Doing good, wrong? The role of philanthropy in keeping people safe

Philanthropy invests billions of dollars annually to address pressing social issues. However, the positive impact of these contributions can be undermined when organizations fail to prioritize the safety and well-being of the people they serve. Funders in the United States can address this risk by promoting safeguarding—proactive measures taken to prevent all forms of harm, abuse, and exploitation to all individuals who interact with funders and the organizations they support.  

In well documented cases of international aid organizations operating in Haiti, weak safeguarding measures led to the sexual exploitation of the very people those groups exist to serve. Those cases sparked awareness among many funders of their role in incentivizing safety and their obligations when failures occur at grantee organizations. 

The Funder Safeguarding Collaborative (FSC)—fiscally sponsored and co-founded by Global Fund for Children—works to create organizational practices and cultures in support of safeguarding. This article will highlight findings from a recent FSC report analyzing the challenges its U.S. members face in promoting safeguarding, opportunities, and promising practices.  

Addressing power imbalances and structural inequities 

A critical aspect of promoting safeguarding is acknowledging and addressing the power imbalances within the philanthropic sector as well as the structural inequities that often place marginalized populations at greater risk of harm. 

In recent years, there has been increasing attention on the need for funders to shift power to grantees. Safeguarding must be part of this conversation, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not only protected from harm but also empowered to advocate for their own safety and well-being. Funders have a responsibility to ensure that their safeguarding measures do not replicate harmful systems, such as mandatory reporting requirements that disproportionately impact BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) communities. 

Challenges in promoting safeguarding practices 

The safeguarding landscape in the U.S. is complex, with inconsistent regulations and varying levels of understanding across states and sectors. Key challenges funders face in promoting safeguarding include: 

1. Lack of clear communication around safeguarding: Many organizations equate safeguarding solely with mandatory child abuse reporting, missing the broader scope of responsibilities. Those responsibilities range from ensuring the safety and well-being of foundation and grantee staff working in difficult environments, protecting the privacy of grantees and program participants, and creating a culture of safeguarding within an organization to prevent harm from occurring in the first place. 

2. Inconsistent legal and regulatory framework: While federal laws such as the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act provide guidelines for child protection, safeguarding practices for other vulnerable groups and in broader contexts are less defined. At the state level, regulations can vary significantly, creating further complexity for organizations operating across multiple jurisdictions. 

3. Limited incentives for implementing measures: With little perceived benefit in prioritizing safeguarding and no clear incentives from funders or regulatory bodies, grantees may prioritize other programmatic outcomes, especially in a restrictive funding environment. 

4. Capacity-building and resource gaps: Many organizations lack the resources or expertise to implement comprehensive safeguarding measures. Training staff and volunteers, developing policies, and establishing incident reporting systems all require significant investment, which is often not prioritized in funding allocations. 

Opportunities for promoting safeguarding practices 

Despite these challenges, there are numerous opportunities for funders to advance safeguarding by shaping the practices of grantee organizations. By embedding safeguarding into grant requirements, providing resources, and fostering a culture of safety, philanthropy can play a crucial role in preventing harm and ensuring that their work contributes to positive, sustainable change. 

Here are three ways funders can proactively promote safeguarding: 

1. Incentivize safeguarding through funding requirements: By providing additional funding, recognition, or capacity-building opportunities for nonprofits that demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding, funders can incentivize grantees to prioritize these efforts. 

2. Build organizational capacity: Funders can support grantees by offering resources such as discounted background checks, safeguarding training, and technical assistance in developing policies and procedures to protect vulnerable populations effectively. 

3. Promote best practices through knowledge sharing: Funders can facilitate knowledge sharing and peer learning so funders and grantees can learn from one another and collectively improve safeguarding practices. 

Safeguarding is not a peripheral concern for philanthropy; it is central to ensuring that the work of funders and the organizations they support has a lasting, positive impact. By incentivizing safeguarding, building capacity, and fostering a culture of safety and transparency, funders can help create a safer, more equitable world. 

Photo credit: Karen Hatch