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philanthropy

Published on
2 mins read

Spelman College Receives $100 Million Donation, Largest-Ever Single Gift to an HBCU

Spelman College

Spelman College, renowned for its historic role in educating and empowering Black women, erupted in jubilation today as it announced a monumental $100 million donation – the largest single gift ever received by a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). This transformational gesture comes at a particularly poignant moment, coinciding with the centennial anniversary of the college’s official naming in 1924.

The gift originates from businesswoman and philanthropist Ronda Stryker, a Spelman College Trustee since 1997, and her husband, William Johnston, Chairman of Greenleaf Trust.

“We are invigorated and inspired by this incredible act of generosity,” declared Dr. Helene Gayle, president of Spelman College. “This gift is a critical step in our school’s mission to eliminate financial barriers to starting and finishing a Spelman education. We can’t thank Ronda Stryker enough for her selflessness and support as both a trustee and friend. There’s no doubt that Spelman College is better because of her.”

A cornerstone of the initiative is a $75 million commitment to endowed scholarships, ensuring that brilliant young minds can pursue their academic dreams at Spelman regardless of financial constraints. This investment in talented young Black women promises to enrich the college’s vibrant community and contribute to a more diverse and equitable future.

Not only will financial accessibility be enhanced, but the remaining $25 million will be used to cultivate new avenues for intellectual exploration and growth. A dedicated focus on public policy and democracy will empower Spelman students to become influential agents of change in their communities and beyond. Additionally, improvements to student housing and the allocation of flexible funding for strategic needs will further create a nurturing and well-equipped environment for academic excellence.

This landmark donation transcends its financial magnitude. It serves as a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of Spelman College and its unwavering commitment to nurturing the intellectual and societal leadership of Black women. As the college embarks on its next century, Stryker and Johnston’s transformative gift provides a vital springboard for Spelman to continue shaping the future, one extraordinary woman at a time.

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Published on
7 mins read

Philanthropy Redefined: The Bold Ventures Approach to Eliminating Disparities

bold ventures

Bold Ventures is not your typical advisory firm; it’s a catalyst for change in the world of philanthropy. Founded by Jessyca Dudley, this organization is on a mission to eliminate disparities through relationship, repair, and the redistribution of wealth.

With a profound commitment to reshaping the philanthropic landscape, Bold Ventures is pioneering a new approach to philanthropy that challenges the status quo and empowers individuals, families, foundations, and donor communities to create a more equitable world. 

We caught up with Jessyca to explore the inspiration behind the establishment of Bold Ventures and how the organization is driving transformative change in the realm of giving.

bold ventures
The Bold Ventures Team (R to L) Crystal Shaw, Melissa Gomez, Alysha Catalano and Jessyca Dudley

What inspired you to establish Bold Ventures?

Having grown up in the vibrant city of Chicago, I’ve witnessed firsthand how philanthropy often falls short in embracing diverse communities and their lived experiences. My journey has led me to engage with philanthropy from both sides – as a seeker of funding and as a grantmaker. Throughout this experience, I’ve observed how the opaqueness of philanthropic practices tends to impede access to crucial funding for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)  communities.

Our commitment to challenging the conventional philanthropic model and empowering impactful leaders in the pursuit of racial equity stems directly from our personal encounters and interactions within the philanthropic sphere. We’re driven by a profound desire to witness a transformative shift within this sector.

We firmly believe that it’s imperative for more individuals to comprehend and actively participate in philanthropy to catalyze this much-needed change toward equity. Effecting this transformation requires unwavering dedication and courageous leadership from each one of us. It’s a call to action for us all to boldly reshape the system.

How does Bold Ventures support individuals and families in their efforts to address wealth disparities? 

At Bold Ventures, we leverage our expertise and experience to cultivate confidence in the ability of wealth holders, business owners, and community leaders to influence the giving sector, challenge its current practices, and effect change. We work with our clients at all stages of the giving process to facilitate alignment between their impact goals and the values of racial justice, equity, and fairness. We believe that when values, relationships, and resources are strategically aligned, you are positioned to build a more just and equitable world — authentically. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide uprisings resulting from the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other innocent Black people in 2020, an increased awareness grew among leaders of the public, private, and philanthropic sectors of the need to confront the impact of their contributions to systemic racism; driving a resulting urgency to address the burden of historic divestment, underinvestment, and exclusion of BIPOC communities in their strategies.

At this moment, we worked alongside the Katz Amsterdam Foundation (KAF), as they sought to expand the focus of its giving to include racially equitable strategies. But, with limited staff capacity and at the beginning of their own racial equity journey KAF knew it needed external guidance. KAF identified Bold Ventures to help both family and foundation staff better understand the broad landscape of strategies for addressing racial inequities and to identify the most promising areas where its investments could make an impact.

