Check out this list of 11 Black-led nonprofits to support this Black History Month. You’ll find recommendations for organizations, as well as resources to help you connect with Black-led organizations year-round.
Hosted at The Denver Foundation, DAAP has had an immense impact on the African American community in Denver by providing ongoing financial support to small, lesser-known nonprofits doing crucial work.
The Peninsula Latina Giving Circle, established in 2014, is continuing its tradition of pooling together resources to support other Latinx women, children and families in need.
The Awesome Foundation is a worldwide community dedicated to making the world more fun, interesting, and kind through collective giving. Fully-autonomous foundation “chapters” comprised of friends, family members, or complete strangers support awesome projects through micro-grants, usually given out monthly.
Together, HOLA and Google.org pooled more than $11,000 to support Prospera, a Latinx-led nonprofit partnering with Latina entrepreneurs to launch social enterprises that foster cooperation, economic independence, and well-being in immigrant communities in honor of Latinx Heritage Month.
Philanthropy Together virtually brought together more than 50 leaders from across the collective giving movement to understand the emerging strategies they are using to strengthen and sustain the grassroots leadership of local nonprofits.
“Giving circles, Vargas added, allow for participatory philanthropy since everyone has a vote in the gift-making process. Now, academic research is confirming that the giving circle movement may represent a way to bring greater democracy and diversity into the practice of philanthropy.”
Source: Nonprofit Quarterly
“By joining a giving circle, I am connected to like-minded people who are purposeful and passionate about addressing disparities in the African American community.”
Source: Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Photo: Tony Brothers, Founding member of Visionaries for Change Giving Circle
“Women are more visible in philanthropy today because of the women who have been fighting for a seat at every table, across every industry, for decades”
Source: The New York Times
Photo: Melinda Gates
Photo Credit: Ian Langsdon/EPA
“The organization is committed to anti-racism, and pledged its commitment for all members to undergo training”
Source: Sonoma Valley Sun
Photo: Lisa Carreno, CEO of United Way of Wine country
“When it comes to the “good work” of giving back, it’s important to recognize how so many people, namely women, were able to reinvent their philanthropic endeavors through giving circles.”
Source: Bella Magazine
“We’re not here to be the philanthropist from the States telling you how to create your circle, but we’re here to lend our support and our history of creation to help you adapt [our learnings] to your community.”
Source: Philanthropy Women
Photo: Sondra Shaw Hardy
“I began to explore what could I do to go beyond the dollar. My personal answer was to offer a pro-bono coaching program to one of LCF’s grantees.”
Source: Latino Community Foundation’s Blog Nuestra Voz
Photo: Bego Lozano, Peninsula Latina Giving Circle
“Impact Las Vegas has donated more than $200,000 to local nonprofits like the nonprofit Girls on the Run, an organization empowering girls through health and fitness.”
Source: KTNB Las Vegas
Photo: Impact Las Vegas
“We’re trying to shift that narrative — we’re not just poor people who are taking resources, Indigenous culture is rooted in philanthropy, we’re very generous within and beyond our Native communities”
Source: Advancing Philanthropy Magazine
Photo: Edgar Villanueva, Founder of Liberated Capital Giving Circle
“We are a twist on a traditional giving circle. We are giving grants to individuals, groups, businesses, and nonprofits. We’re trying to shift the paradigm in philanthropy.”
Source: ABC7 WJLA
Photo: Collective 365
Photo Credit: Fatima M. Mars
“Support for Black-led organizations has increased amid a pandemic that has disproportionately impacted Black communities and social unrest following the killing of George Floyd.”
Source: Q City Metro
Photo: Charlotte’s Illuminated Skyline in observance of CLT Gives Black day of giving
Photo Credit: Alvin C. Jacobs Jr.
“Seeing all of these organizations turn their dream initiatives into funded realities for the communities they serve has personally impacted me in ways I never even imagined.”
Source: Herald-Tribune
Photo: Jane Watt Impact 100 SRQ
“Women of Masala are grateful to be able to provide support to families in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, especially during this time when the needs are so great.”
Source: Tempo News
Photo: Masala Giving Circle/
“In the past year, the Muskegon LEAD Giving Circle assembled more than 30 diverse community members to collectively donate to organizations doing JEDI work.”
