Illustration of black individuals in geometric pattern

We all want Central New York to be a region where everyone is ensured a chance to meet their fullest potential. This means striving for a community in which neither race nor ethnicity determines opportunity and life outcomes, where all groups have the ability to participate and prosper.

Yet, we know that anti-Black racism is woven into the structures of our schools and workplaces, economic situations, and health and living conditions. The outcomes of systemic racism are not accidental. Decades of public and private policies pertaining to residential development, financial lending and transportation planning have led to 47% of Black children living in poverty versus 11% of White children in Onondaga County.

Nationally, Black people experience poorer health outcomes than White people in 24 out of 29 measures. Contributing to this is the fact that Black people are more likely to live in neighborhoods with less access to healthy food, lower air and water quality, higher levels of housing code violations and less opportunity for physical exercise.

There is tremendous value in involving those most affected by an issue to be a part of its solution. By supporting organizations whose boards and staff leadership are primarily Black, we reverse patterns of historic underinvestment and build the momentum necessary to create lasting social change for the community.

Our Black Equity & Excellence Fund was designed to be a part of this change by funding Black-led community-based projects that promote and encourage self-sufficiency and address physical and economic conditions that affect quality of life. The Fund also encourages dialogue that will strengthen race-related matters and support social and educational growth in the community.

 

Tax-deductible gifts may be made to the Black Equity & Excellence Fund in various ways. You may contribute online with a credit card or checks, made out to Central New York Community Foundation with “Black Equity & Excellence Fund” written in the memo line, may be sent to: Central New York Community Foundation, 431 East Fayette Street, Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13202.

Learn more about other giving opportunities available.

Donate Now

The Black Equity & Excellence 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 race-related matters and support social and educational growth in the community.

2023 Deadline: July 7, 2023

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The Black Equity & Excellence Advisory Council is tasked with reviewing grant proposals and identifying gaps and opportunities to create a more equitable and economically inclusive Central New York for the Black community.

View Council Members

If your nonprofit has received a grant from us, we request that you submit a report on the outcome of your project. This report assists us in assessing our grantmaking efforts. Your specific report due date is outlined in your grant award letter and we encourage you to refer to that for detailed information about reporting requirements. You may access the report form here.

Submit A Report

View a list of grants awarded so far from the Black Equity & Excellence Fund.

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We encourage you to share the news of this grant to raise awareness of the valuable work you are doing in the community. We have prepared some communication guidelines to assist you with these promotions.

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Black Equity & Excellence Stories

Blogs March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

News Releases December 13, 2022

Community Foundation Hosting Best Selling Author Heather McGhee for Virtual Speaking Engagement

Join us for an upcoming virtual speaking event on January 17, 2023, featuring New York ...

Blogs December 7, 2022

Reflections: Bringing Residents to the Table

Qiana Williams, program officer, shows us how participatory budgeting is helping residents form solutions to ...

Angel Winfield and Lance Lyons stand in front of the Rev Theatre Company in Auburn
Publications November 21, 2022

Forging Pathways for the Future: Angela Winfield & Lance Lyons

Giving Voice Fall 2022: Donor Story

Group of teens sitting at a table
Publications November 21, 2022

Adding New Flavor to Grantmaking with Participatory Budgeting

Giving Voice Fall 2022: Granting Matters

Blogs October 29, 2022

Reflections: Creating a Legacy of Equity

Jan Lane, senior philanthropic advisor, explains the ways that leaving a legacy can help you ...

Children standing with paramedic
News Releases September 28, 2022

$240,000 in Grants Awarded to Black-Led Organizations

Seventeen grants from our Black Equity & Excellence Fund totaling $240,000 were distributed to support ...

Blogs March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

News Releases December 13, 2022

Community Foundation Hosting Best Selling Author Heather McGhee for Virtual Speaking Engagement

Join us for an upcoming virtual speaking event on January 17, 2023, featuring New York ...

Blogs December 7, 2022

Reflections: Bringing Residents to the Table

Qiana Williams, program officer, shows us how participatory budgeting is helping residents form solutions to ...

Angel Winfield and Lance Lyons stand in front of the Rev Theatre Company in Auburn
Publications November 21, 2022

Forging Pathways for the Future: Angela Winfield & Lance Lyons

Giving Voice Fall 2022: Donor Story

Group of teens sitting at a table
Publications November 21, 2022

Adding New Flavor to Grantmaking with Participatory Budgeting

Giving Voice Fall 2022: Granting Matters

Blogs October 29, 2022

Reflections: Creating a Legacy of Equity

Jan Lane, senior philanthropic advisor, explains the ways that leaving a legacy can help you ...

Children standing with paramedic
News Releases September 28, 2022

$240,000 in Grants Awarded to Black-Led Organizations

Seventeen grants from our Black Equity & Excellence Fund totaling $240,000 were distributed to support ...

News & Stories