Network Updates

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

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

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,