Snell & Wilmer’s Post

Where much of #philanthropy is retrenching from #RacialJustice work in the wake of SCOTUS' ban on #AffirmativeAction, the Black Led Movement Fund (BLMF) is steadfast in resourcing and supporting Black-led movement orgs. The demands and questions raised during protests to the murders of #MichaelBrownJr in 2014, #GeorgeFloyd in 2020, and countless police murders before, in between, and since, remain unaddressed. And in their work, Black organizers continue to face alarming risks—from restrictions on protesting to RICO and domestic terrorism charges for doing so. Philanthropy cannot waver. What can funders do? READ: BLMF Program Director Julia Beatty joined friends from Compton Foundation, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, and Common Defense for a panel at the Funders Committee on Civic Participation to answer this specific question. They offered five takeaways. https://lnkd.in/eKNyTs-C READ: The BLMF and Communities Transforming Policing Fund (CTPF) just launched the learnings from their Movement-Defined Learning (MDL) Project, a participatory learning and evaluation project designed to support community partners in defining their own impact and align philanthropic practices to their wisdom. https://lnkd.in/gyWa-Pgf

The highest regional representation is from the South which aligns with the fact that the majority of Black people in the U.S. live in the Southern states. The organizations represent all 4 regions of the United States (as divided by the Census Bureau). The Midwest is home to the second largest concentration of Black Americans, yet in the survey, nonprofit representation in the Midwest representation was lower. California, on the other hand, was the state with the highest representation. #NonprofitReport #Gratitude #closethegivinggap #Giving #StateofBlackNonprofitsReport

🌟 Honoring Juneteenth at Clever  🌟 Tomorrow, we recognize Juneteenth, a day in 1865 when the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas finally learned of their emancipation more than 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Juneteenth is a day that holds significant meaning in the ongoing fight for Black liberation today. We hope you will spend the day intentionally - whether that be self-education, allyship, or to simply rest and be with loved ones. ➡️ Ways to recognize: We encourage everyone to take actionable steps toward fostering equity. Support Black-owned businesses, donate to organizations that promote racial justice, engage in community service, attend a public celebration, read material on the history of and present day manifestations of systemic racism - particularly for Black communities. #LifeatClever #Juneteenth #DiversityAndInclusion #EquityInEdtech

When I see a post of some company that historically do not have products or a line of makeup for women of color; of whom I have never see a Black sales associate nor employee; however, want to make an impact in one month out of 12, I’m interested in what they do for 12 months not what they say for one month. After listening to the video included in EsteeLauders post, I must point out that all efforts to build up/honor melaninated people is a short lived topic. The term “Inclusion” now overrides the right of just and equal treatment and human rights for those of Diaspora. The inclusion of women, LGBTQ and immigrants still migrating into the US, of which all people deserves equal human rights; that should not even be the question or up for debate. However, the merging of these groups under the same label is a ploy and attempt to futher kick Diaspora’s under the bus by taking precident over Melaninated people and taking focus from the real issue—Reperations. Black Girl Freedom Week is an insult. Until America and the world repent of their false inclusion agenda, matrix and biased mindsets, those of Diaspora will continually be marginalized and forced to the back of the line. #RestitutionMustBeMade #ReperationsMustBePaid #BlackHistoryEveryMonth #EsteeLauder #BlackGirlFreedomWeekisAnInsult #BlackGirlFreedomFund #GrantmakersforGirlsofColor

Monterey County Black Caucus (MCBC), a grantee partner of Irvine's #PriorityCommunities initiative, works to anchor Black leadership and power-building to address structural racism and economic inequities. They also provide healing spaces that allow Black residents to unpack, reflect, learn, and share what the needs are in the community.  How can #philanthropy better support MCBC’s work and the Black community? MCBC’s Rosalyn Green says, “They should continue providing funding, understanding the needs of the communities, and recognizing that one-time funding is not a cure-all. It’s important that funders dive deep into the proposals, listen to stories beyond those proposals, and take the time to come out and connect with the organizations and communities they support to see how funds are being used. Highlighting our work in philanthropic spaces is also important so that other funders can catch the fire and say, ‘We want to be part of that too.’”  Learn more about MCBC at https://irvine.ly/mcbc Photo credit: Monterey County Black Caucus  

