ABFE

ABFE A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities

October may be over, but the updates are still fresh! Our October newsletter is packed with highlights, announcements, a...
11/03/2025

October may be over, but the updates are still fresh!

Our October newsletter is packed with highlights, announcements, and resources you won’t want to miss.

Catch up on what’s been happening and stay connected with our latest initiatives: https://lnkd.in/e7giCWGM

ABFE is proud to open nominations for the 2026 James A. Joseph Lecture and Awards—our signature recognition honoring Bla...
10/23/2025

ABFE is proud to open nominations for the 2026 James A. Joseph Lecture and Awards—our signature recognition honoring Black leadership and excellence in philanthropy. 👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏽

Each year, we celebrate those whose work exemplifies visionary, responsive, and community-centered philanthropy. We invite you to help us identify the leaders shaping our sector’s future by submitting nominations for the following honors:
- 2026 James A. Joseph Lecturer
- 2026 Institutional Award for Philanthropic Leadership
- 2026 Trailblazer in Philanthropy Award
- 2026 Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award

Learn more and access the nomination forms by clicking the link 🔗 in our bio or visit: https://lnkd.in/exiy6wAz
Applications Close: Friday, December 19th | 5 p.m. EST

The James A. Joseph Lecture and Awards honors the enduring legacy of Ambassador James A. Joseph, ABFE Co-Founder and a distinguished leader whose visionary work helped shape the field of philanthropy. This annual event serves as a tribute to his lifelong commitment to justice, equity, and strengthening Black communities through strategic giving and leadership.

Join the upcoming Giving Circle Leadership Summit, hosted by The Community Investment Network () in Philadelphia, PA on ...
10/20/2025

Join the upcoming Giving Circle Leadership Summit, hosted by The Community Investment Network () in Philadelphia, PA on October 24–25, 2025. This transformative gathering places community power and innovation at the heart of philanthropy, bringing together donors, grassroots leaders, and nonprofit organizations to exchange ideas, strategies, and resources.

Register Now: https://www.thecommunityinvestment.org/event-details/giving-circle-leadership-summit

Through three concurrent tracks—Exploration, Strengthening, and Partnership—the Summit offers something for everyone: newcomers can learn how to join or start giving circles, current members can sharpen their impact through peer learning and best practices, and nonprofit leaders can expand networks and cultivate equitable collaborations with donors committed to community wellbeing.

In a time when bold, values-driven philanthropy is needed most, we are thrilled to celebrate ABFE Member The Arthur M....
10/17/2025

In a time when bold, values-driven philanthropy is needed most, we are thrilled to celebrate ABFE Member The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation as they mark 30 years of impact with announcing a historic $50 million gift to four of Atlanta’s HBCUs—Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, and Spelman College. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

This 10-year commitment will provide nearly 10,000 students with “gap scholarships” to help close the financial shortfalls that often stand between academic success and graduation. As Foundation President Fay Twersky shared, the gift is “a material investment in hope.”

As the largest HBCU-focused donation in the foundation’s history, this initiative continues a strong legacy of support—building upon previous gifts to strengthen academic excellence and opportunity for generations of Black scholars.

“This monumental investment will ensure talent and hard work—not financial hardship—shape our students’ futures,” said Morehouse President Dr. F. DuBois Bowman. Leaders praised the impact on student success and economic mobility.

Let’s congratulate The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for this visionary commitment to educational equity and for leading with the kind of transformative investment that our communities need in these critical times.

Read more at ESSENCE.com
Learn more about The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation: https://blankfoundation.org/

We are officially accepting session proposals for the Harambee 2026 Annual Conference! 👏🏽Join the largest gathering of B...
10/16/2025

We are officially accepting session proposals for the Harambee 2026 Annual Conference! 👏🏽

Join the largest gathering of Black professionals in organized philanthropy—where ideas spark action and community leads the way. Whether you represent grassroots movements, philanthropic institutions, or public-private collaborations, we welcome proposals that center community voice, innovation, and collaboration.

Applications Close: Friday, December 5th | 5 p.m. EST
Learn More & Apply Now by clicking the link 🔗 in our bio or visit: abfe.org/harambee-conference

We invite our network of members, partners, and changemakers to submit proposals and ideas that demonstrate philanthropic and community-based solutions and strategies in alignment with our Responsive Philanthropy in Black Communities (RPBC) tenets including:
- Civic Engagement & Political Power,
- Community Organizing & People Power,
- Policy, Advocacy & System Reform,
- Economic Development & Economic Power,
- Research & Intellectual Power,
- Communications/Narrative Change, and
- Leadership Development & Strategic Convenings.

Last week, ABFE and its Umoja Circle Network hosted the inaugural Black Foundation CEO Retreat—a powerful and intentiona...
10/15/2025

Last week, ABFE and its Umoja Circle Network hosted the inaugural Black Foundation CEO Retreat—a powerful and intentional convening rooted in reflection, strategy, and renewal.

From courageous conversations about leading in uncertain times to moments of joy, rest, and release, the retreat created space for both collective restoration and individual rejuvenation.

In a spirit of collaboration and shared purpose, the CEOs also worked together to define strategic priorities that will guide their collective efforts moving forward.

We are deeply grateful to each of you who brought openness, wisdom, and insight to this gathering. Your presence helped shape a truly transformative experience.

