Baltimore Black-led Solidarity Fund

CLLCTIVLY and our partners recognize that COVID-19 and the necessary public health measures to address it will affect our community in many ways – in the weeks ahead and the months to come.

Along with the life-threatening implications, it will disrupt the normal operations of everyone in our community. Black-led organizations on the frontline are essential to the wellbeing of our community. As these organizations respond, they may become financially vulnerable themselves as they scramble to cover the cost of expanding their services or suspend programs and events that generate revenue.

According to a recent report on the racial wealth divide in Baltimore, 32 percent of Black Baltimore have zero household net worth and 67 percent could not survive more than three months in the absence of income.

As noted in The Case for Funding Black-led Social Change, there has been a long pattern of philanthropic neglect and under-investment in the infrastructure of Black institutions. Black-led organizations are often expected to do more with less. As the weeks go on, the hardship on individuals and families will intensify. Many already on the financial edge may be pushed into crisis. The demand for emergency services, food, rent, utility, and childcare assistance as well as mental health services is anticipated. This is when we will need our organizations the most.

Our community needs your support to ensure these organizations can help us through this time and in the future.

In the spirit of Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) now is the time for all of us to come together to support those in need and to contribute to the vitality and health of our community.