Ultimately, family and staff were supported to align their passion for improving access to mental and behavioral health and their long standing commitment to civic engagement to create two new funding programs that center BIPOC communities.

What does “repair” mean in the context of Bold Ventures, and how does it play a role in your advisory work?

In the context of philanthropy, the concept of “repair” centers on the dedicated pursuit of rectifying historical and ongoing injustices or disparities inherent in philanthropic practices and their repercussions on communities. We firmly acknowledge the intrinsic worth of every individual and the sanctity of our connections, which serve as guiding principles that compel us to engage with utmost intentionality. 

Our approach is characterized by openness, empathy, and a commitment to understanding the diverse needs and experiences of the communities we aim to support. In every interaction, we prioritize care, thoughtful consideration, and genuine compassion.  It represents our dedication to fostering a philanthropic ecosystem that is not only more attuned and responsive but also fundamentally inclusive and equitable.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure that the positive impact of philanthropy extends to those who have historically been underserved or marginalized by its practices, thereby fostering a more just and inclusive society.

What can philanthropists do to be more effective?

Invest in building long-term relationships grounded in trust. Place confidence in the truth, ability, and insights of communities of color as they develop impactful solutions that address the disparities they endure. 

What are some long-term goals and aspirations for Bold Ventures?

We envision a just world where BIPOC people and communities have the power of self-determination, the resources, and the autonomy to dream into life new ways of being that bring an end to extractive practices and create a society of belonging and inclusion for all.

Through our learning community, All Together Bold, and our relationships with our clients and partners we are aiming to build spaces in the social sector where individuals working towards racial, cultural, and financial equity can come together for learning, skills development, and candid conversations.

by Tony O. Lawson

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Published on
5 mins read

Giving Black: The Transformative Power of Black Philanthropy

black philanthropy

Philanthropy plays a crucial role in creating positive change and addressing societal issues, particularly in the Black community.

By promoting equity, addressing systemic inequality, and supporting individual and community empowerment, philanthropy can make a significant impact.

Christal, the founder of Head and Heart Philanthropy, is dedicated to helping people and organizations maximize their impact through her social impact firm. She also serves as a board member of the National Black MBA Association and as the Chair of the Board of the Africa-America Institute.

In this interview, we delve into Christal’s perspective on philanthropy and her endeavors to empower the Black community through her work.

What inspired you to become a philanthropist?

The goal was never to be a philanthropist as much as it was to be a good citizen.  I believe when you are blessed you should seek to be a blessing to others.

I can not remember a time growing up when my family was not giving to help people.  In my mind, it’s the normal human response to help people when they need it and you have the capacity, especially when your support will make a difference.

As a senior in high school, I was selected to be a part of a United Way initiative called Kid’s Way.  This opportunity provided me with a life-changing opportunity to see up close the importance of philanthropy. We were involved in every aspect from raising the funds to being a part of the deployment of capital.

I’m so fortunate to be able to build a career around my values.   It was what I saw in my family and early exposure to the sector was very impactful.  Being engaged in philanthropy is a great way to serve others.

What are some common misconceptions about philanthropy?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to be extremely wealthy and that’s not the case.  We all have something to give and that’s where you start.  I started by supporting ideas and organizations that I’m passionate about.

Most people may not know that my first convening and the five years to follow were all about the role of philanthropy in addressing stubborn social problems.

I still believe as I have for nearly two decades that philanthropy is a very important sector.  Being engaged in philanthropy has a way of bringing people from diverse walks of life and lived experiences to focus on one common goal.

What are your top philanthropic interests and why?

My top philanthropic interest is supporting young people.  I believe it is very important to support the leadership development of young people.  It gives them a sense of ownership of the world that they will have to live in and manage.

As board chair of the Africa-America Institute, my exposure to the tremendous talent on the continent of Africa will likely be a place where I hope to make an impact through philanthropy.

What is your impact investing thesis?

My work for the past two decades has been focused on closing gaps.  One of those gaps is economic.  When financial issues are addressed then many of the other societal issues will also be addressed.

The global pandemic showed us the impact of years of lack of investment in underserved entrepreneurs revealing how fragile our society has become.

My thesis is pretty straightforward if we can invest in those proximate to innovators and entrepreneurs, then we are closer to creating an inclusive economy where everyone can participate.    An inclusive economy is a healthy economy and that is good for everyone.

What advice do you have for aspiring philanthropists?

