(ACTIVE) Black Giving Collective

Purpose

The Black Giving Collective (BGC) supports Black-led and Black-owned community initiatives that address disparities facing the Black community in our eight-county region. Our work is guided by findings from the 2024 State of Black Rochester report, and we aim to create lasting systemic change through targeted community investment.

Typical Grant Size

The typical grant size ranges from $5,000 to $15,000. Larger requests will be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

Letters of Intent are invited from organizations wishing to apply for funding.

To be eligible, prospective applicants must:

• Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or 509(a)(1) public organizations or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor
• Applicants must operate in our eight-county region, which comprises Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates counties.
• Seek to serve the Black community by targeting any of the following focus areas:
  • Community Leadership: Cultivate emerging leaders
  • Education Excellence: Enhance academic achievement
  • Economic Mobility: Creates pathways to financial stability
  • Healthcare & Wellness: Advance the wellbeing of Black community members
  • School Success: Provide student and family support
  • Violence Prevention & Safety: Strengthen community safety

Preference will be given to organizations that have Black leadership in the senior executive position, program leadership position, or have at least 51% Black membership on their Board or steering committee.

Funds can support the following grant types:

• Program Support
• Capacity Building/Professional Development
• Technology & Digital Infrastructure – For IT systems, software, and digital transformation
• Community Engagement – For outreach, partnerships, and community-based initiatives
• Other

Application Due Date(s)

The upcoming deadline to submit Letters of Intent is Friday, March 28, 2025, at 5pm. To submit a Letter of Intent, please click here.

Select organizations will be invited to submit a full application after Letters on Intent are reviewed. Full applications are due by Friday, May 2, 2025.

Decisions will be announced in mid-June 2025

Future opportunities will be announced in our quarterly e-newsletter, Grant Opportunities (Click to subscribe.)

Application

Click on our online grant portal to apply.

Contact

Nikia Washington, Program Officer
Community Programs Department
Rochester Area Community Foundation
500 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607-1912
585.341.4376
Grants@racf.org