BPI Announces Impact Grant Recipients During Black History Month
The Black Philanthropy Initiative (BPI) is excited to announce $7,000 in grants awarded through its Impact Grants Program. BPI’s Impact Grants are investments in programs, projects, and initiatives supporting Forsyth County’s Black communities.
 
BPI requested video proposals from organizations and groups with annual budgets under $150,000 working in one of the four critical areas in its Rethinking Philanthropy report (education, jobs and wages, poverty, and civic engagement,) or on criminal justice reform or racial justice efforts. BPI prioritized Black-led organizations and programs working within predominately Black neighborhoods (including 27101, 27105, and 27107).

Grants were awarded to: 
  • Friends of the Malloy Jordan East Winston Heritage Center – $1,000 for a community garden and greenhouse
  • Happy Hill Neighborhood Association – $1,000 to conduct a community survey to reach more youth to participate in a summer arts program
  • Heart of the Future Inc – $1,000 for college scholarships and career readiness packets for high school youth who have parents experiencing incarceration
  • Hope to Thrive – $1,000 to support an employee training and matching program that places program participants in jobs within the local food industry
  • Hustle Winston-Salem – $1,000 for a coffee with coaches program that will provide coaching to local Black entrepreneurs while supporting local Black-owned coffee shops
  • The Quality Truth Organization – $1,000 to provide virtual professional development and skill-building courses
  • Winston-Salem Black Chamber of Commerce – $1,000 to support career exploration programming and field trips for youth

Awarding the Impact Grants during Black History Month is especially gratifying for the volunteer-driven selection committee. Robert Leak III, chair of BPI’s Grants Committee, notes, “BPI is grateful to be able to invest in Black-led organizations and communities of color. These grants provide an opportunity for local groups to invest in their local community and create an impactful story for others to share.”

BPI grants are made possible by the many people in Forsyth County that come together for the opportunity to invest in local Black-led organizations and support the local Black community. In 2020 alone, BPI provided over $100,000 in grants to local programs and initiatives through the pooling of resources, allowing BPI to make a powerful collective impact.
 
Currently, BPI offers two grant programs: Impact Grants and Advancing Equity in Education Grants (a focus area of The Winston-Salem Foundation). To learn more about these grant programs and find ways to contribute to this work, visit bpiws.org.
Celebrating Black History and Black Futures
This month, and every month, we celebrate Black people.

We honor the great pioneers who shaped our paths, lift up and amplify the visionary leaders of today, and commit ourselves to use our time, talent, and treasure to build better Black futures.

If you haven't already, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more stories amplifying Black voices.
Welcome NEW BPI Committee Members
BPI is thrilled to welcome five new members to its Advisory Committee!

Veronica Bitting, Norma Corley, Robert Leak III, Dr. William Lewis, and Bernie Wallace, we are thrilled to have you on board and look forward to the knowledge and experience you will bring to the mission of BPI.
Join our Team: Strategic Initiatives Manager
We're currently requesting applications for a Strategic Initiatives Manager to join the Foundation team. This role will support our Black Philanthropy Initiatives, The Women's Fund of Winston-Salem and Youth Grantmakers in Action.

Review the job description and apply online with a cover letter and resume by 5:00 PM Mon, March 1.
Swag Giveaway
This Black History Month, we wanted to share a present with our amazing BPI community to celebrate our love and appreciation for all you do. So, we're giving away BPI car magnets! Unlike those complicated rules in most online giveaways, all you have to do with this one is provide your mailing address by clicking the link below!

We can't wait to honk and give you a wave when we see you on the road! 😊
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!