Network Updates

During the month of August, we honor Black Philanthropy Month. As we reflect on Black Philanthropy Month, we honor a long and storied tradition of Black giving from mutual aid societies and church-led networks to modern foundation grantmaking led by Black staff, trustees and high net worth donors. As Black community approaches to giving evolve broadly, some donors are beginning to deepen their analysis of how to create impact through both tax deductible and non-tax-deductible

July is National Black Family Month! National Black Family Month emphasizes the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and celebrate the strength, heritage, and unity of Black families. BFN supports Black people and excellence in philanthropy. We provide the space, strategy, and alignment necessary to strengthen Black communities and Black-led organizations. This month, BFN is mapping documented regional strategies that support Black family systems, enabling grantmakers to

Narrative change is one of the most powerful levers for creating actual change. Having a voice as a community and documenting the distinct voices of our multifaceted community can translate to personal and community agency. Black media have been essential components of documenting, raising, and amplifying the voices of Black communities in the US and beyond. Newspapers, radio stations, digital publications, and magazines are part of the core community infrastructure that puts

Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE) Annual Harambee Conference Session Title Highlighted Speaker(s) BFN Member Organization Black Caregivers are Overworked and Underpaid: How Philanthropy Can Build Economic Power and Justice in the Care Economy Brianna Rogers San Francisco Foundation East Oakland is Rising! How a $100M Investment is Catalyzing Change Fred Blackwell (Moderator) San Francisco Foundation Exploring Leadership in These Times – Author-Leaders with

The Black Funders Network of the Bay Area conducted a landscape analysis to develop a foundational understanding of the grantmakers impacting public health in Black communities. Utilizing Candid’s Foundation Directory as a resource, we looked at impact across the Bay Area (9 counties), the Sacramento Region (6 counties), and the Central Valley (8 counties). This information is designed to provide a baseline for current and future actions to support public health investments i

As we continue to grow and strengthen Black philanthropy, we honor the past by equipping ourselves with the tools, knowledge, and connections that will sustain our leadership for the future. What resources would you like to add to this list? Email your ideas to us at info@blackfundersnetwork.org. Grantmakers Impacting Public Health in Black Communities: Compiled by Black Funders Network of the Bay Area Cultural Humility Versus Cultural Competence: A Critical Distinction in D

We invite you to join us for a conversation highlighting lessons learned and strategies to improve health outcomes for Black Communities. Click here to register. The annual Pearls of Wisdom program uplifts the lived experiences of Black women and encourages intergenerational discussion on timely topics affecting the philanthropic sector, fostering community learning, professional development, strategy sharing, and connection. The Pearls of Wisdom Program is a signature event

Join the Black Funders Network of the Bay Area for an action-oriented conversation about how Bay Area grantmakers are directly supporting Black arts and culture ecosystems and as part of broader strategies. This space allows grantmakers to analyze funding models and gain the peer-driven insights necessary to refine their 2026 investment approaches. Lunch from a local Black-owned business will be provided. Program Goals: Celebrate and map explicit connections between Black a

In honor of Black History Month, Commonwealth Club World Affairs invites you to a special evening celebrating Black excellence, civic leadership, and the innovations shaping stronger, more liberated communities. Moderator Chantel Walker, managing director of the Black Funders Network of the Bay Area and Vice Mayor of San Anselmo, whose work bridges civic leadership with philanthropic systems change, will lead an engaging conversation on contemporary Black leadership across pu

What are Black Bay Area residents saying about their realities and pathways to prosperity right now? The 2026 State of the Black Bay Area Survey conducted by EVITARUS, a Black-led public opinion research firm, last month illuminates the agency and resilience of Black Bay Area residents in the midst of uncertain headwinds. If your grantmaking portfolio touches economic advancement, education, or workforce development, this data offers a community-defined perspective on opportu

We can’t talk about Black History without talking about Black Futures and where we’re going. We value the work of Black innovators using technology, entrepreneurship, and creativity to solve problems and build power in their communities. Bay Area-based organizations like the Hidden Genius Project, /dev /color, and Black Girls CODE are demonstrating the impact of expanding access to technology training, mentorship, and opportunities, especially for Black youth and young adult

The Black Funders Network is proud to introduce a new visual identity that reflects our evolution as an organization. We’ve refined our look to mirror the amplified power of our collective voice with additional hands, incorporating green to symbolize our deep roots in community and the vital resourcing that serves as a unifying force.

Do you or your organization have an opportunity to share with members? We encourage you to leverage BFN’s private LinkedIn group for members by sharing with the community directly! BFN is a space for members to connect and share opportunities with one another. Ideas: Share upcoming initiatives or opportunities for funders that your organization or colleagues are offering Suggest an interesting book or article that would be helpful for other Black grantmakers Share upcoming

The Black Funders Network of the Bay Area (BFN) continues to deepen its role as an intentional and dynamic space for Black leaders in philanthropy to connect, grow, and lead with purpose. Rooted in legacy and propelled by a shared commitment to community impact, BFN brings together members and partners who are shaping the field through collective learning, strategic collaboration, and an unwavering focus on effectiveness and equity. This work is sustained by the relationships

Friday, November 14th, 2025, was a night to remember– the Black Funders Network of the Bay Area (BFN) came together to celebrate the organization’s 5th Anniversary. We are grateful for the opportunity to come together and celebrate BFN’s impact and community. Click to Expand A copy of the 5th Anniversary Digital Program is linked, which includes the event program, information about what we’re celebrating, our strategic future, what we’ve learned from members, the featured co

The Black Funders Network of the Bay Area is incredibly excited to announce the hosts for our 5th Anniversary Celebration : Angela Glover Blackwell (Founder in Residence at PolicyLink) and Fred Blackwell (Chief Executive Officer of The San Francisco Foundation). Fred and Angela are giants in community development, social equity, resident-led community change, and public-sector systems change, as well as in grantmaking at the national and local levels. In addition, Angela and

OAKLAND, CA – September 26, 2025 – The Black Funders Network of the Bay Area (BFN) will host its 5th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Kissel Hotel in Uptown Oakland. This event is a testament to our collective journey, honoring our history and inspiring our future. As the preeminent space in the Bay Area for Black philanthropic professionals, BFN has spent the last five years creating a community where members can connect, grow, and align their eff

BFN members have collectively funded over $45 million into these sectors: Over $18.2 million across 475 Arts & Culture grants Over $26.8 million across 413 Community & Economic Development grants Arts & Culture Top Funder (by dollar amount): William & Flora Hewlett Foundation Top Funder (by number of grants awarded): East Bay Community Foundation Community & Economic Development Top Funder (by dollar amount): San Francisco Foundation Top Funder (by number of grants awarded):

The Black Funders Network of the Bay Area (BFN) is pleased to announce Chantel Walker as its new Managing Director, effective March 2025 . This strategic leadership transition marks a milestone for BFN as it continues to advance its mission of fostering community in the philanthropic sector for Black professionals while aligning funders to support Black communities in the Bay Area. Chantel Walker brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished career spanning philanthropy,