Photo: New Generation of African-American Philanthropists (NGAAP) // Photo Credit: Alvin C. Jacobs Jr.

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, New Generation of African-American Philanthropists (NGAAP) is a giving circle committed to showing love of humanity through collective giving and strategic action. Since its founding in 2006, NGAAP has led differently, seeking new and innovative initiatives to support its vision of “a healthy, safe and prosperous community for African Americans to live, work and flourish.”

The Bold Project, an idea seeded in 2016, is an NGAAP-led initiative that launched in 2020 to call attention and provide critical support and resources to Black-founded and Black-led nonprofit organizations.

“We were inspired by a lot of the national data around racial funding equity and the inequities that exist in the philanthropic realm in terms of dollars going in support of Black-led organizations,” shares NGAAP Founding Member Valaida Fullwood.

Over the past 16 years, NGAAP has invested more than $1.4 million in Charlotte and beyond through volunteerism, research, and grantmaking to local nonprofits — mostly under-resourced, Black-founded organizations. In their most recent grant cycle, NGAAP awarded $20,000 to Historic West End, S.T.A.R.S. Math and English Academy, and Youth Development Initiative. Read on to learn more about these grantee partners and many more Black-led nonprofits in the Charlotte area. Connect with NGAAP on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more on Black philanthropy.

A Better World
Founded in 2001, A Better World is an afterschool program in West Charlotte that provides interactive academic lessons, mental health counseling, devotional lessons, and hot meals to children five days a week. Learn more

The Academy of Goal Achievers
The Academy of Goal Achievers prepares young adults for post-secondary success and empowers their students to be active leaders in the community through peer and career mentoring, leadership development classes, and career coaching.  Learn more

Barre Belle
An introduction to ballet fundamentals for elementary students, Barre Belle provides students with an opportunity to perform and learn ballet. Students receive leotards, tights, ballet slippers, and field trips to professional dance performances. Learn more

Block Love Charlotte
A true community effort, Block Love Charlotte accepts donations of clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags, and more to share with community members, who can find supplies and resources on blocks near Uptown Charlotte, Northlake, Brookshire, and Sugar Creek. Learn more

City Startup Labs
To address gaps in the employment of young men of color, City Startup Labs is training entrepreneurs and innovators to develop skills and create wealth. Learn more

CrownKeepers
CrownKeepers supports and elevates Black artists to sustain the arts and creative culture in Charlotte through access, opportunity, and empowerment. Learn more

The FACTS Initiative
Founded by mental health clinicians, The FACTS Initiative offers a wide array of counseling and education services for at-risk children and families including parental coaching, group therapy and individual counseling. Learn more

The Freedom Center for Social Justice
The Freedom Center for Social Justice provides education, programs, partnership and advocacy to improve opportunities available to communities of color, sexual minorities and youth. Learn more

For The Struggle, Inc.
Centered on advocating with and on behalf of Charlotte’s historically black communities, For The Struggle is fighting systemic issues of racial and social injustice with a community response team, an elder response initiative, a senior feeding program and more. Learn more

GardHouse
GardHouse provides professional development, career journey mapping, and paid internships to minority college students to create a pathway to employment. Learn more

Grooming Greatness Foundation
Empowering youth ages 9-16 years to develop an understanding of what it means to be well-rounded, Grooming Greatness Foundation exposes youth in underserved communities to the visual and performing arts. Learn more

Historic West End Partners
Historic West End is an 8.8-mile historic African-American corridor on the edge of Uptown Charlotte. Through advocacy and partnerships, Historic West End Partners is preserving the corridor’s history and spurring economic development to advance the community. Learn more

Innovate Tech Charlotte
Through a STEM education program for 8-12th grade students, Innovate Tech Charlotte inspires youth to be leaders and innovators in tech in the 21st century.  Learn more

Project B.O.L.T
Short for Building Our Lives Together, Project B.O.L.T. has grown from an organization serving newly released inmates to an agent of change for marginalized individuals in the Charlotte area. Project B.O.L.T serves all ages, providing services including mentorship for middle and high school youth, substance abuse counseling, and transportation assistance. Learn more

Roots In the Community Market Foundation (R.I.C.’s Market)
R.I.C.’s Market creates sustainable healthy communities throughout Charlotte by offering healthy food at affordable prices by distributing grants and donations from corporations and individuals to offset food costs. Learn more

Stiletto Boss University
Launched in 2015, Stiletto Boss University exposes middle and high school girls to everything it takes to run a business. Young women gain the skills and confidence to create their own social enterprises through collaboration and sisterhood. Learn more

StriveCLT
Families engage with StriveCLT throughout the school year for holistic learning, coaching, and growth through digital, financial, and civic literacy education, and family mentoring. Learn more 

S.T.A.R.S. Math & English Academy
Serving primarily students struggling with social, financial, and learning difficulties, S.T.A.R.S. fills a community need by offering free academic enrichment to improve the math and reading skills of students, in addition to test prep, arts and financial literacy classes, and mentorship. Learn more

Theatre Gap Initiative (TGI)
TGI is a gap year program for high school graduates, primarily students of color, to prepare and navigate the process of applying and pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). Learn more

Urban Institute for Strengthening Families
Serving boys and men, the Urban Institute for Strengthening Families provides education and mentoring to help families break the cycle of poverty and become economically self-sufficient. Learn more

Youth Development Initiatives (YDI)
YDI is a life skill program for high school students focused on individualized academic and career guidance, mentoring, and summer enrichment opportunities. Learn more