Black-led organizations have historically faced systemic underfunding, but one Canadian philanthropic foundation is working to change that.
Founded in 2020, the Foundation for Black Communities (FFBC) is Canada’s first-ever Black-led, Black-serving philanthropic foundation. Its mission is to ensure that Black-led community organizations have the resources and support needed to make a real impact.
“We believe Black-led, non-profit charities are the backbone of Black communities,” Liban Abokor, co-founder and co-chair of the board of directors of FFBC, told Now Toronto on Monday.
“But the level of underfunding is incredibly dangerous to Black communities. It’s not simply a statistical anomaly but actually a recipe for social and economic crisis,” he continued.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Abokor, along with community members Joseph Smith Jr., Rebecca Darwent, and Djaka Blais-Amare, came together from various sectors to address this issue. Their collaboration led to not only the birth of FFBC but also the first-ever research study, the Unfunded Report, in partnership with the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities and Carleton University.
The report revealed significant disparities in charitable grant-making, with only seven cents out of every $100 distributed by Canada’s philanthropic sector reaching Black communities.
Abokor emphasizes the critical role Black-led organizations play year-round, particularly during the pandemic, providing essential services like food delivery to seniors, educational programs for youth, and housing support.
“Many of them are doing it by simply passion, and volunteerism. While that’s incredible, it’s a critical challenge that’s jeopardizing the sustainability of these organizations,” he added.
THE BLACK IDEAS GRANT
The FFBC has raised over $230 million to support Black communities, granting nearly $15 million to 207 projects since its inception. Their latest initiative, the Black Ideas Grant, distributed nearly $9.1 million to over 107 projects nationwide.
“It’s nothing short of a miracle, which is what the Black community is used to producing for itself,” he said.
WHY SUPPORTS FOR IMMIGRANTS MATTER
Abokor recalls arriving in Canada as a kid with his family in 1989, and moving from home to home to home until in the early 2000s, his mother and father had “finally saved up enough money to purchase a home in Scarborough.” This stability provided him with the opportunity to build a social and economic network, afford university tuition, and cover wedding expenses without accruing debt.
“This isn’t just sanctuary. It’s actually economic stability and social mobilization…finding affordable housing is a critical, critical part of any healthy community development,” he emphasizes, before introducing a project close to his heart.
Inuka, a project that FFBC’s endowment fund is supporting, is constructing an affordable housing unit in the heart of Winnipeg with 72 units suitable for families of various sizes. Not only will it provide housing to the local community, but it will also create job opportunities for members, ranging from plumbers to electricians, once the building is completed.
PRESERVING BLACK ARTS AND MEDIA TALENT
Another project funded by FFBC is Canada’s first Black professional arts and media centre in Toronto’s Little Jamaica neighbourhood called the Nia Centre for the Arts.
“We know that cultural preservation is at the heart of Canada’s culture. We’re so proud that we’re able to support the next generation of creatives, and artistic minds,” he adds.
When discussing the difference government partnerships make in allocating the endowment funds to community organizations, he says “it’s been a dream come true to just watch communities be in the driver’s seat, deciding what they want to see funded based on what they know is needed.”
He says their team is excited about the next round of grants that will be launched this fall to provide an opportunity for those who may not have been successful in this current round.
Additionally, he acknowledges the investments the government has made towards the welfare of the Black community, but stresses the need for continuity, as these are “first steps and not the final step.”
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO
He hopes for an economic statement in the upcoming fall to provide a better opportunity to invest in Black communities, particularly in housing, as there is considerable room for improvement compared to the current budget.
“There’s a stark chasm between available resources and need. So, continual support for the Black non-profit charitable sector is something we need to invest in.”
Despite the challenges, Abokor and the FFBC – are motivated by the impact of their work and the opportunity to support the “superheroes working in our community.”
“We wake up every morning with the incredible privilege to be able to hear about some incredible solutions across our community. Our job is easy, to get the support that they need, and that’s something worth waking up to every single day,” he concludes.
