Grants of 5K to 25K now available to Pittsburgh Black-led organizations
by Rob Taylor Jr.
Courier Staff Writer
In a ball of confusion about federal Paycheck Protection programs and CARES acts, the local POISE Foundation made it 100 percent clear about whom they’re looking to support with their money: Black Led Organizations.
On April 21, the foundation announced the creation of a new fund to provide support to small and mid-sized BLOs who’ve been critically affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Dubbed the “Critical Community Needs Fund,” it will provide grants between $5,000 and $25,000 to Black organizations in the Pittsburgh region.
“As we have seen across the nation, the coronavirus has had a devastating impact on communities of color, and in particular the Black community,” Mark S. Lewis, president and CEO of POISE, said in a statement provided to the New Pittsburgh Courier. “We have also seen that many of our small- to mid-sized Black Led Organizations and businesses have been left out or left behind from accessing many of the government relief programs. These are often the very organizations that are nimble, cost-effective and have deep and intimate relationships with the people they serve. It is our hope that this fund will assist many of these organizations to continue their care for our community.”
The website to apply for funding is:
poisefoundation.org/ccnf. Eligibility criteria includes having a current 501-c3 or a fiscal sponsor with that designation, or be a church, mosque or other faith-based organization; the organization must be ed by someone African American; and the organization must primarily serve Black residents of Allegheny and/or Beaver counties.
Priority focus areas for organizations should be critical life-sustaining community needs; mental, emotional and social health; information dissemination; urban gardening efforts in Black communities; Black business associations and community development corporations supporting Black businesses; and digital divide efforts for families and seniors.
The POISE Foundation said the first Distribution Committee meeting would be held on Friday, May 8. Meetings will be held each Friday thereafter until the funds run out.
The Heinz Endowments and the Richard King Mellon Foundation both have made contributions to the Critical Community Needs Fund.
“The data is clear: COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on our African American community. And those numbers are inflicting a painful human toll,” said Richard King Mellon Foundation Director Sam Reiman in a statement. “We are grateful for the opportunity to help organizations such as the POISE Foundation work to address the health and economic impacts of this virus.”
Traci Johnson, program officer at the POISE Foundation, said in a statement: “Black Led Organizations and churches have historically served as anchors and hubs to meet critical needs within the Black community…these organizations are on the front lines, day after day, to ensure that members of the Black community who are experiencing the most disparities are being supported. We have to work to ensure that Black Led Organizations and churches are able to continue providing critical services and resources to the Black community during this pandemic and after.”
Pictured is Mark S. Lewis, president and CEO of POISE
About Post Author
