October, 2023 – The Community Foundation recently distributed grants from its Black Equity & Excellence Fund. Grants from the fund support Black-led nonprofit organizations and projects that counteract systemic racism. Seventeen grants were distributed, totaling $238,200.
Ana Gil photography- $10,000
Launch the NO CAP Media Program (Nurturing Opportunities for Creativity and Production), which will equip young Black minds with skills to succeed in digital media careers
BLAAC (Black Latino Asian Artist Coalition) – $10,000
Launch BLAAC School of the Arts, a youth arts program that will provide local high school students and college freshman with first-hand theatre experience working alongside production professionals
Black Girls Will Get Love- $10,000
Host an educational Hollywood-standard film production process for girls of color ages 13-25
Center of Hope International- $20,000
Launch STEMintheMiddle, an after-school hands-on STEM coding educational program for Black and historically excluded youth between the ages of 13-18
Dunbar Association-$30,000
Expand the Student Coalition on Race and Equity (SCORE) after-school program, which provides equity training for youth
Food Access Healthy Neighborhoods Now- $10,000
Enhance its summer and winter food markets by increasing the number and variety of vendors through advertising and awareness opportunities
Half Hood Half Holistic- $10,000
Expand access to culturally relevant mental health services and create curriculum to train-up mental wellness coaches
Hanks Athletics- $10,000
Help get historically excluded youth that are exposed to gang activity involved in athletics
House of Psalms- $20,000
Implement new supportive programming and transitional housing opportunities for Black women who have either been incarcerated or impacted by domestic violence
LIFENOW/LOVE JONES INTERNATIONAL- $10,000
Host Just Because Premiere Networking and Positioning for the Promise events for Black and historically excluded leaders and professionals in the community
Minority Mindz- $23,000
Support the Strategic Business Development Program, which addresses systemic issues of poverty through free entrepreneurship resources and support
Off the Hook Crochet Club- $3,200
Hold free, monthly crochet events to create a space for Black adults to build community, be creative, and learn more about the Black and historically excluded history of fiber arts
OG’s Against Violence- $30,000
Expand the Violence Interrupter (VI) Training and Employment Program, its youth program and its Community Outreach initiatives
Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment Inc. (RISE)- $15,000
Support afterschool programming for refugee and immigrant youth to engage with tutors from local universities
Southside Coalition Citizens for Justice and Equality- $5,000
Host Family Movie Saturdays to engage youth and their families in conversations about justice and equality
Strategic Resources Management- $5,000
Host the Virtual Financial Empowerment Summit to help people become economically self-sufficient and achieve upward socioeconomic mobility
Tucker Missionary Baptist Church- $17,000
Host the Full Life Festival, which informs, engages, empowers and equips the Black community with awareness and information
The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity that turns community dollars into community change. Established in 1927, it receives contributions from donors, manages them to grow over time and then distributes funding to address the region’s greatest needs. The foundation has invested more than $270 million in community projects that benefit Central New York. It also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives that foster a thriving and equitable region and address the most critical issues of our time.
The Community Foundation’s Black Equity & Excellence Fund was launched in June 2020 in response to the tragedies and ensuing national conversation on race that has brought to light a common truth – that anti-Black racism is still woven into the fabric of the country. The Fund supports community-based projects for the Black community of Central New York that promote and encourage self-sufficiency and improve the physical and economic conditions that affect quality of life. It also encourages dialogue that will strengthen collaborative engagement on race-related matters and support social and educational growth in the community. Learn more at cnycf.org/equity
