Dear BRIC Family & Friends, The world often suggests that life is a race—that if we don’t keep up with someone else’s highlight reel, we’re falling behind. It’s easy to forget that what we see online may not reflect reality. For the Black Resilience in Colorado Fund (BRIC), true progress is not about comparison but about embracing our unique journey and nurturing the resources we’ve been given this season. Imagine Thanksgiving dinner: a tradition that looks different for every family, yet is deeply meaningful in its diversity. Some rely on recipes passed down through generations; others create new traditions with every gathering. While some may rely on the quick convenience of a microwave, others use the slow, intentional craft of the oven. Both methods require careful attention to ingredients, temperature, and timing. What matters is not how the meal is prepared but the love, care, and intention poured into it. As for BRIC, we see our work as a communal masterpiece, requiring patience, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to the tools and practices that best suit our communities. Like a thoughtfully prepared meal, the success of our efforts lies in how we nurture them, tailoring solutions to address systemic inequities and build resilience among Black-led organizations and communities. The ingredients we use are varied—capacity building, funding, mentorship, and community partnerships—but each one is essential. And just as a great meal takes time, so does dismantling systemic barriers and building equitable opportunities. There is no rushing this work because the Divine is always on time. In this season of gratitude and reflection, we invite you to join us in this journey by embracing the 5Ts—time, talent, treasure, ties, and testimony. Whether offering your time to support Black-led efforts, lending your talents to innovative solutions, contributing treasure to sustain vital initiatives, strengthening ties that build resilient networks, or sharing testimonies that inspire others, every act of giving is a gift to the community and the giver. The true gift lies in giving, as it allows us to build strong, thriving Black communities collectively. Together, through intentional focus and care, we are crafting a legacy of strength, resilience, and shared purpose. Let’s focus on what we’re creating this season — because what we’re building BRIC by BRIC is already a masterpiece. In gratitude & solidarity, LaDawn Sullivan Executive Director Black Resilience In Colorado Fund GET INVOLVED - https://lnkd.in/gdTfkBcM
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The Gobioff Foundation could use some help identifying potential organizations to receive our Juneteenth grants. Each year since 2020, the Gobioff Foundation has chosen 5 organizations to receive unrestricted grants of $20,000 with no obligations or expectation of reporting. As a small family foundation, we are looking to our community to help identify worthy organizations to support as part of this program. To qualify, organizations must be an eligible 501(c)3 as determined by the IRS, have BIPOC leadership, and have a mission to improve Black Lives. Organizations can be located anywhere in the United Sates. This is NOT a popularity contest. Coordinated efforts by organizations to have multiple people submit will not make a difference. We’re not counting votes. We are just trying to discover organizations that we wouldn’t otherwise know about. To see what type of organization we are looking for, please look at the list of previous Juneteenth grantees on our Grantees page. Nominate here: https://lnkd.in/ePtrsM78
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Are you a nonprofit leader struggling to reach your annual funding goals each year? If so, let's connect.
Rukaiyah Adams - A Masterclass in Transformative Impact! I've spent two decades watching leaders talk about change, but today I want to celebrate someone who's actually making it happen. Rukaiyah Adams, through her visionary 1803 Fund, isn't just breaking barriers – she's rewriting the entire playbook for community investment. Here's what makes her work extraordinary: In a landscape where we often hear about initiatives that merely scratch the surface, Adams has orchestrated over $8 million in direct investment into Black Portland's future. This isn't just writing checks – it's architecting generational wealth creation in a community that has historically been denied access to capital. What strikes me most is her embodiment of the principle "lift as you climb." While many successful executives might be content with personal achievement, Adams has chosen to build an elevator rather than just climbing the ladder alone. The 1803 Fund represents more than capital deployment; it's a blueprint for how intentional investment can transform communities. To my fellow business leaders: This is what real impact looks like. It's measurable, scalable, and deeply rooted in community needs. Adams shows us that when we align capital with community vision, we don't just fund projects – we fund possibilities. Rukaiyah Adams truly represents our ancestors' wildest dreams realized. But more importantly, she's busy making dreams possible for the next generation. This is leadership. This is legacy. This is how we create lasting change. #LeadershipInAction #CommunityInvestment #TransformativeImpact #BlackExcellence #WealthCreation #Portland #1803Fund #InvestingInCommunity
Last week, we announced an over $8 million investment in Black Portland 🌱 The money will go to 11 different organizations who make-up 1803 Fund’s inaugural cohort of community partners, For the Future. Take a listen to how 1803 Fund CEO, Rukaiyah Adams, and Communications Manager, Juma Sei are making sense of this moment–a major step toward the Fund’s larger vision: rooted, prosperous Black life in their hometown. To learn more about 1803 Fund’s grant programs, visit our website 🔗
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Why It Matters
Executive Director of TPF, Orsella Hughes dives into the history of Philanthropy in Black America, the importance of community care, and the impact on collective wealth if we invest in the future of Black Philanthropy in Connecticut and beyond. Read the full Op-ed in @CTMirror here: https://heyor.ca/9O32LR
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Why It Matters
Executive Director of TPF, Orsella Hughes dives into the history of Philanthropy in Black America, the importance of community care, and the impact on collective wealth if we invest in the future of Black Philanthropy in Connecticut and beyond. Read the full Op-ed in @CTMirror here: https://heyor.ca/9O32LR
