They may be called “micro-investments,” but they’re anything but small. In this episode, you’ll learn about The Doonie Fund, a social investment fund started by Kathryn in honor of her grandmother Kathryn “Doonie” Hale. The Doonie Fund provides micro-investments to Black women entrepreneurs and has provided grants to over 2,000 women. 

“During the pandemic, I felt helpless.” 

The Doonie Fund began during COVID when Kathryn had an extra $10,000 from a canceled cruise. She decided to donate that money to Black women entrepreneurs who were struggling due to the pandemic. Those initial donations became the Doonie Fund and started a movement.

“It was just such a sweet, simple way to tell women–particularly women of color, particularly Black women–that we see you.”

One of The Doonie Fund's most important aspects was its placing trust in women of color entrepreneurs. The fund trusts women to know what is best for their businesses.

“The Doonie Fund is one of the first resources that I've seen that is truly equitable.” 

The Doonie Fund allowed people to put their money where their values were by supporting underrepresented founders.  

 

Guests

Jamela Peterson: https://socialpreneurlab.org/about-founder/

Robert Finney

Shawn Escoffery: https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/person/shawn-escoffery/

Kim Folsom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimtfolsom/

Ruth Ann Harnisch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthannharnisch/

Barbara Clarke: https://impactseat.org/team-member/barbara-clarke/

Jennifer Van Dam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifervandam/

Michea Rahman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michea-rahman-aa09078a/

 

Get full access to Build the Damn Thing: A Newsletter from Kathryn Finney at kathrynfinney.substack.com/subscribe