The California Black Freedom Fund and the California Community Foundation Partner to Distribute $2 Million to Black Powerbuilding Networks in Southern California
Photo credit: Jason Pham
August 27, 2024—Today, the California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF), in partnership with the California Community Foundation (CCF), announced grant awards of $2 million to the California Black Power Network and the Black Equity Collective. These investments are part of CBFF and CCF’s continued commitment to providing resources, capacity-building support, and strategic guidance to Black-led organizations in California.
“These two networks are courageously and unapologetically building up Southern California’s Black communities politically, economically, and culturally – and making statewide impact. We are honored to support their work and grateful CCF is able to join us in funding this effort,” said Marc Philpart, Executive Director of California Black Freedom Fund.
In February of this year, CBFF and CCF announced their groundbreaking partnership and strategic vision to advance racial equity and support Black-led powerbuilding organizations with an initial commitment of $3.5 million from the state of California, championed by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (SD-28) and the California Legislative Black Caucus.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with CBFF as we work together to transform broken systems and create meaningful opportunities across Southern California and beyond,” said Miguel Santana, President and CEO of CCF. “These investments reflect our dedication to equity and power building in our region and our commitment to driving lasting change in our communities.”
The California Black Power Network (CBPN) is a coalition of over 40 grassroots organizations united to improve the lives of Black Californians by dismantling systemic and anti-Black racism. Similarly, the Black Equity Collective (BEC) is a network of Black-led and Black-empowering organizations joined as partners in advancing their long-term sustainability in Southern California. Since 2020, CBFF has made over $13.5 million in combined investments to CBPN and BEC to support and advance their efforts to positively transform opportunities for Black Californians.
“As we work to build Black permanency in California at a time of retrenchment in philanthropic giving for racial justice, having the combined support of the California Black Freedom Fund and California Community Foundation will allow us to pursue that vision more boldly,” said Kaci Patterson, Founder and Chief Architect of the Black Equity Collective.
“This investment is a huge support for us in a critical year of organizing and mobilizing Black Californians to ensure our issues are at the forefront of our state’s political agenda. We look forward to deepening this work with our partners to create systemic change,” said James Woodson, Executive Director of the California Black Power Network.
The California Black Freedom Fund and California Community Foundation are proud to support the critical work of the California Black Power Network and Black Equity Collective, and through their partnership and shared commitment to fostering a more equitable future, look forward to continuing to work together to create lasting change and empower Black communities across California.
About California Black Freedom Fund
Launched in 2021, the California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF) works to ensure that Black power-building and movement-based organizations in California have the sustained investments and support they need to eradicate systemic and institutional racism. For more information, visit cablackfreedomfund.org.
About California Community Foundation
California Community Foundation (CCF) is a nonprofit organization that has served as a public, charitable organization since 1915, empowering donors to pursue their own personal passions and to collaborate with us in addressing the pressing needs of our region. For more information, visit www.calfund.org.