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Black Philanthropy Builds Brooklyn
I am Black Philanthropy
Video By BackBlack & Black Philanthropy Month
Black philanthropy builds Brooklyn.
It looks like Black leaders creating solutions rooted in their communities. Black-led organizations building power, protecting culture, expanding opportunity, and caring for their neighbors. Black donors, organizers, advocates, and residents deciding that Brooklyn’s future should be shaped by the people who know it best. At Brooklyn Org, we see that work across our borough every day.
We’re proud to invest in Black-led nonprofits, support leaders with more than funding alone, and bring Brooklyn residents into the decisions about where resources should go. Under the leadership of our President and CEO, Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, we are working to build a model of philanthropy that listens more closely, shares power, and backs the people already building a stronger, more fair and just Brooklyn.
This Black Philanthropy Month, we’re celebrating some of the leaders and organizations putting that vision into practice. We are also excited to share that Dr. Rainey is being featured in BackBlack and Black Philanthropy Month‘s “Many Voices. One Movement.” storytelling series this month (watch the first video in the series above!).
Since 2023, BackBlack and Black Philanthropy Month have helped direct more than $11.5 million to over 1,300 Black-led nonprofits. This year, they are expanding the story of Black philanthropy by highlighting the many ways our communities invest in one another—through art, advocacy, leadership, healing, culture, and collective care.
As BackBlack notes, Black-led nonprofits remain underfunded by donors compared to white-led organizations:
Follow our social media throughout August to learn more as we recognize Black philanthropy in action.
About BackBlack
Originally conceived during the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s 2023 Greater Giving Summit, the Giving Platform Collaborative and the BackBlack campaign underscore the importance of collaborating with partners across philanthropy, business, and communities to advance justice and equal opportunity. This central hub is part of the first phase where donors, giving platforms, and Black-led nonprofits and organizations can connect each other with resources and funding to achieve shared goals.
About Black Philanthropy Month
Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) is a global celebration and campaign to elevate African-descent giving and funding equity.
It was founded in 2011 by Dr. Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland, with deep roots tracing back to 2001 through the support of Reunity (formerly the Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network). BPM was originally incubated by The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund (WISE) and launched globally with its first official summit in 2011, commemorating the United Nations’ International Year and Decade of People of African Descent.
Since its inception, BPM has grown into the world’s only global Diasporan community coalition and movement dedicated to celebrating and empowering Black giving in all its forms—from philanthropy to business and venture investment. What began as a visionary effort by a group of committed women leaders across the Black Diaspora has evolved into a powerful movement with over 19 million participants across 60 countries.
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