Decolonizing wealth, decentralizing capital
Our Community-Building Pillars
We are on a mission to decolonize wealth, capital, philanthropy, and giving through community building. Our pillars invite us to practice decolonized worldviews and create spaces to make circular contributions.
our pillars
A Re-Worlded World requires re-worlding individually and collectively. Our pillars of Horizontal, Equitable, and Accessible Capital invite us to redistribute wealth in non-traditional, non-hierarchical ways, encouraging us to disrupt the flow of capital. Our fourth pillar, Collective Healing, which is particularly enforced by Engaged Mindfulness, invites us to stop cycles of abuse and heal ourselves from trauma. This is a crucial part of decolonizing capital by inviting us to be more aware of our traditional biases surrounding wealth, business, and economics, stemming from capitalistic notions and belief systems. Healing division is for EVERYONE on a collective level, inviting us to restore balance, as discussed in Edgar Villanueva's "Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance".
Horizontal Capital:
Horizontal capital to us is capital that moves laterally, not hierarchical. Many times, when seeking to build, move, or change communities, there is gatekeeping of funds. Additionally, the gatekeepers of the funds may not have in-depth knowledge or understanding of the problems in community and unmet needs, and may not have resources to acquire this understanding.
At The Being Human Foundation, our sangha decides how to deploy the capital. We have full trust in our sangha to understand unmeet needs in their community. We act as an enabler, by pooling donations and playing a role as an intermediary fundraiser, and then asking our sangha collectively to decide how to deploy the capital. The Being Human Foundation itself does not decide what projects are funded, we believe in the power of community.
Equitable Capital:
Equitable capital to us means that everyone has the same opportunity and availability to contribute to our pool, receive and participate in our practices, tools, and workshops; and receive funds for community projects.
At The Being Human Foundation, donations are not mandatory to contribute to directing capital (i.e. voting rights apply to all who participate, regardless of donations made). Thus, regardless of income status or class divides, the invitation is equitable for all.
Accessible Capital:
Accessible capital to us is capital that is readily available for everyone.
At The Being Human Foundation, you do not have to be wealthy to participate or practice. You do not have to make donations in order to apply or receive funding for your community project. Regardless of how you participate, you are eligible to both vote and request community funds.
Collective Healing:
Collective Healing is a crucial component that contributes to capital flow and distribution. When we commit to participate in Collective Healing, we commit to decolonizing our minds, education, wealth, giving, etc. We commit to being more aware of our traditional biases surrounding wealth, business, and economics, stemming from capitalistic notions and belief systems.
At The Being Human Foundation, our practices, tools, and workshops invite us participate in collective healing. Our Engaged Mindfulness practices in particular are highly supportive of healing from collective trauma. Additionally, when you vote to redistribute community funds, you are also participating in collective healing by being part of a sangha that listens, observes, and supports those who are creating change in their communities.
circular contributions
A space for our sangha to contribute to practice decolonized worldviews and support each other's community engagement intiativies through donations. What is contributed is redistributed. The sangha is self-sufficient, self-reliant, and self-sustaining.
