Strengthening Delivering Good’s Commitment to Racial Equity and BIPOC Communities

Strengthening Delivering Good’s Commitment to Racial Equity and BIPOC Communities

Strengthening Delivering Good’s Commitment to Racial Equity and BIPOC Communities

Strengthening Delivering Good’s Commitment to Racial Equity and BIPOC Communities

July 22, 2024 |

For this profile on Delivering Good’s Racial Equity Program, we interviewed Hawwa Muhammad, a valued consultant for Delivering Good. With a deep commitment to advancing racial equity and years of experience working with nonprofits, Hawwa has been instrumental in shaping the program's initiatives. Her insights and expertise have helped drive impactful partnerships and long-term support for BIPOC-led organizations across the country. In this interview, she the importance of the Santander grant, and how the program is making a difference in underserved communities.

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Can you explain how the Santander grant supports Delivering Good's Racial Equity Fund? Which community partners are we working with, and what areas is DG covering? 

The Santander grant is instrumental in supporting Delivering Good's Racial Equity Program, which concentrates on improving the operational strength of BIPOC-led organizations. This support is very important given the persistent disparities in funding and resources available to BIPOC-led nonprofits compared to their white-led counterparts. Although BIPOC-led organizations often receive less foundation funding and corporate donations, which are essential for sustainability and growth, our program does not directly provide grant funding but instead prepares these organizations to be more competitive in securing funding and building their internal infrastructure.

By collaborating with two New York-based nonprofits, F.A.I.T.H (Fathers Alive In The Hood) and Jannah's Hands, our program focused on building a stronger foundation from which these organizations can operate more effectively. We began the process by carrying out an organizational audit to understand each organization's strengths and weaknesses and created a plan with each organization to address areas where they could use more support.  With F.A.I.T.H, we enhanced their grant readiness by helping draft applications and developing tools to improve their program evaluations. For Jannah's Hands, we also identified new grant opportunities and created a grant template for future funding opportunities, thereby positioning them for sustainable success.

Through these targeted efforts, the Santander grant indirectly addresses the disparities in funding by equipping BIPOC-led nonprofits with the necessary tools and skills to strengthen their organizations. This approach not only supports the sustainability and effectiveness of these groups but also aims to level the playing field in the nonprofit sector by acknowledging and addressing these systemic inequities.

How does the Santander grant enhance Delivering Good’s efforts to promote racial equity and support BIPOC communities?

The Santander grant plays a crucial role in reinforcing Delivering Good’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), particularly through our Racial Equity Program. Established as a response to the clear disparities faced by BIPOC communities across the United States, the grant supports our work by providing immediate material aid, such as clothing and household goods, alongside long-term support through educational and financial training. This holistic approach not only alleviates immediate needs but also fosters long-term change by supporting BIPOC-led nonprofits. The grant is fundamental in helping us build stronger, more resilient communities through a model of collaboration and targeted support, reflecting our deep commitment to advancing racial equity now and in the future.