Dear Friends,
Is it me, or did 2023 fly by? How quickly seasons change. Yet some things remain the same. And while the #BRICFund has made remarkable strides since being established in June 2020, there’s much more work to do. But I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight some of the incredible efforts that we were able to complete in 2023:
*Continuing to foster connections and mutual support by and for Black nonprofits, leaders, donors and allies.
*Granting $650K+ to support Black-led and Black-serving nonprofits that address issues that continue to harm Black communities.
*Developing 200+ BIPOC Alums and 45+ current #ExecutiveDirectorsofColorInstitute cohort members statewide, building the capacity of their organizations.
*Mobilizing $200k in low-interest capital loans to support building purchase, renovation, or expansion/build-out projects through the #BRICLoanFund.
*Successfully advocating for hundreds of historically marginalized-led and serving Colorado nonprofits to directly benefit from $33M approved funding through the state legislature (2022 HB-1356).
*Launching the #BRICLiberationGrant to support select nonprofits whose transformational efforts and projects create systemic changes and have a multi-generational impact for Colorado’s Black communities.
*Establishing the #BRICLegacyFund, a growing fund of dollars raised and invested for BRIC to be a perpetual resource for future generations of Colorado Black communities.
Small or large, success cannot be achieved alone. A large part of BRIC's growing impact is thanks to the incredible support of our community partners, supporters and allies. When the BRIC Fund first started, our immediate goal was to provide relief to Black-led and Black-serving nonprofits who were and are still on the front lines in their communities, facing systemic, historically oppressive policies and practices that restrict opportunities and prosperity. Our efforts thus far illustrate we are on the path to positive change. Despite the fact that racial inequities have existed and been embedded for well over 400 years, we remain hopeful. We rally in our faith in humanity. We rise and continue to press forward, holding steadfast to our resilience. Our collective vision for our communities remains our North Star. We recognize the importance of having a Black community fund that OUR community owns and leads. The BRIC Fund is being built to be that home. We’re moving toward #wealthbuilding. We’re embracing #liberation. We’re #shiftingourpower.
As BRIC continues to work hard to support #ColoradoBlackcommunities, including growing and expanding our programs, we are also working to ensure the BRIC Fund is growing its Board and staff to support its work best. And you continue to help us through your generous contributions. Please consider making a gift this year. Join us as we continue to build Colorado’s Black communities - #BRICbyBRIC.
In gratitude and solidarity,
LaDawn Sullivan, Executive Director
www.bricfund.org