My advice to aspiring philanthropists is to start giving where you are with what you have. 🙂

In the words of the late great, Gwendolyn Brooks, “We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.”

by Tony O. Lawson

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Published on
4 mins read

How to Start a Successful Nonprofit

nonprofit

Starting a nonprofit is an amazing way to make a difference in your community. However, it can be easy to get caught up in dreams of effecting change and underestimate the time and resources it takes to start a nonprofit from scratch.

The process can be pretty overwhelming if you’re not prepared. This article explains the steps you need to take to start and grow a successful nonprofit. Keep reading to learn more!

How to Start a Successful Nonprofit

1. Do Your Research

The first step to establishing a successful nonprofit is to conduct thorough research. Ask yourself some of the following questions:

  • Is there a need for your organization within your community?
  • Are there other organizations with similar goals working to fulfill the same mission as yours?
  • If there are other organizations, would teaming up with them to combine your energy and resources be more feasible?
  • Is starting a nonprofit the only solution, or are there other alternatives for you to consider, such as fundraising for a cause or establishing a chapter of a pre-existing nonprofit?
  • What hurdles will you face in the initial stages of your development, and how can you overcome them?

Consider these questions and try to find well-researched, practical answers for them. At the end of your research, if you find that your community would benefit from your organization, then follow the next few steps to successfully launch your nonprofit!

2. Develop a Business Plan

Like every other business, your nonprofit will also require a business plan that will serve as the elevator pitch to convince donors to provide funds for your organization.

Your business plan must include an executive summary of your goals, explain your organizational structure, describe your services and programs, outline your target demographic, propose a marketing strategy and a realistic financial plan.

This part of the process can take a while to complete as it requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and skill on your part.

3. Build Your Board

Your board of directors is a crucial part of ensuring your nonprofit’s success. The board oversees your organizations’ day-to-day operations, makes sure that all your activities promote your organizational mission, and helps secure the adequate funding required to execute that mission.

Recruit the right members to serve on the board by identifying key duties and responsibilities and drafting relevant job descriptions. Try to find board members who have expertise in finances, legal matters, and marketing. Also, look for well-connected people within your community who are comfortable asking for donations from their own networks.

4. Incorporate Your Nonprofit

The first step of the incorporation process is to choose a business name. Then decide on the legal structure of your organization; you can categorize your business as a trust, association, or corporation.

Ensure that all your incorporation paperwork meets state requirements before filing them. Finally, you need to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). It serves as your organization’s social security number. All businesses need an EIN, irrespective of whether they have employees.

 

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Published on
2 mins read

Black Owned Telecom Company Donates Over 700,000 Units of Personal Protection Equipment to Healthcare Workers

Black Owned Telecom Company

Figgers Communications is one of the only Black owned telecom company in the United States.

Committed to making the world a better place by donating a percentage of the company’s profits to pro-social efforts, philanthropist and CEO Freddie Figgers has spearheaded a campaign to provide critical assistance to thousands of healthcare workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Florida-based non-profit is donating and distributing approximately 700,000 units of personal protection equipment (“PPE”) to Coronavirus outbreak hotspots around the country.

These hotspots include hospitals and healthcare workers in New York, Washington State, California, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, and Michigan. The donations include some of the most crucial PPE equipment such as surgical masks, N95 masks, face shields and hazardous material protective coveralls.

“When I saw the virus in China and how it affected the nearly 1.5 billion population, I knew it was only a matter of time before it struck home here in America,” said Figgers. “I knew the pandemic could potentially overwhelm our healthcare system and began planning to gather critical supplies, such as PPEs, anticipating that access to protective gear could become an issue for healthcare professionals on the front lines.

I was able to purchase these supplies directly from manufacturers before they would be overwhelmed themselves. We are grateful to be able to make this contribution and stand with American first responders as they work tirelessly to battle this global health crisis. I am personally committed to doing everything in my power to make the world a better place.”

Distribution of PPE donations will continue while supplies last – if you are a healthcare provider in need of PPE for your patient care staff, please submit a request by visiting The Figgers Foundation website at http://www.figgersfoundation.org.

 

Source: PR Web

Related: Black Owned Telecom Firm Donates 500 Free Phones to Help Families in Puerto Rico

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2 mins read

Black Millionaire Pledged $1 Million To Help The Unemployed During COVID-19 crisis

Willie Wilson

In March, Chicago based businessman and philanthropist, Willie Wilson announced he would be sending $100 to 10,000 people who have recently lost their job due to COVID-19.