—-

ABFE’s Umoja Circle Network is a national network of Black foundation CEOs committed to addressing the social and economic inequities impacting Black communities. As we move from retreat to action, let’s continue tending to what we planted together— holding one another accountable, inspired, and rooted in our collective strength. If you are a Black Foundation CEO and interested in joining the Umoja Circle, please contact [email protected].

As part of the Grantmakers for Southern Progress Convening ABFE’s Black Communities Funders Network (BCFN) will host a p...
10/09/2025

As part of the Grantmakers for Southern Progress Convening ABFE’s Black Communities Funders Network (BCFN) will host a private Black Funders Salon on Wednesday, October 15th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. CST. This exclusive gathering will bring together Black philanthropic leaders, trustees, program officers, and funders across the South for an evening of connection, reflection, and collective visioning.

Register and learn more: https://www.abfe.org/events/black-funders-salon-little-rock-arkansas

This is more than a dinner—it’s a space for building trust, strengthening regional networks, and planting the seeds for collaborative strategies that advance and resource Black communities across the South. Together, we’ll explore how our funds and leadership can align to create the strong, interwoven ecosystems our communities deserve.

ABFE’s Black Communities Funders Network has released a statement, “Investing in Black-Led Funds to Advance Equity and J...
10/07/2025

ABFE’s Black Communities Funders Network has released a statement, “Investing in Black-Led Funds to Advance Equity and Justice,” underscoring the urgent need for the philanthropic sector to take bold, consistent, and sustained action to support Black-led funds and Black communities in the face of ongoing political and philanthropic retrenchment. The Black Communities Funders Network is a national network of Black fund leaders at community foundations, intermediary organizations, and collaborative funds designed to support Black communities and Black-led organizations.

This is about repair, justice, and fortifying our collective future. ABFE’s Black Communities Funders Network stands ready to support philanthropy in advancing this vision, and invites funders across the sector to join us in this critical work.

Read the full statement: https://lnkd.in/eMuzGFr3

To learn more and get involved with ABFE’s Networks & Partnerships, please contact [email protected].

Tomorrow is the final day to apply for the 2025–2026 Gladys K. Washington Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program (CLFP)—W...
10/07/2025

Tomorrow is the final day to apply for the 2025–2026 Gladys K. Washington Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program (CLFP)—Wednesday, October 8th at 11:59 p.m. EST.

For two decades, CLFP has been shaping the future of philanthropy by nurturing Black leaders who are redefining what equity and transformation look like. If you’re ready to grow, lead, and build lasting impact, this is your moment to join that legacy.

In celebration of CLFP’s 20th Anniversary, we also invite you to give back. A gift of $20 in honor of 20 years helps ensure the next generation of fellows continues to rise, thrive, and lead with purpose.

Apply now and invest in the future of the fellowship by visiting abfe.org

Together, we carry forward Gladys K. Washington’s vision—building a stronger, more just philanthropic community for all.

⏰ it’s another and the deadline to apply for the Gladys K Washington Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program is approach...
10/03/2025

⏰ it’s another and the deadline to apply for the Gladys K Washington Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program is approaching fast—next Wednesday, October 8th! As our fellows like Nomzana Augustin remind us, CLFP isn’t just about leadership development; it’s about building a network that always answers the call. Apply today and become part of a community that grows with you, for you, and through you.

Apply now: https://lnkd.in/eV_tu-cB
Invest in the future of the fellowship - any and every donation helps: https://lnkd.in/enYhFJJP

Join us in celebrating ABFE Member Aline Odara, CEO and Founder of , Brazil’s first philanthropic fund dedicated to Bl...
10/02/2025

Join us in celebrating ABFE Member Aline Odara, CEO and Founder of , Brazil’s first philanthropic fund dedicated to Black women, who has been honored by the UN’s Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) as one of the 50 Most Impactful Global Leaders in Philanthropy and Social Impact.

Learn more about their impactful work: https://fundoagbara.org.br/en/

Fundo Agbara’s mission is to promote access to economic rights by empowering the largest number of Black women’s initiatives, enabling financial and emotional independence. They promote income generation, productive inclusion, socio-emotional emancipation, and community development and seek to provide technical training, financial support, and mentoring for the personal and professional growth of these women.

Please join us in congratulating the Agbara Fund on their incredible impact and leadership. In just five years, they have reached more than 20,000 people and are paving the way for greater equity and opportunity in Brazil and beyond.

Join ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities on Wednesday, October 22nd from 1:00 to 2:30 PM EST for a t...
10/01/2025

Join ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities on Wednesday, October 22nd from 1:00 to 2:30 PM EST for a timely and values-centered funder briefing, “What It Really Means to Invest in Black Women: A Conversation on Wellness, Leadership, and Philanthropic Practice.”

Learn more and register now: https://lnkd.in/efy-MaBx

Moderated by Shenell Thompson, Senior Program Officer of Local Impact at the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, this conversation will feature insights from:
- Tiffany Tate, CEO and Founder, Career Maven Consulting
-Toya Randall, Founder of Voice. Vision. Value. Black Women Leading Philanthropy, and
-Tiffany Friesen, VP of Programs and Partnerships of Philanthropy Southeast

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Thursday 9am - 5pm
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