Without community, there is no liberation. — Audre Lorde
For too long, Black communities have faced chronic underfunding, creating competition for scarce resources and tokenizing organizations instead of fostering true collective power. We recognize that no single organization can uplift community alone. That’s why, in our latest round of funding through Justice Oregon for Black Lives, we leaned into the power of collaboration — asking organizations to join forces, dream bigger and build together.
Now, we’re proud to announce $5.7 million in multiyear grants to 13 collaboratives working to create lasting change for Black Oregonians. Some of these groups have long-standing relationships, while others used this opportunity to deepen their partnerships and reimagine what’s possible when resources are shared, not competed for.
The proposals we received reflect the nuance, complexity and richness of our communities. Black Oregonians are not a monolith, and these grants uplift a range of approaches to systemic change — from education and economic justice to housing and healthcare.
Below, we highlight a handful of these projects, offering a glimpse into the transformative work ahead.
Fostering a Diverse Educator Workforce
Oregon’s education system faces a stark representation gap: while students of color comprise 40% of the statewide student population, only 12% of educators share similar backgrounds. In the Reynold’s School District where HOLLA School is located, the number of students of color jumps to 70%. Studies show that students with at least one teacher of the same race have improved academic performance, better attendance and lower rates of suspension.
HOLLA School is addressing this challenge through a Grow Your Own Teacher Pathways collaborative with the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators, Pacific University and Portland Community College. This initiative provides tuition-free, mentored pathways for BIPOC participants to earn teaching degrees and licenses, breaking down barriers to educator certification and fostering a more representative educator workforce.
Cultivating Food Sovereignty and Economic Justice
Black farmers own less than 1% of the nation’s farmland, while their white counterparts own approximately 95%. In Oregon, one in five Black families experiences hunger, with food insecurity rates nearly triple those of white households. These disparities stem from historical inequities in land access, agricultural support and economic opportunity.
To combat this, the Feed’em Freedom Foundation has joined forces with the Black Food Fund, Black Food Sovereignty Coalition, Black Oregon Land Trust, Black Futures Farm and Mudbone Grown to form the Black Agricultural Ecosystem (BAE). BAE is creating pathways to shared services, agricultural education, community-based land access and healing through culturally connected land practices.
Through this collaborative, these organizations reduce duplicative efforts, strengthen networks and create sustainable solutions for food security and economic justice. Working together shifts the nonprofit paradigm from competitive to cooperative — creating a powerful ecosystem of linked programming that reinforces the impact of the other — ensuring Black agricultural communities in Oregon thrive.
Building Climate Resilience for Black Homeowners
Systemic inequities make it harder for Black homeowners to access energy-efficient upgrades. Studies show they are quoted 8% higher prices for solar installations than white households and have less access to local installers. For low-income families who spend nearly three times as much on energy expenses than the average household, this financial burden means less money for other basic needs.
To address these disparities, the African American Alliance for Homeownership, Taking Ownership PDX and Constructing Hope have launched the Sustainable Black Community Collaborative (SBCC). SBCC not only provides free energy-efficient home upgrades and steeply discounted solar installations for Black homeowners, their job training program also ensures this work is installed by a workforce that reflects the community it serves.
Healing Through Community and Connection
Black communities in Oregon make up just 2.5% of the population and often face cultural isolation, fueling feelings of hopelessness. Historical and present-day inequities compound these challenges, impacting overall health and wellness.
The Black Parent Initiative, in partnership with Black Men’s Wellness and Be the Healing, is addressing this through a statewide healing symposium. Inspired by Dr. Joy DeGruy’s work on Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, the multiday event connects participants to culturally specific healthcare providers, practitioners and community resources.
Collaboration is Fundamental for Long-term Progress
In all these projects, one thing is clear: collaboration is key to building thriving ecosystems by and for Black Oregonians. The collaborative model underscores the importance of shared goals and collective action and will serve as part of Justice Oregon’s grantmaking going forward. By leveraging the expertise and resources of each organization, collaboratives can utilize a more holistic approach to systemic change.
This is just as true in philanthropy. We are committed to deepening our connection with funders and will return to our participatory framework that allows for partnership within the community. By working together, we not only amplify our impact but also create sustainable solutions that foster a more resilient future for Black communities.
Congratulations to each of the Justice Oregon for Black Lives collaborative grantee partners. For more information on these or other Justice Oregon awards, visit our award database.