Wilson has a rags-to-riches life story that began when he left his humble Louisiana home at age 13 with only a seventh-grade education. He went from earning 20 cents an hour in cotton and sugar cane fields to founding Omar Medical Supplies Inc., a business that distributes gloves and protective clothing to restaurant chains, governmental institutions, and hotels.

He has donated hundreds of thousands of masks to Sinai Health System and 22 other community organizations, 20,000 to Jackson Park Hospital, 10,000 to the Westside NAACP, 50,000 to the Chicago Transit Authority and 10,000 for correctional officers at the Cook County Jail.

He also has given masks to ministers and aldermen to hand out in the community and donated others to senior citizen facilities.

“Folks are anxious. Folks are afraid, and their future is uncertain. We’re all in this together. So, we must pull together. [In] just a small way I can help bridge the gap until the government steps up and does what’s right, quickly, for those in need. I am blessed to be able to do it,” Wilson said in a statement.

Per the Willie Wilson Foundation website, “We have exhausted our funding for this $1 Million Dollar Giveaway. If you would like to be considered for our next event, please continue to register.  ”

Willie Wilson
Looks like some folks actually got their $$

To learn more about his next event, visit the Willie Wilson Foundation website.

 

-Tony O. Lawson

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Published on
4 mins read

Billion Dollar Black Owned Real Estate Company Launches a Fund to invest in over a dozen Black organizations

Osei Rubie Charitable Fund

The Osei Rubie Charitable Fund is the philanthropic arm of National Standard Abstract (NSA), a family – and Black-owned title insurance firm that in just four years has closed over $1 billion in real estate transactions.

Osei Rubie Charitable Fund
Osei Rubie

In its inaugural year, the fund awarded $100,000 to help more than a dozen organizations advance black culture, education, and generational wealth.

From education to entrepreneurship, the organizations sponsored by the Fund are shifting the paradigm and changing the narrative for thousands of youth and their families.

Impact

“Our greatest achievement in life is the inheritance that we leave behind for our children. As a father, I wanted to create new pathways that would empower us as descendants of Africa to reclaim and rebuild what was lost in the past 400 years,” said Rubie, a longstanding advocate for community and economic development.

“A high school education is often a dream deferred for so many deserving students unable to afford the cost of tuition to attend some of Jamaica’s leading high schools.

The Osei Rubie Charitable Fund has helped us expand our capacity to provide six additional scholarships totaling forty-two and offer new laptops to 10th-grade students for this academic year,” said Dwight Green, the executive director of Future Leaders of Jamaica.

“One gesture of goodwill, such as purchasing a team’s uniforms, is all it could take to forever transform minds and communities. With the generous support from the Osei Rubie Charitable Fund, we were able to subsidize the enrollment fees for several of our scholar-athletes whose families did not have the financial wherewithal,” said Jacques M. Léandre, Esq., president of the Rosedale Jets Football Association.

The Osei Rubie Charitable Fund is empowering families of all sizes and economic backgrounds by expanding access to supportive services, scholarships, mentoring, and career development.

“Our No. 19 ranking among all HBCUs underscores both the high quality of the education we provide and the cost-effective, real-world value a degree from Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) represents.  We are able to achieve this important ranking because of the committed support from donors like Mr. Osei Rubie and the Osei Rubie Charitable fund,” stated Brenda A. Allen, president of Lincoln University.

“This has been a very long five years; college has really been hard for me. I learned a lot from experiences that taught me lessons that I will take with me for the rest of my life. I would have never expected to end my college years with a scholarship in the form of a computer, and I am truly grateful for it,” said Ellisa Martin, a Lincoln University senior and first recipient of the Osei Rubie Technology Scholarship.

Rubie hopes that his Fund will serve as a blueprint to establish a pipeline for young, seasoned, and retired professionals to make monetary contributions and impart their life experiences towards building a better tomorrow.

 

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1 min read

Billionaire Robert Smith to pay off Morehouse Class of 2019’s student loans

robert smith

Billionaire Robert F. Smith, who received an honorary doctorate at Morehouse College’s Sunday morning graduation exercises, had already announced a $1.5 million gift to the school.

But during his remarks in front of the nearly 400 graduating seniors, the billionaire technology investor and philanthropist surprised some by announcing that his family was providing a grant to eliminate the student debt of the entire Class of 2019.

“This is my class,” he said, “and I know my class will pay this forward.”

The announcement elicited the biggest cheers of the morning.

Tonga Releford, whose son Charles Releford III is a member of the Class of 2019, estimates that his student loans are right at about $70,000.

“I feel like it’s Mother’s Day all over again,” she said.

The gift has been estimated at $40 million.

