The Black Benefactors is a social investment club comprised of individual members, local businesses and organizations that are dedicated to addressing the societal ills facing the African American community. Also known as a giving circle, member donations are pooled with the donations of other members to significantly contribute to the causes we care about.
The Black Benefactors will provide grants to organizations serving African American children, youth and families in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Our goals are to:
Educate members about the benefits of collective philanthropy
Increase awareness of local needs
Create a legacy of giving among African Americans as an effective vehicle for social impact and change
Enhance the well-being of African American children, youth and families in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area
2010 GRANTEES
We are proud to present our first grantees that received grants totaling $9,000.
African Continuum Theatre Company
Washington, DC
www.africancontinuumtheatre.com/
“African Continuum was very surprised and honored to receive the letter that it would be awarded a $3,500.00 grant from The Black Benefactors Fund, especially since we were one of the initial awardees. It is extremely important that we know African Americans support our work and the services we provide to the Washington, D.C. community. We truly appreciated The Black Benefactors’ financial support and acknowledgement and hope that its members will continue to follow our progress as we expand our reach into the community."
-- JoAnn Williams, Executive Director, African Continuum Theatre Company, Washington, DC
African Continuum Theatre is the only professional (African American) theatre company in Washington, DC. It was created in 1989 as a service organization to assist the various small black community theatres improve the quality and visibility of their work. African Continuum Theatre Company has presented over 34 fully-produced, main-stage plays, seven world premieres, along with numerous public readings of new works by playwrights of color for over a decade.
First Generation College Bound
Prince George’s County, Maryland
For 21 years, First Generation College Bound (FGCB) has helped young people realize a dream that often seemed out of reach - to be the first in their families to get a college education. This unleashing of human potential has produced hundreds of college graduates, millions of dollars in added lifetime earnings and a brighter future for us all. FGCB graduates have attended some of the nation's most prestigious institutions of higher learning, and some have gone on to enter graduate programs, law school and dental school.
Without FGCB, most of these young people would not have known how to navigate the college admission process and, even if accepted, could not have afforded the cost. FGCB stands out among college access programs in helping its participants secure financial aid. It also stands out in continuing to mentor students through that crucial first year of college, and beyond.
Germantown Hardknocks Youth Foundation
Montgomery County, Maryland
www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=hardknocksbasketball
Germantown Hardknocks Basketball Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides youth with alternatives to violence, gangs and drugs through basketball, recreation and positive youth development programs. The program helps to inspire and guide youth in the belief that they can act on their dreams, make a difference in their community and realize their potential, one step at a time. It also places priority on character development, volunteer service and career exploration.
