Purpose in Action: Black Philanthropy Month
This August, we are proud to highlight Black-led foundations that are investing in organizations, movements, and solutions to help communities thrive!
Rooted in a deep tradition of community care and collective action, these leaders are helping to shaping inclusive giving practices and impact. Through grant making, advocacy, and community engagement, their work reflects the power of Black leadership in building lasting change.
Clients highlighted: Borealis Philanthropy, Kataly Foundation, Meyer Foundation
Borealis Philanthropy
Location:
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Consultants:
Starsha Valentine, Ed Holman, Laura Hennighausen
The Work:
Purpose Possible has worked with Borealis Philanthropy since 2022 on a variety of projects focused on strengthening their internal systems as a funding intermediary.
Mission: Borealis works with funders to direct resources to people building powerful, thriving communities. We invest in leaders, organizations, and movements using diverse and leading-edge strategies to pursue transformational change.
Amoretta Morris, President at Borealis Philanthropy
Visionary leader with three decades of experience shaping policies and programs to improve the lives of youth, families and communities. Amoretta has moved between the non-profit sector, government and philanthropy either organizing for social change from the outside or reforming institutions from the inside. A skilled trainer and public speaker, she builds teams through a shared vision, people-centered culture and a data-informed focus on results. She has served on numerous non-profit boards and public commissions. She also has been a featured spokesperson in local and national media outlets including the Washington Post and National Public Radio.
“It’s an honor to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from a variety of people at Borealis Philanthropy over the past several years. I so admire their progressive approach to grassroots ecosystem support, and I hope more funders will follow their lead by investing in those closest to the issues they seek to address.”
“I’ve enjoyed working alongside the Borealis team for the past two years, witnessing their great work and growth as an organization. They continue to step up for organizations across the country during this critical moment in time.”
Kataly Foundation
Location: San Francisco, California
Mission: Kataly’s mission is to support and provide resources to communities and social movements that are exploring new solutions to persistent, systemic problems.
Nwamaka Agbo is the CEO of the Kataly Foundation and Managing Director of the Restorative Economies Fund (REF). In her roles, Nwamaka collaborates with the Kataly team to lead the foundation’s day-to-day operations, while holding the community-centered strategy and vision for the REF.
With a background in community organizing, electoral campaigns, policy and advocacy work on racial, social and environmental justice issues, Nwamaka is deeply committed to supporting projects that build resilient, healthy and self-determined communities rooted in shared prosperity.
Consultants: Starsha Valentine, Ed Holman
The Work: Purpose Possible co-created a training program to support Kataly’s grantee capacity building initiative.
“Kataly is committed to fortifying land based projects for BIPOC-led organizations across the country. From inception through execution, it has been a pleasure to support this commitment while working closely with Kataly staff and grantees.”
Meyer Foundation
Location: Washington, DC
Mission: The Meyer Foundation pursues and invests in solutions that build an equitable Greater Washington community in which economically disadvantaged people thrive.
Janice Thomas, President & CEO at the Meyer Foundation
I am inspired by the Meyer Foundation’s long-term commitment to racial equity, which – as a woman of color in the Greater Washington region – is also a commitment to me. I’m encouraged by efforts to move beyond addressing symptoms of inequity and focusing more intently on root causes that create inequity in our communities.
As the Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer, I am responsible for operationalizing our vision and ensuring collaboration to achieve the Foundation’s goals. I work to establish and cultivate our internal policies and procedures, organizational development, and culture. Additionally, I work alongside the Foundation’s senior leaders to set the strategic direction of the Foundation.
Outside of this role, I am moved by a sense of service to the community –whether through my church, public service organizations to which I belong, or other places I’ve worked.
Consultants: Starsha Valentine, Laura Hennighausen
The Work: The Meyer Foundation is one of Purpose Possible’s newest Strategic Philanthropy clients. Our team will be working with the Foundation to produce training and one-on-one coaching for their grantees.
“Meyer Foundation has been a steadfast partner for community impact organizations across the DMV for nearly a century. We are proud to support their continued work of helping mission-driven leaders thrive.”
