Ushering Philanthropy into the Just Transition: Play, Power, and a 100-Year Vision with Justice Funders Network
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Ushering Philanthropy into the Just Transition: Play, Power, and a 100-Year Vision with Justice Funders Network
Host Kristine Michie interviews leaders Dino Foxx, Lora Smith, and Fernando Abarca about reimagining philanthropy to better serve communities. They discuss trust-based funding, breaking outdated rules, and how play and creativity fuel social change. This inspiring episode challenges conventional philanthropy, envisioning equitable resource flow, housing justice, and joyful movement work.
Key Takeaways:
Justice Funders is committed to a 100-year transition vision, guiding philanthropy toward a just and regenerative economy where philanthropy, ultimately, there is no longer any need for it.
Play and imagination are integral to movement-building, and Justice Funders uses creative approaches like theater exercises, writing prompts, and storytelling to foster engagement and trust.
Trust is a foundational element in long-term movement work, especially in philanthropy, where shifting financial resources to communities requires deep relationships and shared vision.
Philanthropy must recognize that communities already have the wisdom and solutions they need—the role of funders is to remove obstacles and provide resources, not dictate solutions.
The transition toward justice is not a future aspiration but a present reality, happening in communities now through cooperative housing models, tenant takeovers, and creative economic solutions.
Integrating play into serious work, from icebreaker questions to Theater of the Oppressed exercises, fosters creativity, sustains activists, and strengthens relationships.
The act of “ushering” philanthropy into the just transition acknowledges that systemic change is inevitable and invites institutions to actively participate rather than resist.
"The transition is happening now—and the work [happening in] communities nationwide is proof: tenants taking over buildings, starting co-ops, creating what we call ‘building the new.’ This isn’t a distant future—it’s happening now." — Lora Smith
"Long-term relationship building is a core value that we rely on in doing much of this movement work, recognizing that community folks have the wisdom." — Dino Foxx
"The work our members are doing on the ground—building alternatives that create affordable solutions—is the joy. Seeing kids grow up in an environment where they’ll be stable for the long run—that’s everything." — Fernando Abarca
About Lora, Dino, and Fernando:
Justice Funders is a partner and guide for philanthropy in reimagining practices that advance a thriving and just world. Through untethered imagination and rethinking made-up rules in philanthropy, Justice Funders is helping foundations reimagine what’s possible.
Dino Foxx is the Director of Imagination & Culture at Justice Funders, a poet, drag performer, and cultural strategist committed to creative activism and movement-building.
Lora Smith is the Director of Investment Partnerships at Justice Funders, a philanthropic strategist focused on economic justice, rural development, and fostering trust-based grantmaking.
Fernando Abarca is a Governing Body member of the Just Transition Integrated Capital Fund (a project of Justice Funders) and the Associate Director of Capital Strategies at Right to the City, working to shift financial power and advance housing justice through community-driven investment strategies.
Connect with Lora, Dino, and Fernando:
Website: https://justicefunders.org/
Lora’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-smith-09502638
Dino’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dino-foxx-88a82112a/
Fernando’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-x-abarca-3a116a1b7
Connect with Kristine:
Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/
Sources from this episode:
Theater of the Oppressed (created by Augusto Boal): https://imaginaction.org/media/our-methods/theatre-of-the-oppressed-2/
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