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Gobioff Foundation could use some help identifying potential organizations to receive our Juneteenth grants. Each year since 2020, the Gobioff Foundation has chosen 5 organizations to receive unrestricted grants of $20,000 with no obligations or expectation of reporting. As a small family foundation, we are looking to our community to help identify worthy organizations to support as part of this program. To qualify, organizations must be an eligible 501(c)3 as determined by the IRS, have BIPOC leadership, and have a mission to improve Black Lives. Organizations can be located anywhere in the United Sates. They do not have to be art organizations. Art isn’t a category we are looking for. This is NOT a popularity contest. Coordinated efforts by organizations to have multiple people submit will not make a difference. We’re not counting votes. We are just trying to discover organizations that we wouldn’t otherwise know about. To see what type of organization we are looking for, please look at the list of previous Juneteenth grantees on our Grantees page. Nominate here: https://lnkd.in/eH4g2BeK
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Last week, we announced an over $8 million investment in Black Portland 🌱 The money will go to 11 different organizations who make-up 1803 Fund’s inaugural cohort of community partners, For the Future. Take a listen to how 1803 Fund CEO, Rukaiyah Adams, and Communications Manager, Juma Sei are making sense of this moment–a major step toward the Fund’s larger vision: rooted, prosperous Black life in their hometown. To learn more about 1803 Fund’s grant programs, visit our website 🔗
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President & Financial Solutions Consultant @ UrbanSceneries Consulting| Helping Nonprofits Secure Funding | Financial Strategist for Families & Businesses | Building Generational Wealth & Sustainability
As a Black woman working with nonprofits and small organizations, I’ve seen firsthand how systemic inequities shape fundraising. Black-led nonprofits often do more with less—receiving significantly less funding than their counterparts, despite serving communities with the greatest needs. This isn’t just numbers on a page—it’s the reality of navigating donor biases, limited networks, and unfair accountability standards. Yet, Black-led organizations are uniquely positioned to create transformational change because of their deep connection to the communities they serve. One thing I’ve learned: culturally relevant practices matter. From centering authentic narratives to building coalitions with like-minded organizations, we can shift the narrative. But funders also have a responsibility—to prioritize equity, trust, and unrestricted funding that supports long-term sustainability. As a Black woman, I know how powerful our stories and work are. Fundraising isn’t just about money; it’s about ensuring that the communities closest to the challenges are leading the solutions. To my fellow Black leaders: How are you navigating these challenges? What’s worked for you? Let’s share strategies and continue to empower each other.
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Like many other Black organizations, we find ourselves at a crossroads as philanthropic and donor support slows to levels not seen since well before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Here in Hawaiʻi, where people of African descent make up around 3% of the population, Local Black organizations like ours occupy distinct positions in our communities. Accelerating demographic changes in Hawaiʻi and political developments in the US and around the world place our organizations in an important decision making moment. It will be up to us to decide what steps we take next. Read the brief: https://lnkd.in/gjuJKxc9
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Happy Black Philanthropy Month from Black Girl Environmentalist! Here at BGE we are creating pathways for emerging climate leaders of color to thrive across environmental disciplines through the areas of: community building, green workforce development, and narrative change. If you believe in us and our mission, please feel free to: Donate: https://lnkd.in/eqHfA2Fh. Every dollar counts and goes FAR. We are uniquely positioned to support emerging climate leaders of color because we are too! Follow us: On LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and other social platforms. We’ve cultivated a digital community of 52,000+ and we’d love love have you! Our socials are also the easiest way to keep up to date with what we have going on... which is a lot! We've already hosted over 40+ this year with our 10 HUB cities and fabulous HUB lead community! Bring our name into rooms: As a new organization we are doing our best to get the word out about our programming to BGEs that are looking to find their climate squad AND potential funders that value our mission and purpose. Spreading the word about us helps us get closer to those goals! Send us words of encouragement: Starting a new nonprofit is NOT easy and navigating it without generational wealth is even harder. If you've been in this position before you know that any words of encouragement are so appreciative! So if you have any advice or kind words to send us, please do!
Rhodes Scholar | Founder & Executive Director, Black Girl Environmentalist I Forbes 30 Under 30
Did you know that August is Black Philanthropy Month aka a time to elevate Black giving and support funding equity for Black-led organizations and Black communities? Black Philanthropy Month is an annual month-long, global celebration of African-descent giving, created in August 2011 by Dr. Jackie “Bouvier” Copeland and the Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network. As the founder and Executive Director of a Black youth-led climate nonprofit, it’s important for me to highlight how this month connects to the larger climate movement. Black-led organizations play a critical role in Black communities and across the country yet continue to be under-resourced and underappreciated by philanthropy. As a demographic disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis yet systematically left out of climate leadership, it’s crucial that the next generation of Black climate leaders be well-positioned to lead on climate solutions - and sustainably doing this requires funding. Here are some Black-led climate organizations to follow and support: Black Girl Environmentalist Black In Marine Science, Non-Profit Organization Hip Hop Caucus Young, Gifted & Green™ Black In Environment Girl Plus Environment BlackOak Collective Know of other Black-led climate organizations doing good work? Tag them below 🙌🏾
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Are you at the Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) Conference in Los Angeles, CA this week? Join us tomorrow! Frontline Founder, Marcus Littles, will be in conversation with Phillip Agnew and Angie Junck on "Reframing Evidence: Base-building as a Road to Black Liberation" Tues. May 21, 3:15-4:30PM in the San Fernando Room on the Lobby Level. There’s often a conversation around the lack of metrics and evidence that base building has led to Black liberation and supports Black people to reclaim their power. Organizing is an effective tool and we can be thinking about how to leverage metrics and evidence to serve the community instead of being extractive. In this space, we’ll be interrogating this assumption and discussing why base building should be a philanthropic priority, given the evidence of its success.
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