This event is part of the #GEO2026 Encore Sessions, bringing popular sessions from the 2026 GEO National Conference back virtually.
Black-led nonprofits — organizations with majority Black leadership serving predominantly Black communities — possess unique community knowledge yet face persistent funding barriers. Despite increased attention to racial equity following 2020, Black-led nonprofits were less likely to receive foundation funding or maintain sustained funder support compared with other nonprofits.
Half of Black-led nonprofits received a foundation grant in a given year compared with 70% of other nonprofits between 2016 and 2023, and 42% of small, Black-led nonprofits never secured a grant.
This session shares the latest results from an ongoing, multi-year research collaboration between ABFE and Candid examining foundations’ financial, social and human-centered support for Black-led nonprofits over the past decade. Drawing on historical grants data, interviews with Black-led nonprofit leaders and foundation representatives, and nonprofit surveys, the research explores funding disparities, strategic adaptations in organizational messaging, experiences with race-based language and grantmaking advice, and key barriers to fostering authentic funder-grantee relationships.
Speakers will analyze how nonprofits balance mission authenticity with funder expectations, navigate the burden of code-switching, and perceive funder actions that support or undermine relationship-building. Together, these findings illuminate pathways toward more equitable, transparent partnerships between foundations and community-led organizations working toward sustainable social change.
#GEO2026 Encore Sessions are open to GEO 2026 National Conference participants and GEO members.