Author: Cindy-Ann Williams

The Black Opportunity Fund is pleased to announce that free online resources are now available for Canadian Black-led, Black-serving, and Black-focused nonprofits and charities nationwide. The resources have been developed with trusted experts from and in partnership with The Black Canadian Fundraisers’ Collective (BCFC), Imagine Canada, and the Management Advisory Service (MAS) to help B3 nonprofits and charities build sustainable and adaptable organizations.

These online resources offer practical guidance and support in key strategic areas like non-profit management, organizational development, fundraising, financial management, grant development, and marketing and communications and more. Specifically curated to cover relevant topics, they are designed to help organizations build and maintain healthy, adaptable, and community-responsive operations.

The B3 Capacity Building Program is an 8-month national initiative that received over 423 applications, highlighting the incredible work being done by B3 organizations across the country. Funded by the Black Opportunity Fund and delivered by the Black Canadian Fundraisers’ Collective (BCFC), the program is designed to support Black-focused, Black-led, and Black-serving nonprofits and charities. It provides funding and capacity development resources to empower these organizations to collaborate, lead, and deliver community-driven solutions that effectively address identified priorities and needs. While we wish we could support every applicant, we are proud to offer these online resources to the entire B3 community.

We invite you to read from our applicants and partners on the impact of these resources and the thoughtful process behind their creation. Swipe right to learn more.

Follow the link https://lnkd.in/g29B5KnE to get access to these online resources for your B3 non-profit and charity.

This pilot initiative is made possible through funding commitments from the TD Ready Commitment and the RBC Foundation.

Additional regional program funding has been secured from philanthropic partners – United Way Halton & Hamilton, and The Toronto Foundation – to prioritize the participation of fifteen B3 organizations selected specifically from three communities (Halifax Regional Municipality and East Hants; the Greater Toronto Area; and Windsor-Essex County) in the pilot.

The Black Opportunity Fund is proud to share our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. These statements provide a transparent and comprehensive overview of our financial position, operations, and cash flows and are available for viewing. We invite stakeholders and supporters to review these documents to learn more about how we are advancing our mission and achieving sustainability in our initiatives.

The Black Opportunity Fund 2024 Annual Report has been prepared to present and account for our fiscal responsibilities, operating activities, and achievements, to community, stakeholders, and funders for the fiscal year ended March 31st, 2024. The report is available for viewing. We invite stakeholders and supporters to review the report to learn more about how we are advancing our mission and achieving sustainability in our initiatives.

We’re excited to share highlights with you of the impactful work BOF achieved in 2023-2024, working to improve socio-economic outcomes for Black communities across Canada. Discover how we’ve been making a difference, empowering communities, and driving positive change. Watch now to see the impact of our work and join us in our mission to improve opportunities for Black Canadians.

Highlights include:

• Over $3.7 million allocated to support Black entrepreneurs and Black led, serving, and focused not-for-profits and charities (B3s) across Canada.
• $1 million used as collateral for loans for Black entrepreneurs declined loans by traditional banks.
• 1,448 Black businesses benefited from BOF supported capacity building programs
• $1,090,000 in grants given to Black community organizations leading impactful initiatives in Education, Health, Criminal Justice and Arts & Culture.
• $220,000 donated to Sick Kids Hospital to fund 2 important initiatives to improve outcomes for children being treated for Sickle Cell Disease.
• 244 Black entrepreneurs received non-repayable funding and subsidies to acquire permits, certifications and licenses, while enrolled in BOF supported capacity building programs.
• Launched a grant & capacity building program for Black led community organizations  in partnership with Black Canadian Fundraisers Collective.
• Led national convenings to support policy initiatives around improving outcomes for Black people in Canada in the critical areas of Health, and Justice.
• Set up the structure to launch two $50 million investment funds – one aimed at creating home ownership opportunities for Black Canadians, and the other to invest in Black led businesses.

#BlackOpportunityFund #AnnualReport #WeBackBlack #Empowerment #Community

On September 4th, 2024, the Black Opportunity Fund in partnership with The Albany Club presents a compelling panel discussion as part of our Capitalism, Diversity & Inclusion Series: Black on Bay. This session will focus on “Celebrating Success and Overcoming Challenges,” featuring influential Black leaders from Bay Street who will share insights into their professional journeys.

Despite notable strides in diversity and inclusion initiatives, Black representation in executive roles remains scarce, and many Black professionals still experience cultural isolation and subtle forms of racism in their careers. The event presents an opportunity to hear from a passionate group of Black Bay Street leaders as they share their career journeys, the obstacles they’ve overcome, and the ongoing challenges that remain in the financial services sector.

Panelists Include:

• Konata T. Lake, Partner, Torys
• Kurankye Sekyi-Otu, Founder & CEO, Capoeira Partners
• Stanley Julien, Head, Special Accounts Management Unit – Canada, BMO
• Lori-Ann Beausoleil, CEO, Board Diversity Network, Retired PricewaterhouseCoopers Partner

The session is moderated by Colin Lynch, Managing Director & Head of Alternative Investments, TD Asset Management.

The panel discussion is followed by a networking reception and lunch. We thank CIBC for sponsoring the event.

For registration RSVP: reservations@albanyclub.ca or 416-364-5471 

Event Details:

Date: September 4th, 2024
Time: Reception at 11:45 am, Lunch at 12:15 pm
Price: Members: $49 | Guests: $69 (plus taxes and house charge)

We look forward to seeing you!

#BlackOnBay #BlackLeaders #Event #BlackOpportunityFund

Black Opportunity Fund is announcing a new funding opportunity to support Black-owned and Black-led restaurants with a company that shares our mission.

Black Opportunity Fund needs your help! We’re seeking Volunteer Selection Committee members to review and adjudicate applications for the program. Committee members will review submitted applications and make funding recommendations based on specific criteria and an established assessment process.

To express interest in volunteering as an adjudicator, please complete the Program Adjudication Nomination Form. You will be required to upload your resume and we would like it to indicate:

• Why you’re interested in volunteering for this position
• Experience working in the restaurant and/or foodservice industry
• Language(s) spoken
• The region of Canada in which you currently reside
• Previous experience reviewing or adjudicating grant applications

Program Adjudication Nomination Form Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NQJ59FB

Black Opportunity Fund encourages applications from every region across Canada. If you have any questions about becoming a volunteer adjudicator for this program, please send us an email at BOFVolunteers@blackopportunityfund.org. We look forward to hearing from all of you! #BOF #WeBackBlack