 

Source and feature image: AJC

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2 mins read

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Auctions off NBA Championship Rings for STEM Education

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Fans can own a piece of NBA history thanks to Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The basketball great is auctioning off hundreds of pieces of memorabilia and including four NBA championship rings.

Much of the proceeds will go to his Skyhook Foundation, which brings STEM educational opportunities – science, technology, engineering and math — to underserved communities.

“When it comes to choosing between storing a championship ring or trophy in a room, or providing kids with an opportunity to change their lives, the choice is pretty simple. Sell it all,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote on his blog.

“Looking back on what I have done with my life, instead of gazing at the sparkle of jewels or gold plating celebrating something I did a long time ago, I’d rather look into the delighted face of a child holding their first caterpillar and think about what I might be doing for their future,” he added.

The basketball great teamed up with Goldin Auctions to help sell off the memorabilia, some of which has minimum bids set at tens of thousands of dollars.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

How many NBA championship rings does Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have? A whopping six — and four are now up for auction. In addition to those historic rings, Abdul-Jabbar’s 1985 All-Star ring, a 1989 used and signed basketball and an MVP trophy are among the highly-coveted items receiving bids well over the prices listed as minimum bids. receiving bids well over the prices listed as minimum bids.

Abdul-Jabbar’s foundation states this its mission is to “Give kids a shot that can’t be blocked.” Its flagship program is a camp for fourth and fifth graders that hopes to inspire students to focus on STEM education. Campy Skyhook takes the kids on a five-day immersive experience in the Angeles National Forest.

“I can do more than stuff a ball through a hoop; my greatest asset is my mind,” Abdul-Jabbar says on the foundation’s website.

 

Source: CBS

 

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Published on
4 mins read

GIVING BLACK: The Many Reasons Why We Should Financially Support our Favorite Causes.

Giving

“Black people are the most generous people on this Earth.” That’s a paraphrase of one of my father’s many bits of socio-philosophical brilliance.

He usually uses it in reference to Black folks’ collective emotional generosity – how forgiving we can be in welcoming some Black celebrity back into our loving fold after some public transgression, even if amends haven’t been fully made. But we are also a people who are quite generous with our material and financial resources.

Black folks’ survival and progress have always been rooted in how well we cultivate Ujima (Collective work and responsibility) and Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics).  Many of us have never even considered adopting the title of “philanthropist.”

All the same, generations of church folks, sorority sisters/fraternity brothers, coaches, educators, mentors, activists, etc. have reliably identified our communties’ needs and valiantly employed ever-more creative fundraising to get those needs met. This, indeed, is precisely what philanthropy looks like.

Young Docs DC
Young Docs DC

While altruism can inspire us to be more strategic and impactful with our charitable dollars, mainstream non-profit organizations aren’t always the most accessible or welcoming to Black people as change agents or to our self-determined issues and concerns as philanthropic priorities.

A great way to navigate this murky space is to commit to learning more about smaller, local non-profit organizations or about local chapters of larger national groups like NAACP (www.naacp.org).   These groups often afford increased access to staff and decision-makers, giving donors greater opportunity to learn about and influence organizational philosophy and greater confidence in the stewardship of funds raised. 

Donors will also feel more rewarded – and encouraged to give more generously – when the impact of an organization’s work can be readily seen and felt in the donors’ communities. 

VRA

Black folks can also consider joining a giving circle like The Black Benefactors (www.blackbenefactors.org), pooling resources with like-minded Black donors to increase the giving impact as well as gaining valuable insights about giving mechanisms and strategies for individuals and groups alike.

2015-BB

Black people have a broad and deep tradition of giving, from car washes that support a young neighbor’s college costs to multi-million dollar capital campaigns for sustaining our Historically Black Colleges and Universities. We must continue to build on that tradition. 

Guided by the generations-strong spirit of black charity, let’s combine insight from analyzing structures and systems that affect our well-being at every level with the power of organizing and collective action.

Let’s pledge to talk more frequently and intentionally with loved ones about organizations known for their dedication Black people’s advancement and about how we can pool resources to sustain and influence that good work.

DSC_0701
Howard University students perform community service nationally and internationally

With eyes on the prize of Black freedom, here are some organizations to learn about:

Young Docs DC

The Algebra Project

Black Benefactors 

Black Youth Project 100 

The Dream Defenders 

Any of the 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (refer to United Negro College Fund for a list)

Kings Against Violence Initiative 

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 

National Society of Black Engineers 

Teaching for Change 

Young Peoples’ Project 

admin_bookstore-change-hands
Teaching for Change Bookstore in Washington, DC

–  By Guest Contributor: Nzinga Tull

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