Latinx Advisory Committee: Centering Community Voice in Giving

Our Latinx Advisory Committee is working toward establishing a fund. The committee members have dug deep into conversations about defining philanthropy for themselves, understanding that many structures and institutions have not been and are not currently responsive to the urgent needs in Latinx communities. As the committee works to identify the practices and procedures they want to move forward, they firmly believe that all decisions should be guided by the voices of Latinx communities in Kent County. And they aren’t afraid to think outside the box to consider new ways of approaching philanthropy.

These deep conversations over the past few years are clarifying their focus for the forthcoming fund. The committee is intentional in its process. By creating committees to dive into each aspect of the fund, they interrogate how the creation and execution might best support Latinx focused and driven initiatives. They seek an adaptable approach that balances immediate community needs, while also looking at root causes of inequity.

The Latinx Advisory Committee thinks about this balanced approach as one might think about their family. How can we support the community’s children today, as well as the children of many generations to come? Laci Resendiz, a Latinx Advisory Committee member, explains the benefit of this approach: “You can see it working now and you can see it building for the future.”

As the committee continues to define their model, one thing is certain. Each decision will be rooted in community voice—from that, the committee will not waiver.