FAQ

Pepita was founded by second and third generation family members dedicated to continuing a legacy of philanthropic giving, in new and disruptive ways. We acknowledge that the money that funds Pepita was acquired through a capitalist system that is inherently oppressive and our work is to redistribute it with the goal of permanently dismantling that system and co-creating a more just and equitable world.

Pepita is committed to a constructive process that examines our internalized capitalist beliefs and moves towards a new and balanced model of resource equality. We recognize that traditional philanthropy fails to address the roots of inequality and systemic injustice. By failing to meaningfully break out of capitalist power structures, traditional philanthropy actually reinforces the dynamics which create the problems it claims to address. We are committed to redistributing the resources in our control as well as the power to control them.

Trust-based philanthropy recognizes the inherent power imbalance between partners and grantors, and seeks to disrupt the current dynamic by promoting equity, embracing necessary dialogue and accountability, and shifting power to stakeholders in the communities we aim to serve. Trust–based philanthropy originates from a sense of common humanity rather than benevolent charity, and recognizes that trust is something that must be tended, mutually, in order to take root and grow.

Pepita is establishing several granting models on a scale from $1,000 for one-off grants and specific projects to $100,000 for full partnerships. Because we focus on establishing deep, long-term connection with our grantees, our full-partnership capacity is limited.

We do not have a specific geographic area of service. We are focused on our mission statement and working with a diversity of communities across geographies, as well as helping to bridge connections.

In traditional philanthropy it’s common for grantees to tread carefully around white donors for fear of offending or alienating them. It’s accepted that organizations are afraid to “push” their boards or donors to consider hard topics

We are committed to support and engagement “beyond the grant.” We position ourselves as learners in any situation we enter as funders, as opposed to the traditionally hierarchical relationship of benevolent donor to lucky recipient. We believe in pooling all resources–finances, skills, connections, and platforms–to fully empower organizations to define their own success, and view the grant as the opening of a dialogue that educates us on the full complexity of the needs, goals, beauty and individual character of the organizations and communities we serve.

Generative conflict is the cousin of fearless conversations! We don’t learn much from situations that fit into long-standing patterns or from steering around offending those who are comfortable with the status quo. White supremacy culture promotes a fear of open conflict. Conflict, and tension and even anger can be useful human experiences that lead to necessary and important conversations. Generative conflict (which is different from conflict for its own sake) refers to the types of friction that open the door to dynamic thinking, new opportunity, and sincere connection. Malidoma Some says, “Conflict is the spirit of the relationship asking itself to deepen.” Pepita is committed to embracing difficult conversations with our partners and peers. By committing to generative conflict, we are realizing our value of disruption and the need to stay vigilant to the power systems, inequalities and oppressions around us.

“Leveraged privilege” means bringing our dream of an equitable society into every room we enter. It means using a “nothing about us without us” lens on our banking, board seats, and other arenas where whiteness guarantees us entry, but traditionally excludes the communities and individuals we partner with. It is a commitment to ensuring we use our access to open the door wider.

We are building a network to support the positive future we envision. We commit to offering grantees access to financial advisors, business-planning support, grant-writing assistance and marketing and design help. We commit to using a lens of ease and comfort to shine a light on needs beyond what is traditionally funded by a grant. And we are weaving a web of interconnection as we go, linking people across fields of interest and areas of operation.

We are committed to changing the way resources are shared. We do not use a burdensome application process that forces applicants to speculatively make their work fit an external standard, and we shift the labor of reporting to the grantor. We do not accept applications because we do not want organizations to invest a lot of work in a pile of paper when that time could be spent on their mission. If you are part of or aware of an organization that may align with our mission and values, please follow this link [TK] to share the details.

We look for organizations that are meeting crucial needs in their communities, are trusted by their communities, and whose approach to building healthy communities is loving, creative and responsive.

If you are part of or aware of an organization that may align with our mission and values, please follow this link to share the details.

We are building a board of advisors who are leaders in their fields and the type of work we support to participate in the allocation of Pepita funds. How grantees use that funding is entirely at their discretion.

Click here to learn how to get involved with our work.