Volunteers Needed for Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Advisory Committee at Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM)

CFWM seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by encouraging philanthropy; developing a perpetual, flexible endowment; assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs; serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities; promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds.

Strategic Vision: We are committed to increasing equity and opportunity so that all residents of Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties have access to a satisfying quality of life.

CFWM volunteers support our community by serving as reviewers, committee members, Advisors and Trustee/Directors who are invested in our community, have a commitment for advancing equity in our region, interest and/or experience in community or educational engagement, fundraising, investments, financial audits and budgeting, and/or nonprofit work.

Intersectional equity is a cornerstone of the Foundation's work. We are committed to aligning our staff and volunteers through our shared organizational values including community wisdom, collaboration, equity, integrity, and justice.

In alignment with CFWM’s strategic priority to advance equity in Western Massachusetts, the Foundation seeks volunteers who collectively reflect the diversity of the region—across gender, age, race, ethnicity, disability, and geographic representation from Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire counties.

The Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee

The Racial Equity & Social Justice (RESJ) Fund Advisory Group is a subcommittee of the Community Impact Committee and plays a vital role in shaping and informing one of CFWM’s most community-centered and participatory grantmaking efforts. This committee is grounded in the belief that communities most impacted by inequities should help guide how resources are invested to advance equity, build collective power, and support systems change across Western Massachusetts.

RESJ Fund (RESJF) Advisory Group members work closely with the CFWM staff and community reviewers to ensure that grantmaking from the Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund is done through processes that are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the lived realities of communities across Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. Through this work, advisors help deepen CFWM’s commitment to trust-based and participatory philanthropy.

Serving on the RESJ Fund Advisory Group is an opportunity to influence how resources support grassroots leadership, advocacy, and long-term change—while centering community voice in decision making.

Position Overview

The RESJ Fund Advisory Group provides strategic guidance and community-informed perspective on the design, implementation, and outcomes of the RESJF grantmaking process. Advisors help shape priorities, review funding recommendations, and participate in collective decision-making alongside staff and community reviewers.

As a subcommittee of the Community Impact Committee, the RESJ Fund Advisory Group brings forward recommendations and insights that inform broader grantmaking decisions and advance CFWM’s equity goals.

Advisors are not only decision-makers—they are partners in learning, reflection, and continuous improvement of participatory practices.

Key Responsibilities

RESJ Fund Advisory Group members:

• Participate in a participatory grantmaking process, including reviewing applications and contributing to funding recommendations.
• Engage in collective decision-making conversations that center equity, community voice, and power-building.
• Provide input on grant program design, priorities, and evaluation approaches.
• Bring lived and/or professional experience to inform discussions on racial equity and social justice.
• Serve as ambassadors for RESJ work, helping to build trust and connection between CFWM and community.
• Reflect on and help strengthen participatory practices, including what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of all applicant and organizational information.
• Disclose conflicts of interest to ensure transparency and integrity.

Advisors may also be invited to participate in community conversations, learning sessions, or outreach efforts connected to the RESJ program.

Time Commitment

• Terms are typically 1 year, with the opportunity to renew based on mutual interest and program needs.
• The committee meets approximately 5–7 times per year, with additional meetings during active grant cycles.

During the grant review period, members should expect:

• Application review (approximately 3–6 hours total, depending on volume)
• Participation in at least one extended decision-making meeting (2–3 hours)
• Total estimated annual commitment: approximately 20 hours.

Meetings are held in a mix of virtual and in-person formats whenever possible.

Experience and Perspectives

We especially welcome individuals who:

• Have lived experience related to racial inequity, systemic barriers, or community organizing
• Are engaged in advocacy, grassroots organizing, or systems change efforts
• Have experience in nonprofit, public sector, or community-based work
• Bring deep connection to communities in Hampden, Hampshire, or Franklin counties

Prior grantmaking experience is NOT required.

Strong RESJ Advisory Committee members are:

• Grounded in community and committed to equity and justice
• Open to learning and engaging in dialogue across differences
• Thoughtful and reflective decision-makers
• Willing to navigate complexity and balance multiple perspectives
• Comfortable participating in group discussions that may include differing viewpoints
• Committed to fairness, transparency, and shared accountability

Additional information and timeline

CFWM is currently recruiting volunteers who will serve on the Racial Equity Social Justice Fund Advisory Committee beginning in Fall 2027. We will need 5-7 members, preferably from across all three counties. We hope to confirm volunteers in time to learn more about our work by participating in our annual scholarship review process in Spring 2027.

For more information and submit a request to volunteer please visit: https://communityfoundation.org/contact/volunteer-with-your-community-foundation/

If you need help completing the form in the link above please contact Briana Wales-Thaxton at bwales@communityfoundation.org