Arcus Foundation Encourages Donations to Grantees on Giving Tuesday
NEW YORK – 27 November, 2012: The Arcus Foundation has been encouraging donors across the United States to contribute to charitable activities on November's national day of giving known as Giving Tuesday.
In advance of Giving Tuesday, the Foundation awarded a raft of small grants, amounting to US$78,275, to 11 organizations strongly allied to its mission of creating a just and humane world that respects the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, and respects and protects the world’s great apes.
One of the grantees, National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), launched a fundraising drive for an initiative aimed at creating the next generation of Black LGBT activists and leaders in the United States.
The NBJC initiative identifies rising stars aged 18-30 in the Black LGBT movement and provides them a platform to develop their leadership abilities, use their voices, build networks, and take action in their communities.
"Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of young people of color in shaping U.S. Policies and in sustaining a vibrant and impactful equality movement," said Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks, NBJC's Executive Director, noting a blog about Giving Tuesday by NBJC emerging leader Je-Shawna Wholley.
A total of 31 organizations, the majority with organizational budgets under $1 million, were considered under the following criteria: fit with Arcus’ strategy; clarity and articulation of concept and implementation plan; opportunity for learning; likelihood of success; necessity of Arcus support; and strength of media profile for Giving Tuesday.
