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New Report Highlights Black-Led Grassroots Nonprofits
Discover the challenges faced by lack-led grassroots nonprofits and how philanthropy can better support their mission for racial justice.
The Young, Black & Giving Back Institute has recently released a groundbreaking report that shines a spotlight on grassroots, Black-led, and Black-benefiting nonprofits across the United States. The report, titled “Grassroots, Black & Giving: How Philanthropy Can Better Support Black-led and Black-benefiting Nonprofits,” provides valuable insights into the aspirations, challenges, and fundraising experiences of these organizations while offering key recommendations for advancing racial justice through philanthropic support.
The report’s findings highlight the remarkable work of these nonprofits, despite operating with limited resources. A significant majority of the surveyed organizations (76.7 percent) operate on an annual budget of less than $500,000, with some managing on as little as $30,000 per year. Many of these nonprofits heavily rely on volunteers, as nearly half operate without any paid, full-time or part-time employees.
It’s worth noting that the majority of these organizations are led by their founders, who have extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. The leaders, predominantly women, are committed to addressing the direct needs of Black communities, including poverty, health, education, and workforce development.
However, the report also sheds light on the challenges faced by these nonprofits. They often struggle to access diverse and sustainable funding sources, with difficulties in identifying new funders and the potential risk of shutting down if they lose key funding sources. Additionally, they face the expectation of achieving more with fewer resources compared to white-led organizations.
The report calls on philanthropic institutions to take action by creating funding streams specifically targeted to Black-led nonprofits, prioritizing capacity-building support, and fostering authentic relationships with these organizations. By investing in and trusting the expertise of Black-led and benefiting nonprofits, philanthropy can play a crucial role in advancing social change and supporting thriving Black communities.
The Young, Black & Giving Back Institute’s report offers vital insights into the experiences and needs of grassroots, Black-led, and Black-benefiting nonprofits. It emphasizes the importance of equitable funding and capacity-building support to empower these organizations in their mission to create positive change. By heeding the report’s recommendations, philanthropy can contribute to a more just and inclusive society.
For more information: www.youngblackgivingback.org
