(PHILADELPHIA) - The Philadelphia Black Giving Circle (PBGC) is holding its inaugural launch from 5:30 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Independence Live, 1919 Market Street-2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103. The Philadelphia Black Giving Circle was started by a group of local Black professionals from the civic and philanthropic sectors eager to create a sustainable source of grants to strengthen and support Black-led and Black-serving non-profits in Philadelphia. The launch will bring together leaders from the Black philanthropic and civic sectors as well as individual philanthropists from the greater community. (Click here to register for the event.)
A 2016 report on the state of Black non-profits in Philadelphia commissioned by the Philadelphia African-American Leadership Forum demonstrated that Black-led non-profits rely more on government funding, have fewer cash reserves and serve more low-income people than White led non-profits. The PBGC was created to address some of the issues raised in the AALF report but specifically to develop a forum to support Black non-profits, build an inclusive and broad-based Black philanthropic community and promote discussion of issues facing Black non-profits and the City’s Black community at large. “The Philadelphia Black Giving Circle will generate resources which will help strengthen the impact of Black non-profits in Philadelphia” says Allison Acevedo PBGC Co-Chair.
The PBGC is hosted by POISE Foundation, a Black-led community foundation founded in 1980 whose mission is to highlight and build the assets and strengths of Black families and community. “We are honored to host the Philadelphia Black Giving Circle,” explains Mark Lewis, President and CEO of POISE Foundation. “Our shared interest of collectively supporting Black community through philanthropy has created a natural and authentic relationship between POISE and PBGC.”
Sidney Hargro, Executive Director Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, explains the Philadelphia Black Giving Circle will continue a tradition of giving that is rooted in the Black community. “Historically, the Black community has always valued the giving of money, goods, and time to support worthy causes, though the term 'philanthropy' was not necessarily used to describe these efforts. The Philadelphia Black Giving Circle will be a formal catalyst that builds on this rich tradition to create and scale social change in our region.”
PBGC plans to engage the community and build membership over the next year to create a source of funds and award grants this year. Over $10,000 has already been raised from corporate, non-profit and individual donors to support the Philadelphia Black Giving Circle.
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Contact:
Allison Acevedo, PBGC Co-Chair
215-681-8956
phillyblackgiving@gmail.com
www.phillyblackgiving.org