March 16, 2024
Cities are centers of tremendous wealth, but also deep inequality. As the world rapidly urbanizes, with more than half of the global population now living in cities, more philanthropic funders are working to develop what Susan S. Fainstein calls “the just city” — an equitable, democratic and diverse place where all residents feel a sense of belonging.
In Oakland, a private-public partnership is seeking to show what a just city can look like by supporting collaborative efforts that combine organizing, movement-building, and arts and culture work.
Belonging in Oakland: A Just City Cultural Fund is a collaboration between the Akonadi Foundation, East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) and the City of Oakland’s Cultural Affairs division. The fund also receives major support from the Surdna Foundation’s Radical Imagination for Racial Justice Initiative. Surdna has committed $2.85 million over six years. Through 2022, Akonadi and EBCF have raised about $105,000 and $176,800, respectively.
Read more in Inside Philanthropy
