Black Philanthropy Circle Launches in Baltimore, Announces Inaugural Grantmaking Cycle
The Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) is proud to announce the launch of the Black Philanthropy Circle. The Black Philanthropy Circle is a nonprofit 501(c)3 donor-advised fund focused on charitable giving to nonprofits that directly support Black people and communities in the Baltimore metropolitan area. The Circle has begun its first grantmaking cycle and is accepting applications through Feb. 28, 2022.
Founded by a group of more than 30 Black business and civic leaders, the Black Philanthropy Circle was established to cultivate an inclusive philanthropic community, to build the capacity of Baltimore’s Black nonprofits, and to impact Greater Baltimore’s Black community at large.
The Circle builds on a deep tradition of charitable giving in the Black community. According to a report from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, African Americans donate 25% more of their income per year than white Americans.
“Baltimore has a rich history of Black philanthropy by individual men and women. The power of the Black Philanthropy Circle is the pooling of our funds together to support Black-led nonprofits and those that impact the Black community,” said Alicia Wilson, Esq., a founder of the Black Philanthropy Circle and vice president for economic development at the Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Health System.
Most of the founding members contributed $10,000 or more to launch the fund, which distinguishes the group from other giving circles where the typical starting contribution is around $2,500.
“The Black Philanthropy Circle is an undeniable example that Black success and wealth thrive in Baltimore," said Shanaysha Sauls, president and CEO of the Baltimore Community Foundation. "We at BCF are proud to partner with this incredible community of changemakers, who are dedicating their time and collective resources to pave the way for a stronger, more equitable Baltimore."
For its first grantmaking cycle, the Circle plans to award $25,000 grants to nonprofits that are Black-led or based in Black communities in the Greater Baltimore area. Grant decisions will be made by spring 2022.
The Circle will give priority to organizations with the following areas of focus:
- Arts & culture;
- Economic welfare (job placement, workforce training, etc.);
- Education, recreation and youth;
- Community organizing (non-political) and community service;
- Environment;
- Human services;
- Health and wellness
“Supporting organizations with such areas of focus will have a significant impact on the betterment of Black communities in the Baltimore metropolitan area,” said Savonne Ferguson, Esq., a founder of the Black Philanthropy Circle and senior vice president, chief compliance officer (mutual funds) and associate general counsel at Neuberger Berman. “This support is critical to strengthening and moving Baltimore forward.”
More than $550,000 has already been raised in support of the Black Philanthropy Circle’s mission. The Circle plans to use its launch year to continue growing the fund and its membership base.
“The most thrilling part of the Black Philanthropy Circle is the sheer diversity within the group. It is a powerful convergence of an older generation of Black philanthropists with a new generation of Black philanthropists who desire to use their resources, power, and influence to positively impact a community that has given so much to them,” continued Wilson. “A significant segment of the Founding Black Philanthropy Circle are in their late 30s and early 40s and are first generation, in a number of respects. Simply put, the Black Philanthropy Circle represents the greatest ideal of Black Baltimore — that we are better when we give, support, and care for one another.”
For more information about the Black Philanthropy Circle, visit bcf.org/fund/bpcirc/. For nonprofits interested in applying for a grant from the Black Philanthropy Circle, visit bcf.org/black-philanthropy-circle/.
About the Baltimore Community Foundation
For 50 years, the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) has connected people who are passionate about their city and purposeful in their philanthropy. BCF amplifies donors’ philanthropy with strategic grants, impact investments, special initiatives and advocacy to strengthen schools and neighborhoods. Visit www.bcf.org to discover meaningful giving, invest your funds wisely, and join a diverse community working for a better Baltimore.