Practicing What We Preach: Funder Organizing and the Transformation of Power

The St. Joseph Fund believes that building healthy, just, and vibrant communities means action above giving. Moreover, we know that to meet the needs of our communities today, we must transform the way we steward within philanthropy. That’s why we are especially proud that Amy Huang, Program Officer, was selected to join the Justice Funders’ Harmony Initiative.

The Harmony Initiative nurtures grantmakers as leaders committed to shifting resources, relationships, and power in service of a Just Transition. Through a powerful mix of retreats and peer learning, participants strengthen their leadership skills and co-create a more equitable and regenerative future for the philanthropic field.

Since last fall, Amy has immersed herself in the initiative, gaining new perspectives and deepening her understanding of tools and opportunities to move from extractive philanthropic practices to more regenerative approaches. She has also learned about funder organizing, an action-oriented approach to shifting power, redistributing resources, and creating a transformative philanthropic culture (Definition adapted from The Chorus Foundation).

Amy shared how this philosophy aligns with SJF’s work: “We’re constantly in motion so that we don’t stay stagnant in our approaches as we evolve together with community. We’re striving to create more space for imagination and co-creation. I’m humbled and honored to collaborate with our community partners doing heart-led work as we cultivate new pathways.

She also acknowledges the discomfort that comes with charting new paths and the necessity of it.

“We can talk about the need for philanthropy to be active entities in transforming systems, but if we don’t practice transformation within ourselves—if we don’t actively unlearn, explore, and grow—then we’re not able to see our dreams come alive. At SJF, we see the necessity to resource, make time, and create space to build new learning and discoveries for the field. Harmony Initiative has taught me the power of moving from imagination to creating small and steady actions, stepping into my power and healing from oppressive systems that have limited and restricted the possibilities for joy and growth.”

One standout example of this approach is how we design partner retreats, in which Amy has been instrumental. Rather than pushing technical agendas, these gatherings provide nonprofit partners with rest, renewal, and genuine relationship-building. As Amy reflected, “Some groups told us, ‘This retreat was the first time we got to come together as a staff in a way we haven’t before. This was our retreat.’ That’s capacity building, too.”

Justice Funders teaches that to transform philanthropy, funders must also look inward and examine their relationship to power, wealth origins, and their willingness to let go. For Amy, this year has reinforced just how much that mirrors the SJF’s core values. “We’re grounded in healing and justice in our stewardship but also encouraged by our leadership to be responsive to community, to shift and be flexible when needed, and to be bold.”

Rooted in love, we continue to work toward a more just philanthropic future—one partnership, one retreat, and one reimagined practice at a time.