Black Equity Initiative Of the Inland EMpire
For Black Communities, By Black Leaders
Press RElease Statement
IECF For Immediate Release
Contacts: Charee Gillins,
951.255.4254 September 2, 2021
Contact: Felicia Jones, C.O.P.E
323.788.5581
IE Black Equity Fund: Call for Proposals Now Open
Black-serving organizations in the Inland Empire are invited to apply; deadline for submissions is September 22
Riverside, CA – Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) is now accepting applications for the first round of grants from the IE Black Equity Fund through September 22, 2021. This funding opportunity provides capacity and core support to Black-led organizations with a goal of creating better outcomes within the local communities they serve.
In partnership with IE Funders Alliance and IECF, the Fund was created by The Black Equity Initiative – Inland Empire (BEI-IE), a coalition of nonprofit leaders whose work is focused on ending systemic racism and building political and economic power for the Black community in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Since its inception, the Fund has received significant support from The California Endowment, The James Irvine Foundation, IECF, and more than 50 corporate and private donors.
“This funding is important because it allows organizations to build a stronger infrastructure that will positively impact the Black community in the Inland Empire,” said Felicia Jones, Co-Founder of BEI-IE and Associate Director of C.O.P.E. “They are working on issues from criminal justice reform and education attainment to affordable housing and economic mobility. Too much is at stake, which is why this funding is critical more than ever.”
The Fund invites nonprofits to apply for one of three tiers of grants — learning, emerging, and scaling up — ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. The application deadline is Wednesday, September 22, 2021.
To view grant guidelines, determine eligibility, and download a grant application, please visit www.iegives.org/funds/black-equity-fund-rfp/. Organizations may submit questions by email to bei@iegives.org.
Using the guiding principles of the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, which recognizes “the inherent power imbalance between foundations and nonprofits,” the Fund worked with regional nonprofit leaders in a planning process to develop a grant program to: 1) give multi-year, unrestricted funding; 2) center IE Black Equity Initiative leaders in decision-making; 3) simplify and streamline paperwork; 4) be transparent and responsive; and 5) offer support by participating in peer learning with IE Black Equity Initiative leaders to improve Black equity in funders’ overall grantmaking practice.
For more information or to donate to the IE Black Equity Fund, visit iegives.org/ieblackequityfund.
About the Inland Empire Community Foundation
Founded in 1941, the Inland Empire Community Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation in Inland Southern California. We partner with individuals, families and corporations to help them achieve their charitable goals. Since inception, we have given out over $100 million in grants and scholarships. For more information visit the IECF’s website at www.iegives.org. Be a part of our conversation on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.