Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s Post

Amidst the 2020 turmoil, on Juneteenth, a day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States, the Black Resilience in Colorado Fund (BRIC) was born. Led by Colorado Black community leaders, BRIC stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the resilience and determination of Black communities to take charge of their own destinies. BRIC's inception marked not just a moment but a long-term commitment to eradicate systemic oppression by investing in and directing resources to build community equality and equity. During the time following the murder of George Floyd, we watched a national frenzy of pledges and promises of support from corporations and foundations. Yet, their actions have fallen short of their words and commitments. The fulfillment of support has been a mere fraction of what was promised. Data reveals the stark truth: out of the $50 billion pledged, only about 5% has materialized, according to a report by The Washington Post, leaving Black-led and Black-serving organizations struggling to fulfill their mission. This failure to deliver on these promises has exacerbated (again) efforts to end the challenges faced by Black communities, particularly backsliding across economic and political gains. The urgency of this situation is further compounded by the plight of Black-led and serving nonprofits, which were encouraged to expand their programs and operations in response to increased needs and initial pledges. These organizations face shrinking resources today as philanthropic focus shifts to the "next shiny thing," jeopardizing progress and hindering future efforts. In the face of these challenges, the work of the Black Resilience in Colorado (BRIC) Fund is more critical than ever. BRIC is paving the way for a more just and equitable society by addressing systemic barriers and investing in initiatives that empower Black voices and solutions. As BRIC celebrates its fourth anniversary this month, it stands as a testament to Black communities' unwavering spirit despite ongoing struggles. However, the Fund cannot do it alone. It relies on the support of individuals, corporations, and foundations to fulfill its mission to make meaningful change. Therefore, we invite you to join us in this crucial endeavor. By giving your 5Ts - time, talent, treasure, testimony, or social ties, your contribution to the BRIC Fund can make a tangible difference in the lives of Black individuals and communities. Let us honor the promises made and uphold our commitment to racial justice. Let us stand in solidarity with Black communities and work towards a future where equality and equity are not just ideals but realities for all. The time to act is now. Join us in building a more resilient, equitable, and just Colorado and beyond – BRIC by BRIC! Source: The Washington Post - "Corporate America pledged $50 billion after George Floyd's death. Where did it go?" #BRICFundCO #Juneteenth #4thAnniversary #KeepingPromises #RacialJustice #GiveBlack #BRICbyBRIC

For Candid insights, in my conversation with Heather Infantry, Giving Gap's CEO, I dig into their newest report, the State of Black Nonprofits Report: 2024. Highlights include attributes of Black-founded nonprofits, the importance of funding them, the implications of the funding gap, and how they can best be supported. One key note: On average, Black-led nonprofits operate with revenues 24% lower than white-led ones. That's a $20 million funding gap. https://lnkd.in/dnwpxt2y

Today marks the 30-day countdown to Black Philanthropy Month 2024–creating new, bolder #AfroFuturesofGiving. There’s much talk about funding inequity for women and Black people on LinkedIn. Instead of trying to level the playing field for all entrepreneurs, including qualified, inspiring, bootstrapping Black women entrepreneurs who only get a meager .03% of funding, the Supreme Court has targeted us. It’s trying to make it illegal to pool our resources to support each and other women—a basic right not denied to any other US demographic. The inherently racist and sexist nature of the ruling is proven by the fact that the white men almost exclusively supporting each other are not held accountable for true merit-based funding in anyway. We know that this Supreme Court majority is dedicated to sustaining the unjust status quo by any means necessary. Now it’s time to move from shell-shocked reaction to proactive, strategic collective action for our financing freedom and inclusion. #BlackPhilanthropyMonth is an ideal time to declare what you will do to ensure all Americans can exercise freedom of assembly and collective financing. Here are two #BPM2024 actions that you can take today to make a difference: 1. Celebrate Black Women Finance Innovators in philanthropy and venture funding by taking *just 5 minutes* to nominate someone for the Reunity: Black Women Give Back Award by *July 5th* at https://lnkd.in/eYp24YUB 2. Organize a Social Action for Black Philanthropy Month in August 2024. You’ll be joining millions of people worldwide documenting and uplifting our community finance traditions, raising public awareness of our civic contributions, and advocating for funding equity. Together we are a massive, multibillion dollar movement that can make a difference for our communities everywhere! Register your event or campaign on our website so that we can highlight it with this link, https://lnkd.in/e6F5uA6E Also, check out some ideas for your #BPM2024 August project https://lnkd.in/ebzeeNMK. Let’s build a mutually supportive, national and global economy of giving that changes the world for good for all, despite the backwards rulings of an obviously corrupt Supreme Court majority more interested in kickbacks than justice. Floyd Jones BackBlack Toya Randall Voice. Vision. Value. Black Women Leading Philanthropy GIFE ABFE. A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities Adriana Barbosa Antonia Apolinario-Wilcoxon, Ed. D Tsehai Wodajo Nunu Kidane Ebonie Johnson Cooper Gillian Marcelle, PhD Fearless Fund

