POISE Foundation Announces Human Equity and Justice Fund and Opens Up Grantmaking Program in Celebration of Black Philanthropy Month 2020

BACKGROUND

In mid-June, POISE Foundation’s CEO joined over 60 Black Foundation CEOs representing foundations throughout the country endorsing a set of imperatives requesting action by Philanthropy on Anti-Black Racism outlined in a statement released by the Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE).  This statement includes this powerful opening declaration: “While COVID-19 is novel as a virus, the pestilence of anti-Black racism that dictates its disproportionate impact on Black communities is centuries old. Few things drive this point home more poignantly than the massive protests sparked by the recent killing of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Tony McDade at the hands of the police and white vigilantes. The inability to breathe for Black people stricken with COVID-19 and George Floyd’s last breaths being stolen from him by a white police officer’s knee on his neck are profoundly painful symbols of the intersecting threats to Black life caused by the ubiquitous plague of anti-Black racism.”

In the last several weeks, POISE has been approached by a number of Black-Led Organizations, Activists, and individuals inquiring if the Foundation has a Fund that supports Black social justice and equity efforts in light of current events concerning police violence, social injustice and systemic anti-Black racism.  

ANNOUNCEMENT

In 2018, POISE Foundation created the Human Equity and Justice Fund (HEJF) in the wake of the killing of Antwon Rose in Pittsburgh, PA and the shootings and beatings of numerous other Blacks, including high school children at the hands of the police. The purpose of the Human Equity and Justice (HEJF) is to provide immediate financial support to organizations and movements that are on the frontlines responding to crises that significantly impact the Black community.  In light of the recent killings of Blacks across the country by law enforcement; racial disparities across education, income and employment; and the extreme disproportionate manner in which COVID-19 is affecting African Americans throughout the country, POISE is proactively opening up a grantmaking program today through the HEJF.  Grants will fall into two categories:

Rapid Response Mini-Grants:

These grants will provide immediate financial support up to $2,500 to support Black-led, Black-serving organizations and movements that are on the frontlines responding to a crisis that could not have been anticipated which significantly impacts Allegheny County’s Black community.

Racial Equity Seed Grants:

These grants will provide programming support up to $5,000 for Black-led, Black- serving organizations that are advancing youth leadership development training and opportunities, and community-based intergenerational collaborations and programming within the social justice space.

For more information about the HEJF, including details about how to apply for a grant and eligibility criteria please visit our HEJF website page at:

www.poisefoundation.org/hejf

Mark S. Lewis, President and CEO of POISE Foundation commented: “We are in a moment where our country recognizes the inhumanity that has existed for centuries cannot continue.   We also recognize that moments fade.  We need to ensure that this moment becomes a movement with no end until human equity is achieved. This fund seeks to support both this moment and building capacity for the movement.”

POISE Foundation is actively fundraising for the HEJF and hopes that individuals and organizations from throughout the country who are concerned with promoting equality and social justice will strongly support this initiative by making contributions to the HEJF at:

https://poisefdn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1140

Donors can also contribute on a new crowdfunding platform that POISE is introducing through United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania at: https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/HEJF or by texting HEJF to 71777 on their cell phones.

Most recently, important funding for the HEJF has been provided by the Henry L. Hillman Foundation and McAuley Ministries.  A list of Individuals and Organizations that have recently donated to the HEJF are outlined on POISE’s website at: www.poisefoundation.org/contributions-to-the-fund-hejf.

Most recently, important funding for the HEJF has been provided by the Henry L. Hillman Foundation and McAuley Ministries.  A list of Individuals and Organizations that have recently donated to the HEJF are outlined on POISE’s website at: www.poisefoundation.org/contributions-to-the-fund-hejf

POISE is coordinating its HEJF fundraising campaign in celebration of Black Philanthropy Month 2020 that starts on Saturday, August 1, 2020 and continues throughout the month. Black Philanthropy Month (BPM), observed every August, is a global celebration and concerted campaign to elevate African-descent giving.  More information about BPM is outlined below.

For more information about POISE Foundation or to schedule interviews, please contact:

KARRIS M. JACKSON
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
(412) 281-4867 – Office
(412) 302-5130 – Mobile
kjackson@poisefdn.org

About POISE Foundation: POISE Foundation was founded in 1980 by Bernard H. Jones, Sr., a prominent community and civic leader in Pittsburgh. It is one of the oldest Community Foundations in the United States established and managed by African Americans. POISE Foundation envisions a nation in which all members of the Black community are empowered and self-sufficient. With this vision at the core of the Foundation’s philosophical approach to its work, POISE’s mission is to assist the Black community in achieving self-sustaining practices through strategic leadership, collective giving, grantmaking and advocacy. Created in the format of a Community Foundation, POISE receives funds from a variety of donors. These funds may be unrestricted, and used to support our grantmaking strategy, or donor-directed for specific charitable purposes. For more information, please visit: https://www.poisefoundation.org/

NOTE: When writing about POISE Foundation, please spell out the word POISE in capital letters and do not use the article “The” or “the” before POISE Foundation.

About Black Philanthropy Month (BPM): Since it was established in 2011, BPM has reached roughly 17 million people and become an increasingly year-round, diasporic initiative that illuminates the ingenuity and transformative impact of generosity in Black communities. Primary aims of BPM are informing, involving, inspiring and investing in Black philanthropic leadership to strengthen African-American and African-descent giving in all its forms, for the benefit of our planet, our communities, our organizations and our lives. A new organizing concept frames the BPM campaign each year. The theme for 2020 is: FORESIGHT 20/20.  BPM officially launches August 1st. You can follow happenings throughout August via social media with the hashtag #BPM2020. For the rest of the year, follow #BPM365.