The Black Giving Collective

Established in 2023, the Black Giving Collective Fund is an endowment fund created to invest in and unleash the power of Black-led and Black-serving organizations to transform the generational health, wealth and well-being of the Black community.

In 2022, a committee of Akron Community Foundation board members and affiliate fund board members, including Tracy Carter, Theresa Carter, Carla Chapman, Bennett Gaines, Kendra Myers and Dr. Rachel Talton, began meeting to determine next steps for the initiative, which resulted in conducting listening sessions with nearly 150 Black community members to learn what philanthropy means to them.

Based on the key findings from these sessions, the fund was officially established on Aug. 28, 2023, with an initial $50,000 gift from Akron Community Foundation. The foundation also offered a $50,000 matching gift if the fund could raise that amount by March 31, 2024. The fund exceeded its match and, to date, has more than $200,000 in assets.  The inaugural board members have been identified and are currently developing more specific funding priorities and next steps for the fund.

One of the first initiatives the advisory board championed is bringing The Soul of Philanthropy national touring exhibit to the Akron Art Museum in Fall 2025. This coveted national touring exhibit is an inspiring showcase that delves into the rich history and impactful stories of Black philanthropy. In addition to the national exhibit, local philanthropists will be honored and included in the exhibit at the museum.

A nomination process closed in February for The Soul of Philanthropy Akron Awards, a new award series that will honor local philanthropists who have impacted the Black community in Summit County in eight different categories, including Impact Philanthropist, Outstanding Youth Philanthropist, Philanthropist of the Year and more. Recipients will be announced in Summer 2025.

This fund will forever benefit the Black community in Greater Akron.

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