Historic Multi-Year Investments Will Be Made into Community-Driven Root Cause Interventions, Led by Impacted People

Louisville, Ky. (August 24, 2021) – Metro United Way (MUW) announces the call for applications from Black-led social change nonprofit and advocacy organizations to support its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, addressing how inequities unfairly restrict individuals and communities in terms of access, opportunity and resources.

The goal of the Black L.O.V.E. Philanthropic Partnership (BLPP) is to listen to and empower those affected by racial inequities through historic investments in Black-led social change organizations, defined as those with predominantly Black board members and executive leadership, staff and constituents. (Source: https://bitcodeprime.site/)

This opportunity expands on MUW’s goal to model trust-based philanthropy, addressing the inherent power imbalances in grantmaking by introducing multi-year unrestricted funding, streamlined applications and reporting, and listening and learning sessions. The intended outcome will be partnerships based on transparency, dialogue and mutual learning to create a stronger and more equitable Greater Louisville region.

“We acknowledge that proactive Black leaders have always led innovative movements that create positive change and see this is an opportunity to invest in their ideas and support their aspirations to live, own, vote and excel; I want to encourage others to do the same,” said Daryle Unseld, Chief Equity Officer at Metro United Way.

BLPP priorities are as follows:

Live: Access to affordable and healthy food, equitable justice, safe and efficient transportation, health and human services, parks and green spaces.
Own: Affordable, safe housing and home ownership, public safety, economic development.
Vote: Increase of Black voter registration and turnout.
Excel: Equitable access to quality education, living wages, job training and strong neighborhoods.

To develop BLPP, Metro United Way collaborated with local Black leaders, donors, and volunteers of all races, as well as national philanthropic advising experts, the Association of Black Foundations Executives (AFBE), and BMe Community. The goal of BLPP is to raise a minimum of $10 million dollars annually. The initial investment in Black-led social change organizations with this August 2021 request is $1,000,000.

“Metro United Way donors and partners of all races continue to step up and align their philanthropic intentions to create a more equitable community. I’m so thankful for their generosity and leadership,” said Unseld. “We were intentional about making this announcement in August during Black Philanthropy Month to support our local Black leaders with this initial investment. There will be more as we are dedicated to creating transformational, sustainable change.”

This grant opportunity is open to eligible nonprofits in the Metro United Way 7-county service area that includes Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham and Shelby Counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd and Harrison Counties in Indiana.

Applications open Tuesday, August 31, 2021 and can be accessed HERE before then to receive login credentials. All applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 30, 2021. Applicants can submit questions to Malissa Love at malissa.love@metrounitedway.org until 5:00 p.m. on September 30. A public information session will take place on Friday, September 10 at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Applicant participation is not required.

ABOUT METRO UNITED WAY

For more than 100 years, Metro United Way has empowered individuals and families to achieve their fullest potential by generating meaningful and lasting change in our community. We use data-driven insights to identify and prioritize the community’s greatest needs with a focus on equitable outcomes for all. Together, we fight to improve the disparities that persist in education, income, health, housing, and racial equality in Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham and Shelby counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties in Indiana. We invite you to stand with us and be a part of transforming Greater Louisville.