NCFP: Using the Mirror Tool to Minimize Unconscious Bias in Grantmaking and Fund Leaders Closest to the Issues

In the first three years of Chicago Beyond’s existence, only 14 percent of our multi-year grants were directed toward BIPOC-led organizations and only 4 percent were directed toward organizations led by people with direct experience in the social issue area they were working to improve. Today, all of our multi-year grants are distributed to BIPOC-led organizations with direct experience. The impact has been transformational.

Much of this success is due to our philosophy; we push ourselves to notice differently and shift practices, and we develop supports like the Mirror Tool to inform our thinking along the way. How did we use this and other tools to bring about this change? How can other organizations follow suit? And, just as importantly, why should they?

Despite recent retractions, I am encouraged by the philanthropic sector’s willingness to embrace equity and support more proximate leaders. However, recent data reminds me that we have a long way to go toward achieving equity in our country.

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