BPI Announces First Building an Inclusive Economy Grant Recipients in Record Breaking Year
The Black Philanthropy Initiative (BPI) is pleased to announce ten grants totaling $140,000 were awarded through its inaugural Building an Inclusive Economy grants program.

The fall 2021 grant cycle focused on building economic empowerment for Black households in Forsyth County by addressing one or more of the following areas BPI sees as critical to building economic security and prosperity: creating accessible pathways to family-sustaining and high-paying careers, offering tools for wealth-building and financial stability, and supporting a thriving community of Black-owned businesses.


BPI’s grants are made possible thanks to the collective pooling of resources from Forsyth County community members. In 2021 BPI has provided $220,000 in grants to local programs and initiatives, investing over 93% of those funds into Black-led organizations supporting the local Black community.  

BPI’s incoming board chair Corlis Sellers notes, “We are so grateful for the support of the Winston-Salem community that has made it possible for us to award the greatest amount of funding in a single year in BPI’s history! We look forward to continuing our work together to build a stronger and more prosperous community."

Currently, BPI offers three grant programs: Impact Grants, Advancing Equity in Education Grants, and Building an Inclusive Economy Grants. Applications for its Impact Grants program will open on January 7, 2022. To learn more about these grant programs and find ways to contribute to this work, visit bpiws.org.
All Hands on Deck: Growing & Strengthening our Growing Black Philanthropy Movement
Thank you to all who joined BPI for our 12th annual fundraiser in October! This year, BPI supporters, sponsors, and partners gathered with a common purpose: to celebrate and strengthen our growing Black philanthropy movement.

Attendees learned how they could become more engaged with BPI as volunteers, committee members, white allies, and so much more. It was such an engaging event, and we are so grateful to those who could join us and share your insights, questions, and perspectives. 

BPI also revealed our new video during the event! We hope you will take time to watch the video and hear from our featured grantees, Neighborhood’s Hands, and Sherman Academy, as they discuss what BPI grants are making possible within their organizations. Special thanks to Dancing Grass Studios for bringing BPI’s work and mission to life in the video!

BPI remains confident in the power of joining together and building a better, more equitable future for Black people, families, and communities. We are grateful to be alongside you on this journey to strengthen Forsyth County, now and forever.

We look forward to engaging with you in 2022 and wish you a healthy and peaceful holiday season!
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!