Black Empowerment Fund

At CCF, we believe that real change for the Black community takes a real commitment.

We envision a racially equitable community in which the distribution of resources, opportunities, and burdens is not determined or predicted by race. We understand that, to accomplish this vision, we must advance systemic change and community-centered solutions that address root causes of structural racism and disinvestments that have disparately impacted Black communities.

CCF has an established record of investing in the Black community. Through programs like BLOOM, LASIF-YMOC, PAT and Ready to Rise, CCF has created partnerships to build greater community resiliency. This Fund is the next step in our evolution from resiliency support to longterm infrastructure investments in the ecosystem of organizations and institutions seeking to create conditions for the Black community’s upward social mobility and economic prosperity.

With the launch of the Black Empowerment Fund, we reaffirm our commitment towards building a more equitable Los Angeles County by combining our strength of grantmaking, lending, fundraising, stewardship, convening, advocacy, communications and multi-sector partnerships to improve the social and economic plight of the Black community.

Together we can create lasting change. We invite you to join us in this effort.

ABOUT THE BLACK EMPOWERMENT FUND
The California Community Foundation has created the Black Empowerment Fund to support Black-led and Black-empowering organizations throughout Los Angeles. We define Black Empowerment as investing in Black leaders that develop transformational, community-centered solutions for the Black community, and investing in Black infrastructures that create conditions for the Black community to thrive and achieve their full potential for self-actualization and social and economic prosperity. This Fund will seek to advance the cause of Black equity with the following goals:

Goal #1: To invest in strengthening the infrastructure for Black-led and Black-empowering organizations focused on power building and systemic transformations.

Goal #2: To reverse the pattern of underinvestment in Black-led and Black-empowering organizations, so that the Black community can thrive.

Goal #3: To support the ecosystem of organizations and institutions that are engaged in moving forward the agenda for Black equity.

OUR FUNDING PRIORITIES
In addition to CCF’s investments within our four core pillars of health, housing, education and immigration, the following is a list of funding priority areas for this fund:

• Black Community Organizing Groups & Networks
• Policy Advocacy & System Reform
• Economic Development & Economic Empowerment
• Research & Intellectual Advancement
• Communications Narrative & Social Power
• Support Community Contiguity
• Leadership Development & Strategic Convenings

To learn more, please visit our Fact Sheet. For additional information, please contact Jai Phillips at JPhillips [@] calfund [.] org, Sean Doss  at SDoss [@] calfund [.] org, or Brittney Daniel at BDaniel [@] calfund [.] org.

As of July 22, 2021, 20 organizations were each awarded $50K grants, totaling $1 million. Learn more by visiting our announcement page HERE. To see the complete list of CCF’s 2021 Black Empowerment Fund Grantees. CLICK HERE.  Download the press release HERE.

MAKE A DONATION
To make a secure, tax-deductible donation online, click on the button below. You may also send checks payable to the California Community Foundation, noting that the donation is for the Black Empowerment Fund. Checks should be mailed to:

California Community Foundation
717 W Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

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