OVERVIEW: The Black Girl Freedom Fund supports racial justice and issues that affect women and girls across the United States.
IP TAKE: This is an accessible, supportive and transparent funder with an easily navigable website. Its open calls for submission make contact from potential grantseekers relatively painless, and its active social media presence makes it approachable for those looking to keep abreast of its activities. Expect competition, though, in this space, but don’t hesitate to reach out to this approachable funder with any questions.
PROFILE: Established in 2020, the Black Girl Freedom Fund (BGFF) is a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and an initiative of Grantmakers for Girls of Color. The co-founders of BGFF are Black women, Femmes activists, educators, artists, philanthropists and organizers. BGFF, under the moniker #1Billion4BlackGirls, has a goal of “mobilizing $1 billion in investments in support of Black girls and young women over the next decade.” The organization engages in work that advances the wellbeing of Black girls, which involves grantmaking for legal advocacy, capacity-building, narrative work, asset mapping and community organizing. BGFF’s giving focuses on racial justice and various issues that affect women and girls across America. Specific issue areas of interest include leadership, safety and wellness for youth.
Grants for Racial Justice, Women and Girls
Black Girl Freedom Fund grantmaking exclusively supports foundations that address the needs of Black women and girls across the U.S. To be considered for funding, potential grantees must be led by Black women or girls, “Black femmes, and/or gender-expansive Black folks” and serve this group also. Funded projects should focus on “leadership development, including political education, community organizing,” and should teach “Black girls to exercise the power of their voice.” Grantees are chosen by BGFF’s Grantmaking Council, most recently composed of six Black girls and gender-expansive youth, ages 14 to 22.
Past grantees include The F.I.N.D. Design, Get Smart B4 U Get Sexy, Healing the Black Body, Pretty Brown Girl, and 3D Girls Inc. View its 2021 Impact Report for further information about its first round of grantees, and look here for a breakdown of its most recent.
Important Grant Details:
In 2020 the Black Girl Freedom Fund made its first round of grants to seven organizations, and its second round in 2022 to 68 organizations. Grant amounts range from $50,000 to $100,000. The fund announces open calls for applications from Black women- and femme-led organizations. Although dates are subject to change, the application period typically runs from the middle of September to the end of October.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
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