Our Commitment to Racial Justice

Racial justice is an ongoing practice that we center in our work—whether by standing in solidarity with Brooklyn communities at the margins of power and access, marshaling resources to maximize the economic potential of racial justice across the borough, or continuously strengthening our community-led grantmaking approach.

Giving for Racial Justice

People of color represent 62% of all Brooklyn’s residents; nearly 1 in 5 Brooklynites live in poverty.

The racial wealth gap between white and BIPOC residents in Brooklyn is between $40 and $50 billion.

Across Brooklyn, there are significant and persistent racial disparities in the distribution of power, wealth, resources, and opportunities in our communities. We believe that achieving racial justice is inextricably linked with economic justice. The racial wealth gap between white and BIPOC residents is between $40 and $50 billion, representing the effects of four centuries of institutional and systemic racism, and is responsible for persistent disparities in income, health, education, and opportunity.

We intend to shift this paradigm and contribute to a future where everyone, from every background, is free to pursue their passions, earn what they need to live comfortably, and provide for the next generation.

We advance our commitment to racial justice through:

• Grantmaking to Brooklyn nonprofits that are addressing racial justice issues in their communities.
• Advocacy and thought leadership to engage our partners, communities, and the greater philanthropic sector in promoting and advancing racial equity.
• Centering Racial Justice in our partnerships with nonprofits and donors to deepen their understanding of how racism is institutionalized in our systems and practices, and to create a foundation for new approaches.