By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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In 2020, following the tragic murder of George Floyd and the subsequent national reckoning on racial injustice, the California Black Freedom Fund emerged. This organization, which was the largest pooled fund in the United States dedicated to Black-serving organizations, has now set an ambitious goal. It plans to expand into a $200 million endowment (The Skanner News).

Initially operating under the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the fund officially became an independent entity on July 1. It also rebranded itself as the Black Freedom Fund, signaling its new national focus (The Skanner News). In just five years, the fund has successfully raised over $97 million. Of this amount, $45 million has been distributed as grants to 206 Black-led and Black-serving organizations across California (The Skanner News). The remaining funds have been strategically reserved to help establish the endowment.

An endowment is a financial fund where the principal amount is invested. The income generated from these investments is then used to support an organization's ongoing operations or grant-making activities (The Skanner News). This structure provides long-term financial stability and sustained support for the organization's mission. Marc Philpart, the fund’s executive director and president, explained that the $200 million endowment would enable $10 million in annual grant-making without touching the principal (The Skanner News). This approach ensures enduring support for Black communities and the organizations that serve them.

The Black Freedom Fund's vision is to expand to a $200 million endowment, demonstrating a long-term commitment to supporting Black communities (US News). This contrasts with temporary philanthropic efforts that often diminish once media attention fades (The Skanner News). The fund has already secured over $97 million in donations, with a portion of these funds allocated to initiate the endowment (Start Tribune).

The Black Freedom Fund is dedicated to building lasting infrastructure for Black communities. This commitment goes beyond simply responding to immediate crises. The fund invests in leaders and organizations at the heart of Black communities, promoting solutions that are driven by the people themselves (cablackfreedomfund.org). The ultimate goal is to establish a "Black community foundation," which would serve as a permanent home for Black freedom and contribute to shaping a just future for everyone (cablackfreedomfund.org).

The fund has provided support to organizations working in a wide range of sectors. These include criminal justice, healthcare, arts, culture, and advocacy (The Skanner News). The California Community Foundation's Black Empowerment Fund, for instance, aims to support Black-led and Black-empowering organizations throughout Los Angeles (calfund.org). This initiative defines Black Empowerment as investing in Black leaders who develop transformative, community-centered solutions for the Black community (calfund.org). It also involves investing in Black infrastructures that create conditions for the Black community to thrive (calfund.org).

Black-led organizations are those where Black individuals hold key leadership positions, such as executive director or a majority on the board. This ensures that decision-making reflects the experiences and perspectives of the Black community.

Black-serving organizations have a primary mission and programs dedicated to addressing the needs and advancing the well-being of Black individuals and communities. This is true regardless of the racial composition of their leadership.

"People-led solutions" or "community-led solutions" in racial justice work refer to initiatives and strategies that are conceived, developed, and implemented by members of the affected community themselves. This approach empowers community members to identify their own needs, priorities, and solutions, rather than having external entities impose them. It often involves grassroots organizing, participatory decision-making, and building on the inherent strengths and knowledge within the community (calfund.org). The Black Empowerment Fund, for example, aims to invest in Black leaders who develop transformative, community-centered solutions for the Black community (calfund.org).

The Black Freedom Fund has also initiated programs to address specific needs within Black communities. One such program is the Black LA Relief & Recovery Fund, launched in partnership with the California Community Foundation. This fund supported Black communities in Altadena and Pasadena affected by wildfires (cablackfreedomfund.org). Marc Philpart highlighted that Black communities are often displaced and marginalized during disaster recovery efforts. Therefore, this fund aims to support an equitable recovery for historic Black neighborhoods (cablackfreedomfund.org).

Another significant initiative is the Legal Education, Advocacy, and Defense for Racial Justice Initiative (LEAD™). This program provides pro bono legal consulting and training for nonprofits (The Skanner News). While the specific legal challenges it addresses are not detailed, such initiatives typically focus on issues relevant to racial justice, civil rights, and systemic inequalities affecting Black communities. This could include areas like criminal justice reform, housing discrimination, voting rights, educational equity, and economic justice (Start Tribune). The program operates on the premise that racial justice funding is legal, equipping organizations with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate legal complexities and remain steadfast in their missions.

The Black Freedom Fund is currently navigating challenges related to federal scrutiny of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Marc Philpart's fundraising efforts for the endowment come at a time when the Donald Trump administration has characterized DEI programs as illegal and called for investigations into large foundations that support diversity initiatives (KTBS.com). DEI programs are designed to promote fair treatment and equal opportunity for all individuals, especially those from underrepresented or marginalized groups, within organizations and society. "Diversity" refers to the presence of a wide range of human qualities. "Equity" means fair access, opportunity, and advancement for all, while working to eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. "Inclusion" ensures that all individuals feel a sense of belonging and are valued for their unique contributions.

Despite some major donors, such as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, scaling back their commitments due to these federal efforts, Philpart remains resolute (The Skanner News). He has observed a "critical mass of leaders throughout the country who care very deeply about the community" and have "doubled down on their commitments to support Black freedom and Black power" (The Skanner News). This indicates a strong and growing base of support for racial equity, even amidst political and legal challenges. The fund has drawn over $97 million in donations and has received support from over 45 institutional funders and over a dozen donors (cablackfreedomfund.org).

The Black Freedom Fund's vision is to become a Black community foundation. A community foundation is a public charity that pools charitable gifts from many donors to create a permanent endowment (The Skanner News). This endowment then makes grants to support a wide range of local charitable activities. Community foundations differ from private foundations by being publicly supported, focusing on a specific geographic area or community, and often engaging in broader community leadership, convening, and advocacy beyond just grant-making (calfund.org). The Black Freedom Fund's intent to become a Black community foundation signifies its commitment to serving the Black community specifically, with a national scope, and providing enduring support.

The Black Freedom Fund's transition from a designated fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation to an independent entity with a national scope is a significant step (The Skanner News). While its initial grant-making has largely focused on California, its stated national scope suggests an intention to support Black communities beyond California (cablackfreedomfund.org). The fund is looking ahead to the future of serving Black communities in California and beyond (cablackfreedomfund.org).

Marc Philpart emphasizes the need for enduring institutions that are committed to the Black community, contrasting this with temporary philanthropic support that often recedes after crises (The Skanner News). While the fund's focus on building a $200 million endowment clearly demonstrates a commitment to long-term infrastructure, the specifics of how the fund balances immediate crisis response with its long-term goals of infrastructure building and sustained support are not detailed. The Black Empowerment Fund, for instance, is described as the next step in the California Community Foundation's evolution from resiliency support to long-term infrastructure investments (calfund.org).

The Black Freedom Fund's approach signifies a shift in philanthropic strategy for Black communities. Instead of merely reacting to urgent situations, the fund aims to proactively build a robust and sustainable financial base. This will ensure that Black-led and Black-serving organizations have the consistent resources they need to create lasting change. The fund's commitment to a $200 million endowment is a testament to its dedication to fostering enduring institutions that can withstand the ebb and flow of public attention and funding cycles. This strategic foresight is crucial for empowering Black communities to achieve self-determination and long-term prosperity.

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.