Source: MLive
Photo: The Coalition for Community Development
Photo Credit: Kerri VanderHoff
“Giving circles are one of the best vehicles to make an impact on a local community. ”
Source: Scottsdale Progress
Photo: A New Leaf leaders Joe Dulin, Chief Philanthrophy Officer, and Laura Bode, Community and Civic Engagement Director
“The nonprofit aims to eliminate substandard housing and deplorable living conditions; create a safer living environment by improving accessibility.”
Source: Courier Tribune
Photo: Debbie Feldhaus and Dianne Ferrell, Co- Founders of Liberty Giving Circle and Clay McQuerry, Rebuilding Together’s executive director
“We practiced radical transparency and decided early on that we wouldn’t be defined by “turf.” Many philanthropic women sit at multiple tables. We aren’t in competition; we are in community.”
Source: Philanos Blog
Author: Paula Liang
“As members of giving circles, you are afforded the opportunity to really research and understand the issues that are impacting your community and how you can actually create change.”
Source: Tiny Spark Podcast at Nonprofit Quarterly
Photo: Giving Circle Network Leaders
“I learned that I could give by design and that philanthropy wasn’t one-size-fits-all. This is true for anyone who takes the time to give back and serve their community.”
Source: Blavity
Photo: Community Investment Network
Dianne Chipps Bailey, Managing Director, National Philanthropy Strategy Executive Philanthropic Solutions at Bank of America, shares year-end giving strategies, and thoughts on how to address the pandemic and racial justice issues.
Source: Barron’s Live
“As philanthropy leaders adapt to this moment, we must help those awakened by these crises stay engaged for the long-term. Large philanthropy, specifically large foundations, need to embrace innovative models, donor networks, and intermediary organizations that encourage sustained and deeper levels of engagement.”
Source: Philanthropy Women
Photo: Sudha Nandagopal, CEO of Social Venture Partners International
“There’s a longstanding gender gap in funding between organizations run by men, serving men or a broad population, and those run by women, serving a female population… less than 2% of philanthropic giving across the world is given to missions that support women and girls.”
Source: Dallas Morning News
Photo: Akilah Wallace, Founding Chair of HERitage Giving Fund
Photo Credit: Gbadebo
“People seeking to make donations over time might consider starting or joining giving circles, in which groups of like-minded people pool funds and choose organizations to support.”
Source: The New York Times
Photo: 100 Men of Oshawa
“The needs of Latinas have been heavily impacted by this year’s pandemic. We know that the path out of poverty and despair is through empowerment and education. At the H100 Latina Giving Circle, we are helping to pave the way to a brighter future. We are grateful to our donors who are creating multi-generational hope and helping to fuel the dreams of many Latinas.”
Source: People Newspapers
Photo: H100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation
“Many think philanthropy is just about giving money, but the word philanthropy actually means love of humankind. You give your time, talent and treasure which leads to testimony to build community.”
Source: The Be Well Beautiful Woman’s Podcast
Photo: Joy Webb, Founder of Circle of Joy
“One month after hosting a virtual panel discussion on racial and social injustice, the Catonsville Women’s Giving Circle is discussing ways to help local organizations promote equity and inclusion in the community.”
Source: The Baltimore Sun
Photo: Catonsville High School Senior leads a Black Lives Matter protest
Photo Credit: Kenneth K. Lam
“Giving Circles have existed since the beginning of time, we just haven’t called them that. Communities around the world have always had systems of supporting each other for communal prosperity.”
Source: Creating Community for Good Podcast
Photo: Latino Community Foundation’s Latino Giving Circle Network
Photo Credit: Bryan Patrick
“Election season is a time to think about what matters and make choices. As voters prepare to pick future leaders, a group of local women will soon cast ballots of a different sort. Each with $100 to give, they’ll pick a nonprofit to support.”
Source: The Daily Herald
Photo: 100+ Women Who Care About Snohomish County
“When one person makes a donation to a nonprofit, they can make a difference for one organization. Now imagine that you gathered with a group of friends, relatives, colleagues pooling resources, sharing ideas and expertise to make a much larger collective impact in your community.”
