MASSACHUSETTS – Today, the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund (NCF) — a funding and support resource for Black, Latino and Indigenous entrepreneurs, innovators, and nonprofits — announced the allocation of an additional $3 million to 54 members in its inaugural cohort of non-profit partners.
Amid the backdrop of systemic inequities disproportionately harming Black and Brown communities, NCF will provide critical resources to its non-profit partners that accelerate access to health care resources, advance justice reform campaigns, and bolster youth development and cultural enrichment.
For entrepreneurs and nonprofits alike, the tedious process of demonstrating a need for funding and ensuring a resiliency aligned with a foundation or philanthropic institution’s framework often strains the organization’s resources and operational capacity.
NCF made a decision to reinvest with three distinct rounds in the same fiscal year. A revised grant making strategy will be shared late summer 2022.
“Many of the major corporations and philanthropic institutions are already in full retreat, just two years after pledging their commitment to support Black and Brown organizations. We are at an alarming juncture. Our communities can’t afford to wait for critical dollars, which is why NCF is continuing its grant-making during this fiscal year,” said Myechia Minter-Jordan, co-founder of the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund. “For far too long, the viability of Black and Brown business and non-profit leaders has been based on a prescriptive framework that prioritizes satisfying those who already hold power rather than creating more inclusive and equitable philanthropic practices.”
Launched in 2020 by a coalition of Black and Brown executives from Massachusetts, amid the dueling crises of the Covid-19 pandemic and police brutality, and other racially charged incidents across the country. NCF aims to address the extreme disparities and systemic inequities that Black, Latino and Indigenous communities face in the commonwealth.
“Black and Brown-led organizations encounter disproportionate and unnecessary obstacles that hinder their trajectory of success,” said Dr. Makeeba McCreary, president of the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund. “NCF’s disruptive model of eliminating exploitative gate-keeping practices will allow our non-profit partners to expedite justice reform initiatives, increase economic empowerment within their communities, deliver equitable healthcare, and enrich the lives of the next generation.
Prior to the latest reinvestments ranging from $10,000 – $150,000 to their non-profit partners, NCF had already committed close to $4 million to support its non-profit partners and other initiatives, including a COVID Relief Fund and a $2.5 million investment to support a five-year partnership with Mass General Brigham to advance maternal health equity, support practitioners, and advocate for critical changes to in-patient care and increasing safer outcomes for Massachusetts communities.
The New Commonwealth Fund Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund grant recipients list is available here.
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About The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund:
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund (NCF) is a funding and support resource for Black, Latino, and Indigenous entrepreneurs, innovators, and non-profits. Together we are addressing systemic racism and racial inequality while fostering inclusion, representation, opportunity and prosperity for Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities in Massachusetts. Visit for more information. Follow the conversation on our website, LinkedIn page and on Twitter @NCFMass.
