Black Philanthropy Month Spotlights Black Generosity

Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s (GCF) Giving Black: Cincinnati report, released last December, documented in detail the history and legacy of black generosity in our region. The philanthropic spirit of black communities has always been a significant force, long before it was recognized as such.

What is changing is the awareness that not only is black giving real, it’s transformational — both in the African American community and beyond. Black Philanthropy Month, celebrated every August since 2011, is another powerful spotlight, reflecting the generosity of African American communities nationwide.

In addition to a racial equity lens throughout our grantmaking processes, GCF amplifies the generosity of black donors in several focused ways:

•  GCF established the African American Fund in 1993 expressly to support impactful projects that help black residents thrive in our region. Since 2000, the fund has granted out more than $14,000 to such organizations as the African American Chamber Education and Resource Foundation, for its Business Velocity Initiative; the Amos Project, to develop grassroots community engagement and support for the Preschool Promise initiative; and Chatfield College, for its Learning to Live program.
• GCF’s first Giving Black Giving Circle is gathering now to explore funding needs and award resources to support services to youth under 17, as well as for “emancipated” teenagers who have aged out of foster care; at-risk black women dealing with such issues as poverty and single parenting; and education and social justice initiatives.
• In partnership with the Cincinnati Development Fund, GCF is investing $1 million toward a targeted $5 million Affordable Housing Impact Investment Pool (AHIIP), which is slated to be rolled out in September. We are determined, through this long-term investment in our communities, to help create a more stable regional housing ecosystem for all of our residents. It’s a key component to advancing racial and economic equity throughout Greater Cincinnati, and affordable housing is a cornerstone to eradicating other factors of poverty such as employment, educational opportunities and health.

We ask you to join us in amplifying the spotlight on and expanding the impact of Giving Black: Cincinnati during this Black Philanthropy Month and throughout the year. For further information on these opportunities for giving, please contact Robert Killins, Jr., GCF’s Director of Special Initiatives, at 513-768-6151 or Robert.Killins@GCFdn.org.