Philadelphia Black Giving Circle (PBGC) is now accepting applications for its inaugural round of grants.
Led by a group of local civic and philanthropy professionals such as The Food Trust Director of External Affairs Dwayne Wharton, Friends of the Rail Park ED Kevin Dow and Philanthropy Network Greater PhiladelphiaDirector of Learning and Knowledge Management Theresa Jackson, the collective giving group will distribute pooled funds to Black-led, Black-serving nonprofits in the region.
PBGC was inspired in part by a 2016 report by Philadelphia African American Leadership Forum that reported Black-led nonprofits tend to be smaller, have less access to grantmakers and have fewer cash reserves. Its mission: “to cultivate charitable giving and address the most pressing needs within the Black community.”
As of February, the giving circle’s goals were to gain 100 member-donors, raise a collective $20,000 and fund four nonprofits in its first year. Committee member Wharton said in an email that the giving circle had so far gained 50 members and raised $30,000.
“There’s great need in our city and we’re excited to see so many people looking to contribute collectively to address these needs,” he said. “The more members, and the more funds we raise collectively, the greater the impact we can have on the City of Philadelphia.”
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