Racial equity
Racial equity and racial justice are themes fundamental to Corra’s Ten Year Strategy. A strategy which is a response to the world we live in, and the one we want to play a part in building.
We have been learning and thinking about what racial equity and racial justice means to us as a funder, as an organisation and as a partner. Most importantly we have been listening and talking with Black and racially minoritised communities across Scotland. This has helped shape and inform racial equity across all areas of our work and contribute towards wider racial justice in Scotland.
In 2020, following the racist murder of George Floyd, Corra made a statement on our commitment to becoming an anti-racist organisation. You can read more on our progress further down the page.
What is racial equity?
We believe that working alongside diverse people and communities, bringing lived and learned expertise together is the most powerful way to find solutions.
Racial equity is sharing power and redistributing resources in terms of who, what and how we fund. We do this by prioritising those who face discrimination and prejudice as Black and racially minoritised communities.
Racial justice goes beyond anti-racism and looks into the root causes of injustice facing Black and racially minoritised communities. This takes into account racial history and how the past has shaped the present. This means working alongside the people and communities most impacted in newer, stronger and better ways to create positive change.
Why is racial equity important to us?
In philanthropy, much of the wealth accumulated is rooted in empire, colonialism and slavery. Black and racially minoritised communities are among those most impacted, and historically have been under resourced and underfunded. This in turn has limited their voice and power, and further reduced their ability to grow and flourish.
At Corra we acknowledge that racism is a systemic issue and as funders, we are part of ‘the system’. This means that we are also part of the problem, and along with society, we need to help dismantle systemic racism and work towards a fairer world.
Funding to tackle racism, including anti-semitism, in Scotland
We have delivered funding to tackle racism, including antisemitism, in Scotland. A first step in furthering this work was to build on our existing knowledge through undertaking a consultation to gather views on the current state of play on tackling racism in Scotland and on the gaps where current or emergent needs are not being fully met. This consultation was undertaken by Corra staff from March to May 2022 . This has informed our approach to funding.
Racial equity commitments
In 2023, we developed a 10 point anti-racism action plan to embed racial equity across our work. This plan formalises and brings together our commitments to progress racial equity. These commitments are outlined below and we will share our progress on each of these as we go.
We will increase resources available to Black and racially minoritised community-led organisations.
We will support the capacity development of Black and racially minoritised community-led organisations.
We will work to encourage and develop Scottish funder collaboration on racial justice.
We will actively promote anti-racist best practice in grant making.
We will mainstream anti-racist practice in all our programmes, processes and activities.
We will bring an intersectional lens to all our anti-racist work and grantmaking.
We will undertake advocacy and influencing work to advance and support racial justice in Scotland.
We will ensure and strengthen representation of diverse perspectives across Corra.
We will safeguard our lived experience staff.
We commit to continuous and progressive strengthening of our anti-racism practice.
Our progress so far
A selection of stories and reports that relate to our work to become an anti-racist organisation and further racial equity. Thank you to the communities and individuals we work alongside who have shared more of their work here.
Community stories
Tools and publications
Bringing a racial justice lens to Corra's Henry Duncan Grants
Statements, press releases, and key information
Get in touch
We are working to become anti-racist and recognise that we have much to do to progress racial equity across our work. We are always keen to connect and learn from others. If you’d like to get in touch please contact us at arwg@corra.scot .