Press release from Philadelphia Foundation
PHILADELPHIA, PA (5/12/2021) – Philadelphia Foundation today announced the creation of the Black Community Leaders Fund (BCL) to fortify Black-led nonprofit organizations serving Black communities in Greater Philadelphia.
The Fund includes an initial $1 million contribution from Facebook, which selected Philadelphia Foundation as its regional partner in the company’s $20 million “Supporting Black Communities” initiative. The Black Community Leaders Fund will provide selected nonprofits with operational and capacity-building support to enable strong leadership, resilient operations and finances, and greater infrastructure to weather unexpected adversity.
“Through this focused effort, we want to raise awareness of the critical roles that highly effective Black organizations play in Black Communities and how important it is to invest in their resilience and leadership,” said Pedro A. Ramos, President and CEO, Philadelphia Foundation. “The Philadelphia Foundation has long supported many of these important community organizations, and with this timely grant from Facebook and several additional inaugural supporters, we have the opportunity to move the needle further and faster.”
Addressing A Need
A report by the Philadelphia African American Leadership Forum funded in part by Philadelphia Foundation — How African American-led Organizations Differ from White-led Organizations: Research Report on African American Nonprofit Organization in Philadelphia — shows Black-led organizations have less access to financial networks than majority-led organizations.
The report notes that Black-led nonprofits have smaller staffs, have fewer cash reserves and are more dependent on government grants than white-led organizations. These factors can make Black-led organizations more vulnerable to recessions and changes in government, and thus more financially precarious than white-led organizations.
Community Support
Philadelphia Foundation is one of 20 community foundations nationwide to receive a grant from Facebook as a part of its broad-based commitment to support Black businesses, creators and nonprofits.
“We’re excited to work with Philadelphia Foundation to help bring much needed-funding to nonprofits that are serving and supporting the Black community in Greater Philadelphia,” said Marcy Scott Lynn, Director of Global Impact Partnerships at Facebook. “We’re providing funding directly to the Philadelphia Foundation to build on its track record of supporting Black-led nonprofits and ensure that people locally are making the decisions about where these dollars are most needed and can have the most impact.”
Building on Facebook’s initial gift, Philadelphia Foundation will look to grow the Black Community Leaders Fund to $5 million through additional private, foundation and corporate gifts to help meet the vast needs of undercapitalized, Black-led organizations. Philadelphia Foundation is contributing $500,000 from its discretionary funds to this effort. Additional inaugural support of $200,000 over two years has been provided by the Barra Foundation, as well as $100,000 from the S. Albert Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation. Those interested in helping reach the $5-million goal may contact BlackLeadersFund@philafound.org.
Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Greater Philadelphia can access the Black Community Leaders Fund application here. Grants, which will fund general operating support and capacity building, will be considered on a rolling basis throughout the year and are anticipated to range from $5,000 to $100,000, depending on the nonprofit’s needs and budget.
To view more information and eligibility criteria please visit: philafound.org/BlackCommunityLeaders.
A Record of Supporting the Black Community
Philadelphia Foundation’s more than 100-year legacy of supporting marginalized communities fortifies its enduring mission to bring resources to bear that serve the most vulnerable in the interest of truly changing circumstances that strengthen communities, build resilience and invest in potential. The Marian Anderson Historical Society and Mother Bethel AME Church, among many other Black institutions, are supported through Philadelphia Foundation’s component funds. Other Philadelphia Foundation funds address civil rights and health disparities which disproportionately affect Black populations.
For additional information about the Black Community Leaders Fund, contact Philip Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Grantmaking, at pfitzgerald@philafound.org.
About Philadelphia Foundation
Founded in 1918, Philadelphia Foundation strengthens the economic, social and civic vitality of Greater Philadelphia. Philadelphia Foundation grows effective philanthropic investment, connects individuals and institutions across sectors and geography, and advances civic initiatives through partnerships and collaboration. A publicly supported foundation, the Philadelphia Foundation manages more than 1,000 charitable funds established by its donors and makes over 1,000 grants and scholarship awards each year. To learn more, visit: philafound.org.