Daisee Francour: Indigenizing philanthropy to restore reciprocity and relational gifting (ep299)
Daisee Francour joins us in this episode to discuss:
the extractive, impersonal nature of modern philanthropy;
the difference between the ‘unwiring’ process of decolonization and the ‘rewiring’ process of indigenization;
re-rooting philanthropy in the Indigenous values of Respect, Reciprocity, Relationship, and Responsibility;
and more.
Musical feature: Trust The Sun by Luna Bec (IG: @lunabecmusic, Spotify: Luna Bec)
“Institutional philanthropy, in its modern form, definitely reinforces extraction.”
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Here’s Daisee on how institutional philanthropy was birthed as a tax haven for the rich:
“I think institutional philanthropy, in many ways, has fueled extractive practices in the United States. To understand that, we have to understand its roots.
Philanthropy, in its institutional modern form, was birthed as a tax haven for the rich. What it did was allowed the wealthy to further protect and hoard their resources. This took place during World War I when the United States amended the constitution and its federal tax code to allow for charitable tax-deducting contributions to finance the war.
Businesses and individuals took advantage of these changes [even after the war was over] to further protect their assets and profits from federal taxes—and that’s what led to the birth of a lot of foundations, or ‘charitable giving’, in the United States.”
About Daisee Francour
Daisee Francour (Oneida), Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communications, comes to Cultural Survival with over a decade of experience working in philanthropy, at non-profit organizations, in grassroots organizing, and as a direct service provider in education, mental health, corrections, serving Indigenous Peoples with disabilities/special needs, domestic violence victims, the homeless, and formerly incarcerated inmates. Her experience has deepened her advocacy and movement-building work as a radical woman in philanthropy.
As a former program officer at the Christensen Fund, she managed the San Francisco Bay Area program and supported her colleagues with other global regional programs at the fund. Later, she transitioned into consulting as a strategist, resource mobilizer, organizational development consultant, and philanthropic advisor supporting Indigenous organizations locally and globally.
Her work centers to empower Tribes, Native Nations, as well as Indigenous-led institutions to build their capacity, leadership, organizational infrastructure, and develop holistic strategies to support their resource generation and organizational sustainability. As an Indigenous fundraiser, philanthropic advisor, and donor educator, Daisee strives to build the capacity of philanthropy, foundations, and individual donors by transforming their understanding of Indigenous rights, Indigenous issues, biocultural diversity, climate and social justice as well as other regenerative systems.
Follow Cultural Survival’s work on Instagram @culturalsurvival, on Twitter @CSOrg, and on Facebook @culturalsurvival; and follow Daisee on Instagram and Twitter @daisee_savannah.