Source: Nonprofits are Messy Podcast
Photo: Executive Director Sara Lomelin at Philanthropy Together Convening in April 2019
Photo Credit: Bruce Tom, Gates Archive
“As donors from different philanthropic communities move resources to support pandemic-related issues, many are beginning to cite that having been a part of giving circle prior to Covid-19 allowed them to make faster, better decisions when compelled to give.”
Source: ForbesWomen
Photo: New England International Donors
“The Village Giving Circle officially launched in 2018 through Texas Women’s Foundation. To date they have raised more than $610,000 and awarded it to 21 organizations and initiatives benefiting African Americans, simply by inviting more women to join the mission.”
Source: Local Profile
Photo: The Village Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation
“With giving circles around the country reporting surging interest, this effort and Glenn’s graduating class [of Launchpadders] offer a window into the changing face of giving circles, the dynamics that are driving more people to them, and the potential for COVID-19 to birth a new generation of virtual groups.”
Source: Inside Philanthropy
Photo: The inaugural cohort of Launchpad participants
“Even though the median net worth of white Americans is about 10 times that of Black Americans, Black people give about the same percentage of their income to causes they care about.”
Source: The Philadelphia Citizen
Photo: Philadelphia Public School Giving Circle
“For too long, philanthropy has been seen as an exclusive club. Yet today, our country is experiencing a drastic reckoning… Who is called a philanthropist?”
Source: Philanthropy Women
Photo: Executive Director Sara Lomelin during the Live Q&A with Women’s Philanthropy Institute
“Since coronavirus devastated the United States in March, these giving circles have quickly adapted to provide resources for residents hit hard by coronavirus, leading the way for other philanthropic organizations.”
Source: The Denver Post
Photo: SPIN (Sisterhood of Philanthropists Impacting Needs)
Photo Credit: Helen H. Richardson
“Dining for Women prides itself on their significant number of repeat donors. Members are engaged, educating themselves about the grantees and the issues–all highly desired attributes by fundraisers.”
Source: Philanthropy Women
Photo: Beth Ellen Hollimon, Executive Director of Dining for Women
“Philanthropy Together (the newly named giving circle infrastructure initiative on which we’ve reported), recently shared its COVID-19 Resources for Giving Circles. Suggestions for circles include centering vulnerable populations, tending to members’ own needs, hosting pop-up circles, and more.”
Source: Inside Philanthropy
Photo Credit: Emily Geraghty / Shutterstock
“Financial contributions from the black community have been well-noted and consistent for generations, with “tithing” being an intricate part of black giving and the values of community and mutuality embedded in African traditional values carried over by slaves.”
Source: Forbes
Photo: Black Benefactors Giving Circle
Photo Credit: William Perigan
“Giving circles are our modern day solution to the challenges all women are experiencing today in our communities—isolation, a feeling of helplessness and a lack of opportunity to lead and voice our own visions. When we come together, we are unstoppable.”
Source: Ms. Magazine
Photo: Philanthropy Together Convening in April 2019
Photo Credit: Bruce Tom, Gates Archive
“In a high-stakes era, where anti-black racism is mounting and economic rifts are widening, philanthropy through participation in giving circles is attracting growing numbers of black Americans.”
Source: The Charlotte Post
Photo: New Generation of African American Philanthropists
“Giving circles are active in all 50 states, though the structure and level of donor commitment among groups can vary. Some circles meet informally a few times a year over dinner, while others are far more structured and may even be registered charities with sizable donation minimums and a volunteer commitment.”
Source: Wall Street Journal
Photo: San Diego Latina Giving Circle
Photo Credit: Adriana Loson-Ceballos
“There is tremendous anxiety out there about social inequality and how stratified our society is. People want to do something about it,” says David Callahan. “Giving circles create structure for people with shared values to learn about the causes they care about and support them while creating community.”
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Photo: Philadelphia Black Giving Circle
“The Asian Women Giving Circle, founded by Hali Lee in 2005 to support arts and cultural projects led by Asian-American women, takes a different approach. This 25-member group has a minimum $2,500 annual contribution; each member can raise those funds or donate them herself. The gatherings aim to create bonds among members and help develop deeper community connections.”
Source: New York Times
Photo: Hali Lee, Found of Asian Women Giving Circle
Photo Credit: Kholood Eid for The New York Times
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