Funder-Grantee Relationship Series: Examining Power Dynamics

Registration for this event is now closed.

n this interactive, two-part series, we will dive into the intricate power dynamics inherent in the funder-grantee relationship, aiming to foster understanding, empathy, and collaboration. The program is designed for funders who are interested in acknowledging historical imbalances and working collaboratively towards a more equitable future.

This is a two-part event: registrants are expected to attend both the March and May sessions.

Part 1 – March 7, 2024

The first part of the series on Thursday, March 7th will ground attendees in the history of funding practices and provide opportunities to discuss the sometimes-uncomfortable power imbalance between funders and grantees, as well as how to navigate such relationships. Through group work and reflection, attendees will leave with concrete next steps to use for further reflection and practice.

Part 2 – May 16, 2024

On Thursday, May 16th participants will reconvene to further reflect and engage in dialogue about the steps they have taken since the last session and about their role in the social change ecosystem. We will discuss what steps participants want to, and need to, take toward strengthening their relationships with grantees.

Target Audience

This program is designed for members of Catalyst. If you are interested in becoming a Catalyst member, please contact [email protected].

If you require any accommodations to fully participate in this program, please contact [email protected]. 

Speakers

Christina Griffin-Jones | Organizer and Fundraiser

Christina uses she/her pronouns and is a community organizer and fundraiser who has rallied communities for justice in policing, immigration, voting, and workers’ rights locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally.

She has been a twice-elected California Democratic Party Assembly District Delegate for the 80th Assembly District and has organized, canvassed, phone-banked, and fundraised for progressive candidates and issues in every election cycle since 2001.

With experience as an organizer for United Domestic Workers of America, Unite Here Local 11 Los Angeles, and ACLU San Diego & Imperial Counties, Christina was appointed by the Mayor of National City to serve on the city’s Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee. She was also appointed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to serve on the Leon Williams Human Relations Commission.

Christina has been Board Vice President at Espacio Migrante and has co-directed grassroots, social-action organizations including We All We Got San Diego, Dede McClure Memorial Community Bail Fund, and March for Black Womxn. She received the San Diego County Democratic Party’s 2020 Chair’s Award and holds a BA in Political Science from Howard University.

Stephen Minix | Senior Director of Community Strategy at UpMetrics

Stephen joined UpMetrics in 2015 for one reason: a unique opportunity to continue to uplift communities. In his role as Senior Director of Community Strategy, Stephen empowers partners to utilize their data to accelerate progress toward outcomes: informing all decisions, gaining new insights, and telling their story to a wider audience.

Stephen is passionate about building capacity at impact organizations as he has dedicated his life’s work to the advancement of youth and communities through education and development. He began his career by serving young people and communities in Southern California as a public school and public charter school teacher, coach, athletic director, administrator, district coordinator for afterschool programs, and adjunct professor. He was recognized as the CIF Los Angeles City Section Athletic Director of the Year in 2015.

Today, Stephen continues to be active in the community, serving as a Green Dot Public Schools Ambassador and an inaugural board member (board chair) for MENTOR California. Stephen graduated from Pepperdine with a BS in Physical Education and a MA in Secondary Education.

Stephen is married with three young daughters and is a #girldad for real!