Beyond The Glass Cliff
Philanthropy Funds the Work. But Not the Conditions That Sustain Women of Color Leadership.
New research from Building Movement Project reveals philanthropic funding practices contribute to leadership burnout, organizational precarity, and long-term instability for women of color-led nonprofits
Beyond the Glass Cliff:
Investing in Conditions That Sustain Women of Color Leadership
Beyond the Glass Cliff: Investing in Conditions that Sustain Women of Color Leadership is a new report examining how philanthropic funding practices shape the experiences and sustainability of women of color in leadership.
Women of Color Leaders Are Being Asked to Do More With Less
Women of color are among the most innovative and community-rooted leaders in the nonprofit sector. Yet they face disproportionately high levels of burnout, chronic stress, and leadership turnover. The problem isn’t a lack of talent or commitment. It is a lack of investment in the conditions that sustain leadership.
“Leadership precarity among women of color is not a pipeline problem or a matter of personal resilience; rather, it is a structural failure shaped by entrenched organizational practices and philanthropic norms.”
This brief provides a concise overview of the report’s key findings, including the three pillars of leadership sustainability, operations, and infrastructure, as well as capitalization, and highlights the funding gaps that disproportionately affect women-of-color-led organizations. For a deeper analysis, methodology, recommendations, and full research findings, explore the complete report.
Who Should Read This Report?
Funders & Foundations
Nonprofit Leaders
Philanthropic Advisors
Download the Report
Discover how philanthropy can move beyond symbolic inclusion and invest in leadership sustainability.
What’s Included
✓ Original analysis of 1,819 grants
✓ New Three Pillars framework
✓ Actionable recommendations for funders
✓ Research on burnout, governance, and leadership sustainability