In an open letter to the philanthropic sector, 11 major foundations and philanthropic leaders called for an increase in funding to be distributed to Black feminist organizations and movements around the world, with a targeted goal of $100 million in support of the Black Feminist Fund.

The letter was signed by the leaders of Solidaire Network; Melinda Gates’s Pivotal Ventures; the Ford, Clara Lionel, Libra, Farbman Family, Satterberg, and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur foundations; the Foundation for a Just Society; the Meadow Fund; and the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund. Each organization has funded the Black Feminist Fund and other groups working to end racial inequity, gender inequity, and other forms of systemic violence. To date, $35 million has been raised for the fund.

According to the Black Feminist Fund, in 2018, less than 0.5 percent of the nearly $70 billion in foundation giving globally went to Black feminist social movements. The letter asserts that funding Black feminist organizations is not only the right thing to do but is essential to eradicating the most significant systemic challenges facing democracies around the world. 

“This is our collective moment to confront—and transform—philanthropy’s long and troubled history of failing to trust and fund the leadership of Black women and gender-expansive people,” the letter reads. “It’s a moral call to support Black feminist movements because they deserve our solidarity. And it’s a practical challenge to open our eyes to the fact that no meaningful change across the many global issues we care about—from democracy to health to climate and education—can be secured without investing in Black feminist leadership.” 

“The Black Feminist Fund is raising $100 million to move resources to Black feminist movements because we know that our movements deserve this level of support and so much more. This letter is an invitation, not a single transaction,” said Tynesha McHarris, co-founder and co-executive director of the Black Feminist Fund. “The days of resourcing Black women, trans, and gender-expansive leaders with pennies are over, and we’re inviting our colleagues to join us in making that reality available to Black feminists around the globe.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Vessnaadjic)