"By compiling, contextualizing and publishing biographical and other historical information about the origins of philanthropic wealth, the stories of harm experienced by Black people become unavoidable and, more importantly, actionable – especially for funders with a commitment to racial equity or racial justice. Research that connects and centers stories of local Black communities can generate energy, opportunities and concrete actions for foundations to engage in reparations and healing efforts. This report is both an invitation and a roadmap for local foundations – studied and otherwise – to do exactly that. Although our immediate focus is the DMV, the methodology and recommendations can serve as a model for funders and activists in other cities and regions. In addition, we believe this framework and process has potential applications not just for philanthropy, but for those grappling with these questions in the public and private sectors as well." Executive Summary of National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy's report: Cracks in the Foundation, Philanthropy's Role in Reparations for Black People in the DMV.  

Interesting Article!

Spot on reading for those of us who have found ourselves in the nonprofit industrial complex. Anyone have other recommended readings? "However, we need to admit that boards in general are seriously problematic. I have a Rule of One-Thirds when it comes to boards: 1/3 of them are helpful, 1/3 are useless, and 1/3 are actually harmful. This means that 2/3 of nonprofit boards are useless or harmful. For every good-board story, there are countless tales of crappy boards. Those who micromanage the staff. Those who get buried in operations, wasting their time scrutinizing font selections and toilet paper purchases. Those who prevent progress, like the boards who refuse to allow their organizations to publicly support Black Lives Matter, thinking it’s too “political.” Even among the boards I’ve worked with, I’ve dealt with my fair share of crappiness, like the time my board blocked a paid family leave policy that the staff all supported and the entire sector is moving toward." https://lnkd.in/gUKM2psD

Important read!

🍋🍋🍋 Enjoy the #show on #loving each other more … free ticket 🎟️ #MeanWhile … #backATdaClub … #Veterans #Legacy #Health #Alliance come work for the nonprofit sector #nonprofit #Sunday #Giving #back #to those that work #hardest for you and your family #globalworks #willbuyUrstuff #farmers #yodafreaks #1BillionNART2sellforgoodvibes #therealstuff. #And… one bullet trade shorting your worst bets The stickers work best on mangos, avocados, papayas, dragon fruit, start fruits, cantaloupes, cucumbers, apples, pears, etc. You can place the stickers on fruit to help keep them firm, sweet, and juicy. Initial studies showed the sticker can extend the freshness of certain fruits by up to 50%. #weKeepitGreenerthanMost The one goal, we have many, is to help put an end to food waste and help farmers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers save money. #insurance #innovation we hit water policy hard ! 3. https://lnkd.in/ge3KHHMM 3. https://lnkd.in/gDa5RtBU 3. https://lnkd.in/gAhMRERa https://lnkd.in/gTneuJvP

In an Op-ed originally published in the CT Post, FCCF President & CEO Mendi Blue Paca shines a spotlight on the remarkable and often unnoticed philanthropic efforts of Black Americans. Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/dJ2i_jEj #TogetherWeThrive #BlackPhilanthropy #BlackPhilanthropyMonth23 #BPM23

A harrowing report from YOUNG BLACK & GIVING BACK INSTITUTE via The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Learn more. (Subscription-based but can read for free.) At our Foundation, we feel a moral imperative to adopt a central commitment to achieving racial justice. Our region cannot afford to continue to leave so many behind if our aspiration is for sustainable growth. Read more about our commitment in our strategic plan: https://lnkd.in/gBXXyvkC