We are at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history and the battle for justice and equality for all.
The tragic and senseless murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless black people have catapulted us over a tipping point in the struggle to dismantle structural racism — that has for generations caused irreparable suffering to communities of color.
Combined with the worst pandemic in 100 years, and an economic downturn not seen since the Great Depression — the disparities and prejudices against people of color in our judicial, economic, educational, housing and health care systems have been laid bare and cannot be ignored.
As a result, citizens of all races have risen up and taken to the streets in protest to disrupt and change the culture of racial hierarchy that has shaped every aspect of our society. Today, the Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association (DMFA) stands in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement and all those exercising their constitutional right to fight injustice, inequality, and systemic racism, in our streets, courts, schools, workplaces, health care systems, communities, and at every level of government.
For all of us at the DMFA, this is not an issue of party politics. It is a moral imperative calling us to action. We know it is our responsibility at this moment to look within our organization with unflinching scrutiny. And as an association devoted to advancing the education of nonprofit and fundraising professionals, we must examine the ways in which we are complicit in perpetuating the status quo — and actively contribute to the solutions and the changes this moment calls us to embrace.
We recognized the challenges before us have no easy or quick fixes. But we are committed to listening to the voices of everyone impacted by racial inequality. By working together, we also recognize that our members can meet the demands of this moment and change the world for the better.
This is who we are as fundraising professionals. It is what people like us do, and have done, successfully throughout the history of our industry.
Today, we reaffirm our commitment to racial equality and support for the black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) community, starting within.
We have already established an executive level committee of Diversity, Inclusion and Systemic Change. The first task of this committee will lead to the creation of educational programming and resources that will help our members further racial equality in the nonprofit and fundraising sector. You can expect to hear more about our action plan in the future.
Together, we will continue moving forward toward a more inclusive nation with structural systems that are fair for all Americans.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association
