By Scott McLellan, Executive Director
Achieving social justice requires more than just policy changes and funding. It demands proximity to the issues at hand, a principle championed by Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative. Proximity—being physically and emotionally close to the people and communities affected by injustice—transforms our understanding and response to social challenges. When engaging influential stakeholders like a foundation’s board of directors, this concept becomes even more critical.
Like many nonprofit and foundation boards, ours participates in an annual retreat. At the Julian Grace Foundation we take that opportunity to be proximate to the communities many of our grantee partners are working hard to serve and empower. Last year we went to Montgomery Alabama and experienced the Legacy Museum which was founded through Stevenson’s life’s work.
We listened to gut wrenching stories, heard the struggles, and recognized our collective responsibility in a more effective way than if we just gathered in a board room reviewing a performance dashboard. This firsthand experience provided the board and staff a deeper insight into the entrenched systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality.
For a foundation’s board of directors, proximity can bridge the gap between abstract data and real-world impact. When board members personally witness the effects of their funding and policies, they are more likely to make informed, empathetic decisions that truly address the needs of marginalized communities. This direct engagement fosters accountability and ensures that the voices of those affected are not only heard but prioritized in decision-making processes.
Moreover, proximity challenges preconceived notions and biases. It compels influential stakeholders to confront uncomfortable truths and fosters a sense of urgency and commitment to transformative change. As Stevenson notes, it’s through proximity that we begin to dismantle the structures of injustice and build a more equitable society.
Achieving social justice hinges on our willingness to get proximate. For us, this means stepping out of the boardroom and into the communities we aim to serve through philanthropy. We look forward to our fall board retreat in Arizona to better understand the context and policies surrounding our grantee partners providing legal aid and support to unaccompanied minors to ensure they are protected while in detention and post release.
