BFCF ListeningReport2024 r201 - Flipbook - Page 13
LISTENING TOUR REPORT 2023 - 2024
BLACK FUTURE CO-OP FUND
Barriers and Challenges
“The community is here and we want to do the
work, there just needs to be more safe, common
spaces to collaborate.”
—Velynn Brown, Vancouver
Black Washingtonians experience systemic barriers to their well-being.
We heard about how the impacts of centuries of racism and racist practices
continue to impede opportunity.
•
Racism. Across Washington, listening tour participants discussed
challenges with racist systems and the legacy of redlining that have
perpetuated disparities in education, employment, homeownership,
and health care. Some raised concerns about the disproportionate
incarceration of Black people and its impact on families and
communities, as well as on opportunities to build generational wealth.
•
Philanthropic redlining. Black-led organizations continue to receive
fewer philanthropic dollars than their white peers. The 2020 funding
boom left some organizations in the lurch, as funding was a one-time
investment. To build capacity and respond to community priorities,
organizations need 昀氀exible funding over longer periods of time.
•
Less resources outside of the Puget Sound. We heard how funders
often focus on Seattle’s Black communities to the exclusion of other
communities. Many Black nonpro昀椀t executives are leading important
education, job training, mentorship, supportive services, and diversity,
equity, inclusion (DEI) work in their region, but don’t have the resources or
capacity to meet the needs.
•
Backlash. Post-2020 backlash to DEI efforts has cut off some potential
funding sources. Donors are seeing racially speci昀椀c programming as
risky due to landmark losses like in the Freedom Fund case — and now
Black-led organizations are being passed over again.
•
Safety. In regions with fewer Black people, safety concerns were raised
about harassment and not having secure places to gather together.
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