are organizations that:

Has a strong articulation and knowledge of Brazilian civil society and the field of activity, and the needs and demands of its networks
Monitor and evaluate supported initiatives.
They produce knowledge and invest in capacity development actions for institutional strengthening and sustainability (political and financial) of grassroots organizations and groups.

At the same time, they demonstrate the ability to react quickly to different scenarios, meeting the multiple demands of civil society.

In the context of the pandemic, they all acted very quickly, articulating partnerships for the development of several initiatives to combat Covid-19, mainly on three strategic fronts: a) creation of funds and emergency donations; b) communication and production of knowledge and c) local mobilization and donation campaigns.

Throughout 2020, in the context of the pandemic, Network organizations have already directly donated an amount of R$ 9,317,124.84 to almost 1000 civil society initiatives. Indirect donations (basic baskets, hygiene kits and humanitarian aid, in general) total approximately 2.9 million reais, totaling 12.3 million reais donated.

The big difference here is the ability to support civil society initiatives in an agile and assertive way, even if the amount of donations is not comparable to the volume of resources mobilized by large Brazilian fortunes, companies and/or philanthropists who , according to ABCR donation monitor, is around 6 billion reais.

Making these resources quickly reach the bases, communities, and strategic actors working to combat Covid 19 is a great transformative power, in addition to recognizing their installed expertise in mobilizing resources. And, certainly, these resources have a relevant multiplier effect as they can leverage and enhance other resource mobilization initiatives with local strategic actors (community donation campaigns, for example).

This path also expands the possibilities of counting on the protagonism and decision-making power of communities in mobilizing and investing local resources in areas and initiatives considered priorities, strengthening the autonomy of civil society and providing space for the creation of innovative dynamics in the field of community philanthropy.

Article by Graciela Hopstein, executive coordinator of the Philanthropy Network for Social Justice.