ABFE. A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities

ABFE’s November Newsletter is now available! Stay connected with this month’s insights, events, and community highlights. Access the newsletter now: https://lnkd.in/egwhqFky]

Early bird registration for the Harambee 2026 Annual Conference is officially open! Early Bird Savings Close: Friday, January 9th, 2026 Learn more and register now: https://lnkd.in/eMitUrtQ Become an ABFE Member: https://lnkd.in/e_KXPuqx Rooted in the legacy of Bay Area activism, Harambee 2026 will celebrate the cultural and political resistance of Black communities while creating a powerful space to learn, activate, and uplift strategies that move us toward racial equity, justice, and liberation. Now is the perfect time to secure your spot at the largest gathering of Black professionals in organized philanthropy while locking in the lowest rates of the year. Want to save even more and officially join a membership of philanthropic professionals, nonprofit leaders, individual donors, and sector partners committed to the advancement of Black communities? Become an ABFE Member and gain access to exclusive discounts, engagement opportunities, and added benefits that will elevate your Harambee experience. Don’t wait—join the movement, claim your savings, and get ready to Harambee!

Final Call! ABFE invites Black foundation trustees, presidents, and CEOs in California to an exclusive dinner gathering this November. Join us in Oakland or Los Angeles for an evening of shared purpose, connection, and collective vision—because the work continues, and we’re stronger together. Oakland: Tuesday, November 11th | 6 - 9 p.m. PDT - https://lnkd.in/e-RNVC3D Los Angeles: Thursday, November 13th | 6 - 9 p.m. PDT - https://lnkd.in/efejdamt These gatherings are more than dinners; they are acts of preservation and purpose. Together, we’ll honor our shared charge, strengthen our collective leadership, and build the power needed to carry our institutions—and our people—through the challenges ahead.

October may be over, but the updates are still fresh! Our October newsletter is packed with highlights, announcements, and resources you won’t want to miss. Catch up on what’s been happening and stay connected with our latest initiatives: https://lnkd.in/e7giCWGM

Final call- register now! As corporate giving continues to shift and expand, ABFE is creating space for deeper dialogue and connection. This fall, we invite professionals working in corporate philanthropy to join us for a private, in-person retreat presented by ABFE’s Corporate Community of Practice (CCoP) network. Learn more and register now: https://lnkd.in/e8iQmp9U Over two days, participants will gather in a confidential setting designed for reflection, candid peer exchange, and meaningful relationship-building with fellow corporate philanthropic leaders. Together, we’ll step away from the day-to-day to focus on strategy, shared challenges, and the future of our field.

Philanthropy cannot claim to pursue its highest ideals while preemptively retreating from the work those ideals demand. We are grateful for Susan Taylor Batten’s leadership in this work, and for Tynesha McHarris’ quick, sharp defense of race-explicit grantmaking in her latest pieces. Purporting philanthropy’s commitment to race-explicitness as a desire for race-exclusivity is dishonest—and yet it is a common false narrative meant to combat the decades of evidence that shows how addressing equity for one group of people mutually benefits others. There is real progress being made thanks to race-explicit work around our country. While it is reassuring to see philanthropy activate in defense of our peers, part of that defense needs to be loud and visible support for a race-explicit lens. The alternative is a philanthropic sector that talks about equity while perpetuating inequity, a sector that uses lofty rhetoric but fails to deliver meaningful change. What version of philanthropy should we be defending?

ABFE is proud to open nominations for the 2026 James A. Joseph Lecture and Awards—our signature recognition honoring Black leadership and excellence in philanthropy. Each year, we celebrate those whose work exemplifies visionary, responsive, and community-centered philanthropy. We invite you to help us identify the leaders shaping our sector’s future by submitting nominations for the following honors: - 2026 James A. Joseph Lecturer - 2026 Institutional Award for Philanthropic Leadership - 2026 Trailblazer in Philanthropy Award - 2026 Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award Learn more and access the nomination forms: https://lnkd.in/exiy6wAz Applications Close: Friday, December 19th | 5 p.m. EST The James A. Joseph Lecture and Awards honors the enduring legacy of Ambassador James A. Joseph, ABFE Co-Founder and a distinguished leader whose visionary work helped shape the field of philanthropy. This annual event serves as a tribute to his lifelong commitment to justice, equity, and strengthening Black communities through strategic giving and leadership.

Join the upcoming Giving Circle Leadership Summit, hosted by The Community Investment Network (CIN) in Philadelphia, PA on October 24–25, 2025. This transformative gathering places community power and innovation at the heart of philanthropy, bringing together donors, grassroots leaders, and nonprofit organizations to exchange ideas, strategies, and resources. Register Now: https://lnkd.in/gfz-pBTz Through three concurrent tracks—Exploration, Strengthening, and Partnership—the Summit offers something for everyone: newcomers can learn how to join or start giving circles, current members can sharpen their impact through peer learning and best practices, and nonprofit leaders can expand networks and cultivate equitable collaborations with donors committed to community wellbeing.

#ABFEMembersInAction In a time when bold, values-driven philanthropy is needed most, we are thrilled to celebrate ABFE Member The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation as they mark 30 years of impact with announcing a historic $50 million gift to four of Atlanta’s HBCUs—Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, and Spelman College. This 10-year commitment will provide nearly 10,000 students with “gap scholarships” to help close the financial shortfalls that often stand between academic success and graduation. As Foundation President Fay Twersky shared, the gift is “a material investment in hope.” As the largest HBCU-focused donation in the foundation’s history, this initiative continues a strong legacy of support—building upon previous gifts to strengthen academic excellence and opportunity for generations of Black scholars. “This monumental investment will ensure talent and hard work—not financial hardship—shape our students’ futures,” said Morehouse President Dr. F. DuBois Bowman. Leaders praised the impact on student success and economic mobility. Let’s congratulate The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for this visionary commitment to educational equity and for leading with the kind of transformative investment that our communities need in these critical times. Read more at ESSENCE.com Learn more about The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation: https://lnkd.in/dHJtyFD