Anti Racist Cumbria has received £200,000 in funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation which will be split over the next three years.
The money will form part of the investment needed to create six full-time equivalent posts to meet the demand for their anti-racism work across the county. The remaining funding is being secured from other similar funders.
The Esmée Fairbairn funding was granted following a rigorous application process which evidenced that Anti Racist Cumbria’s aims resonated with Esmée Fairbairn Foundation’s own; to strengthen the bonds in communities, help local people build vibrant, confident places where they can fulfil their creative, human, and economic potential and to contribute to a just and anti-racist society, where those who need it most have their rights protected, the opportunity to speak and be heard, and the freedom to express their creativity.
Laura Lines, Funding Manager at Esmée Fairbairn Foundation said: “Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is committed to tackling injustice and inequality, and to addressing structural and systemic racism in the UK both as an organisation and through the work we support. We are delighted to support this pioneering work with unrestricted funding so that Anti Racist Cumbria can evolve and develop their plans over the next three years.”
At last week’s Anti Racist Cumbria Summit, Anti Racist Cumbria announced its plans for the county which centres around supporting those who want to become anti-racist whilst campaigning for anti-racism. The organisation has created an 8 Step Programme to support businesses and organisations to become anti-racist, and will also be enhancing their existing work with schools and creating grassroots projects that engage all local communities to embrace anti-racism in ways that are relevant to them.
They are taking an innovative approach to their pay structure too, announcing a completely flat pay structure which is a unique part of their employee ethos. All those in non-trainee roles will be paid exactly the same salary, yes even the CEO.
When asked why they have taken this approach; co-founder and CEO Janett Walker said: “One of the things that COVID showed us is that those who are genuinely essential are often overlooked and underpaid; we believe that every part of our work is as important as the other.
“Why should I be paid more than anyone else when our community work and social media posts are as crucial as our meetings with MPs and business leaders. By flattening the pay structure we lead by example, we walk what we talk, and we walk together, being paid the same empowers each of us to be valued and to contribute.
“We are humbled and grateful to have been granted the funding from Esmée Fairbairn to help make our plans for a county a reality, a place where everyone can contribute fully and reach their full potential. It is an endorsement of our work to date and approach to making changes in the future and we give thanks to Esmée Fairbairn for their faith in us.”
The new jobs being created will be announced and advertised in the coming months and people from all backgrounds will be encouraged to apply.
