Black Future Co-Op Fund Invests $2M in 20 Black-Led Arts and Education Organizations Nurturing Black Well-Being

SEATTLE — The Black Future Co-op Fund, Washington state’s first Black-led philanthropy, has announced $2 million in grants to 20 Black-led organizations, focusing on arts and education, in its third round of statewide funding. These “We See You” grants represent the commitment the Black Future Co-op Fund has to investing in Black-led nonprofits that play an essential role in advancing self-determination, connecting communities, and promoting civic discourse.  

“Arts and education are foundational to our communities and creating a liberated future, yet are often the least resourced,”

said Twina Nobles, Fund architect and CEO and Washington state senator, 28th district. “With this third round of We See You grants, the Black Future Co-op Fund recognizes Black arts and education leaders who are visionaries, historians, creators and shapers of our culture and communities.”

Unbridled awards

For generations, Black-led organizations have been systematically under-resourced. Only 1.8% of traditional philanthropic dollars go to Black-led organizations.

The Black Future Co-op Fund was founded on the premise that Black communities know best what they need. Each organization will receive $100,000 in unrestricted funds spread over several years, as an acknowledgment of and support for their work. Grants are barrier free, intentionally breaking down obstacles to accessing needed resources. 

“The ‘We See You’ grants illustrate our belief in Black arts and education leaders whose wisdom and brilliance are vital to our thriving,” said Michelle Merriweather, Fund architect and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. “We are investing in arts and education that is by and for Black people—supporting creative arts that facilitate healing, dreaming, and building healthy communities, as well as education that is culturally relevant, inclusive of our stories, and preparatory for the future.”

Fund grant recipients include: 

• Performance organizations like Acts on Stage and Spectrum Dance Theater;
• Youth development nonprofits such as BLK WINS, Brotherhood Initiative at the University of Washington, and Building Youth through Music; and
• History organizations like Tacoma’s Buffalo Soldiers Museum and Blackpast.org.

For the full list of arts and education grantees, visit: blackfuturewa.org/we-see-you-grants.

“Equitable access to the arts and education is imperative to community sustainability and generational growth,” said Angela Jones, Fund architect and director of the Washington State Initiative at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “The Black Future Co-op Fund is committed to expanding equity by empowering Black-led solutions that foster Black wealth, health, and well-being.”

With this latest round of funding, the Black Future Co-op Fund has committed more than $8 million since its launch in June 2020 to further its vision of a Washington state where all Black people are liberated, prosperous, and self-determined to fully live their lives.