Mission
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund supports the realization of human rights and social and economic justice for all people. Our work is rooted in respect for the dignity and worth of every human being and is informed by the following beliefs:
Social institutions and structures should promote the full realization of human rights and human potential, and should be accountable to these ends.
The rights of all people are advanced when the rights of the most marginalized and vulnerable peoples are protected.
Social justice movements should employ means that are consistent with their ideals, and should give agency to the people whose interests they seek to advance.
As responsible stewards, we must strive to maximize the impact of our charitable investments.
Objectives
Social Institutions and Structures
People create institutions – such as government and corporations – to serve human needs. While institutions have the capacity to produce good and accomplish great things, they also tend to concentrate power into the hands of a few and protect that power at the expense of the many. In a just society, those who hold power are held accountable for how their choices and the use of power affect the lives of others.
Rights of All People
In a more just society, human rights and dignity extend to all people – from those who historically have had power to those most frequently left marginalized at the edges of society. If a legal or political system can ensure that the most marginalized and vulnerable members of society have access to justice and the opportunity to thrive, then surely justice and opportunity will also extend to those who have greater power and resources to protect their own interests.
Employ Means Consistent with Ideals
A just society is built through just action. As an organization dedicated to social and economic justice, we try to live the values we seek to cultivate within broader society by applying principles of fairness, respect, and justice in our dealings with our grantees and collaborators, as well as in our internal management processes and structures.
Maximize the Impact
In our pursuit of a more just society, we have an obligation to current and future generations to be diligent and to aim for the same standard of excellence that we see in our grantees. We might make mistakes along the way, but we are committed to learning from them.