Celebrating Black Philanthropy
Every August, BPI observes Black Philanthropy Month . Founded by Jackie Bouvier Copeland in 2011, Black Philanthropy Month highlights the many forms of giving among African-descent communities. It provides a time to be more intentional than ever to reflect on the incredible fortitude and generosity of the black community throughout history.

BPI also celebrates Black Philanthropy Month to inform members of the community on ways to get involved in its work. There are many ways to support BPI, including signing up to receive our e-news, following us on social media, joining us at various events we host each year, and providing financial support for our work. You can also read our report and seek ways to continue learning about institutional racism and its ongoing impact on our community.

This August, BPI will be celebrating Black Philanthropy month in the following ways:

  • WE INVITE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY to upload a short video or submit a short statement describing "What the word philanthropy means to you and/or what does it mean to have a Black Philanthropy Initiative here in our community?" You can visit www.wsfoundation.org/bpi-phil-survey to submit your video or statement. Throughout the month of August, we will be sharing your submissions via our social media. So make sure to follow BPI on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!

  • WE WILL ANNOUNCE our second round of 2020 Impact Grant recipients the week of August 24th! We are pleased to announce these grants during Black Philanthropy Month as we shine a light on the many forms of giving that are a part of the black community and culture. There's still time to apply! The deadline is August 6.

  • VIRTUAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL DISCUSSIONS - BPI has partnered with Action4Equity, Love out Loud and Hoops4Lyfe to present a five-part virtual discussion series. See "Parent Power" section below for more details.
Forsyth Parent Power: Virtual Back-to-School Discussions
With the changing education system, many parents don't know where to start with adopting their new roles in educational support. BPI has partnered with Action4Equity , Love out Loud and Hoops4Lyfe to present a five-part virtual discussion series. The series kicked off on Thursday, July 30 with an open discussion and Q&A with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Angela Pringle-Hairston.

The series will continue every Thurday in August from 7:30-8:30 pm via Facebook Live! Remaining sesions include:

  • SESSION 2 - Plan C: Now What? Round Table Discussion with Black Educators

  • SESSION 3 - Plan C: Now What? Becoming Educators: Nurturing Parent Socially & Emotionally

  • SESSION 4 - Making it Virtually Possible: Homeschooling: From Basics to Mastery

  • SESSION 5 - Policy & An Equitable Return: Round Table Discussion on Policy & the Whole Child

We hope you decide to join the conversations. To register for any of the remaining sessions, visit www.forsythparentpower.com.

There's Still Time to Submit an Impact Grant Video Application
BPI is still accepting video applications for its Impact Grants Program . Impact Grants are investments in local programs, projects, and initiatives that support issues impacting the black community in Forsyth County. In particular, BPI is looking to invest in black-led organizations/groups with annual budgets of less than $150,000 . While Impact Grants are typically investments of up to $1,000, grants up to $5,000 will be available during this grant cycle due to the negative impact of COVID-19 on our community.

In this grant cycle BPI is looking to make investments in work focused on the four key areas in its Rethinking Philanthropy report ( education, jobs and wages, poverty, and civic engagement ) as well as criminal justice reform or racial justice efforts . BPI is requesting video applications (instead of written applications) to help minimize the time it takes for organizations to apply. 

For more information or to apply, please visit www.wsfoundation.org/bpi and scroll down to the grants section. You may also contact Shamika Starke, Manager of Strategic Initiatives at sstarke@wsfoundation.org .

The application deadline is midnight, Thursday, August 6.

SAVE THE DATE for BPI's Eleventh Annual Fundraiser
Each fall, BPI hosts its annual fundraiser to celebrate its mission to encourage our community to use their time, talent and treasure to impact meaningful change and address identified needs in Forsyth County's black community. This year, we invite you to join us virtually on the evening of Thursday, October 15. Make sure to save the date !

At this year's fundraiser, we will feature a few of our 2020 grantees as well as host a dialogue around equity in education. There will even be a surprise or two. You wont want to miss it!

We hope you can join us and support BPI’s efforts to engage our community so collectively, our philanthropic efforts and shared action can create an equitable and inclusive Forsyth County.
Want to have your giving leveraged and be a part of an initiative led entirely by black people focused on making an impact on the local black community? Donate to BPI today!