I’m writing this on Candlemas, a feast of Light. St. Vincent once said,

“There is no act of charity that is not accompanied by justice or that permits us to do more than we reasonably can.”[To François du Coudray, In Toul, 17 June 1640]

What did he mean? Let’s shed a little light. Here is the situation:

Mathieu’ is bringing you your little allowance and you will adjust your expenditures accordingly. As for the two thousand livres you received for the religious from M. de Saint-Nicolas,’ in the name of God, Monsieur, use none of it for any other purpose under any pretext of charity whatsoever. There is no act of charity that is not accompanied by justice or that permits us to do more than we reasonably can.

He was telling the man that resources that come into our hands for a particular purpose are destined to that purpose.

If alleviation of the situation of the poor is our purpose, then funds are ultimately destined for systemic and structural change.

In a recent article, Dorian O. Burton & Brian C.B. Barnes wrote:

Historical injustices—perpetuated by racial and cultural conflicts, and exacerbated by a lack of empathy—are at the heart of America’s growing economic, social, and political inequalities. Nowhere is this gap of authentic empathy and justice more pronounced than in the American philanthropic sector, where often well-intentioned people make decisions for communities they do not come from, may not understand, rarely interact with, and almost never step foot into.

“Philanthropy is commendable,” said Martin Luther King, “but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice, which make philanthropy necessary.”

They are writing to make the case that Foundations need to shift the object of their philanthropy.

They suggest we start with these questions:

• Are you aware of and do you value the existing leadership in the community you plan to serve?
• Do you see and understand the historical factors that underlie the issues you aim to tackle?
• What is the value in getting proximate to those you serve?
• Do you see grantees and community leaders as equal partners in your (philanthropic) strategy?
• Do you see the value of including diverse persons on your own team?
• Do you see the value of (smaller) other organizations?
• Is your organization accountable to driving systems-level change?

These are hard questions that require Vincentian answers if we want to say #IamVincent.

They conclude by saying, “Charity is commendable, but justice is transformational. How will you spend your resources?”

Vincent said, “…use none of it for any other purpose under any pretext of charity whatsoever.”

How?

Read: Shifting Philanthropy from Charity to Justice