{"id":51301,"date":"2024-01-31T15:14:41","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T20:14:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.canadahelps.org\/?p=51301"},"modified":"2024-11-04T10:26:28","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T15:26:28","slug":"supporting-black-led-nonprofits-for-a-more-equitable-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.canadahelps.org\/en\/giving-life\/connecting-with-charities\/supporting-black-led-nonprofits-for-a-more-equitable-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting Black-Led Nonprofits for a More Equitable Future"},"content":{"rendered":"

Black-led nonprofits here in Canada are often grassroots organizations advocating for racial and social justice that fuel meaningful change in Black communities, and this benefits society as a whole. CanadaHelps\u2019 aims to amplify the voices of Black-led charities<\/a>, connecting you with causes that align with your values.<\/p>\n

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In the landscape of Canadian philanthropy, however, a troubling imbalance has been made clear. Recent <\/span>landmark studies<\/span><\/a> show that Black-led and Black-focused nonprofits face significant underfunding compared to their white-led counterparts. This critical giving gap transcends financial disparities. It highlights systemic inequities right here in our country that need our collective attention and action.<\/span><\/p>\n

UNDERSTANDING THE FUNDING GAP\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

In Canada, Black-led nonprofits are navigating a challenging terrain of financial limitations. In 2021, the groundbreaking ‘<\/span>Unfunded Report<\/span><\/a>‘ from the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities and Carleton University<\/span> shone a revealing light on the systemic underfunding of Black-led and Black-serving charities by Canadian foundations, highlighting a profound gap in Canada\u2019s philanthropic sector.<\/span><\/p>\n

This dilemma is underscored by some stark statistics from the study, including the fact that less than 0.1% of all philanthropic funding in Canada is allocated to Black-led charitable organizations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For every $100 donated to Canadian charities, only about seven cents go to Black charities. Coupled with the fact that 63% of Black-led groups are at risk of depleting their funds within only six months, it\u2019s easy to see how this critical underfunding poses a serious threat to the essential services and agencies that serve Black communities.<\/p>\n

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Image: Some intrepid pioneers who made Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island their home beginning in 1858. Images courtesy of City of Victoria Archives, Royal BC Museum and Archives, and Salt Spring Island Archives.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Established in February 1994, the Black-led nonprofit BC Black History Awareness Society<\/a> (BCBHAS) has a mission includes raising awareness about the history of Black people in B.C., fostering interest in the current-day contributions of citizens of African ancestry in Canada, and recognizing their achievements in the arts, education, government, sports, science, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We spoke with Paul Schachter, Treasurer of the <\/span>BCBHAS, and he <\/span>shared his thoughts on the significant funding gap for Black-led charities. \u201cI can tell you that the biggest problem we have as a Black-led and Black-focused charity is the paucity of support for core funding,\u201d he said. \u201cEven the recently started funding programs provide insufficient dollars to allow organizations such as ours to build capacity and sustain the level of activities to overcome past inequities in funding and support.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA few thousand dollars\u2014even tens of thousands\u2014does not enable us to retain staff or build infrastructure to continue needed anti-racism and education work,\u201d Schachter explained. \u201cThis type of work isn\u2019t well supported by private donations and needs consistent commitment by institutional and governmental funding.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Schachter explained that while BCBHAS receives some government funding via program grants, those subsidies cover just a small percentage of what they need. \u201cWhile we\u2019re grateful for some of the programmatic funding that have been recently available, the grants are time and project-limited. They don\u2019t address the need for long-term capacity improvements.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

WHY IT MATTERS & HOW YOU CAN HELP<\/b><\/h3>\n

Black-led, Black-serving, and Black-focused non-profit, charitable, and grassroots missions <\/span>serve as lifelines for many Black Canadian individuals and communities. These hard-working nonprofits play a central role in everything from education and mental health to housing and the preservation of Black history and culture. Yet they face barriers, including increased scrutiny, limited research, and restricted access to essential resources necessary for them to thrive.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Located on 315 acres within the African Nova Scotian community in and around Dartmouth, <\/span>Akoma<\/span><\/a>, is a nonprofit with a mission to create economic and social opportunities for the community. Akoma provides affordable housing and economic prospects for this vulnerable and underserved community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Their current plans and offerings include mixed-income homes, affordable units, commercial spaces, a seniors\u2019 complex, a children’s care facility, a long-term seniors care facility, and even their own cemetery and funeral home. Akoma\u2019s Executive Director, Joanna Pugh, shared some of the challenges her program faces with funding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe financial landscape is hard to navigate if you\u2019re new to the organization and don\u2019t know possible funding sources,\u201d Pugh explained. \u201cThe capacity of Black nonprofits in Canada to apply for funding is often a challenge, as we\u2019re often small organizations with limited staff. It takes a considerable amount of time to apply for grants. Some of the applications are extremely detailed.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Individuals and companies should increase their support of Black-led nonprofits, not just during Black History Month but throughout the year. \u201cThis population has been underserved and disadvantaged for over 400 years. We need more exposure,\u201d said Pugh.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether through learning, donating, or sharing important causes on social media, your involvement has the power to help. Any action, no matter how small, will make a difference.<\/span><\/p>\n