At Equal Justice USA we kept seeing the same problem 😣: grassroots community leaders struggling to secure funding 💰💵💲. We couldn't find a good resource, so we built🏗️ one. From scratch. It took so many months and required so much work, but the team persisted because only 7% of philanthropic dollars are targeted toward Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and POC communities. Introducing: Getting Grant Ready, a *FREE* resource customized for emerging grassroots organizations, aspiring grant writers in community-led, violence prevention movements, and midsize organizations seeking diverse funding opportunities. Please share widely! 🎉🎉🎉 https://lnkd.in/e-PwngUg

I want to kick off April and take a moment to recognize Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. More than 5.6 million Americans are living with limb loss and limb difference. 🦾🦿 Ways anyone can recognize LLAM: 1. Advocate for legislative inclusive change 2. Talk to community leaders about inclusive playgrounds 3. Promote ADA standards in the community 4. Support disability-owned businesses 5. Donate to organizations that advocate for those with disabilities 6. Hire people with disabilities 7. Create inclusive spaces for everyone For the limb loss community: 1. Participate in a support group (The one I co-host is the last Tuesday of each month) 2. Participate in “show your mettle day” 3. Challenge assumptions

The racial justice movement is under attack by opponents who want to stop our progress. Instead of retreating, we need to redouble our commitment to bolster the movement to build a California where everyone belongs and thrives. This is why the Asian Pacific Fund is proud to support the California Black Freedom Fund, legal experts, advocates, and philanthropic leaders to launch the LEAD for Racial Justice Initiative. LEAD provides legal education and tools to help nonprofits fully understand their ability to conduct vital racial justice work. Learn more by visiting https://lnkd.in/gM2yS2-X. #RacialJustice #AANHPI #BlackFreedomFund #LEADforRacialJustice

We are still fighting for freedom, regardless of being “given” a day. Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, a significant day in American history marking the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and enslaved people were now free. This was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Recognizing Juneteenth is more than just acknowledging a date; it’s about honoring the struggles and achievements of Black Americans, reflecting on our history, and committing to actions that promote equality and justice. As businesses and individuals, we have the power and responsibility to show up for Black communities. One impactful way to do this is by supporting nonprofits that are dedicated to expanding their reach and helping those who are disenfranchised. Organizations like Fearless Fund, Colorful Connections, and more are on the front lines, working tirelessly to create opportunities and provide resources to those in need. By donating to these nonprofits, we can help amplify their efforts in areas such as education, economic empowerment, health care, and criminal justice reform. Your support can make a real difference in building a more equitable society. Let’s use this Juneteenth to not only celebrate but also to take meaningful action. Together, we can foster a future where freedom and equality are truly realized for all. Colorful Connections: https://lnkd.in/ekrcuvn3 Fearless Fund: https://www.fearless.fund/ #Juneteenth #Equality #SupportBlackCommunities #Nonprofit #Donate #SocialJustice #DiversityAndInclusion #happyjuneteenthiscomplicated #inclusion

"BIG" Announcement from The Foundation for Black Communities (FFBC): "The Foundation for Black Communities (FFBC) was established to ensure every Black person can thrive and all Black communities have agency in defining their own future. Founded in 2020, FFBC is Canada’s first-ever philanthropic foundation dedicated to ensuring that Black-led, Black-serving, and Black-focused organizations have the sustained resources needed to make a meaningful impact." "B.I.G. Black Ideas Grant: Bridge and Build 2023 Introducing the Black Ideas Grant: Bridge and Build 2023—a pivotal investment geared towards propelling solution-oriented initiatives led by Canada's Black communities. This substantial $8.9 million investment is not only B.I.G, but also a strategic initiative, a catalyst for immediate impact, and a reservoir of insights crucial for future transformative programs." "The Black Ideas Grant opens doors to flexible one-year funding, enhancing the capabilities of Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving organizations. B.l.G. represents a commitment to addressing anti-Black racism, fostering social and economic advancements, and ensuring sustained prosperity for Black communities." "Contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions."