The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven: Advancing Black Philanthropy

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven is deeply committed to strengthening and celebrating Black philanthropy through three targeted initiatives that uplift Black leadership, culture and community power in the Greater New Haven region.

The Vineyard Project in New Haven

Overview:
Launched by The Foundation in July 2022 as a current-use fund and permanently endowed in 2024, The Vineyard Project in New Haven is dedicated to amplifying the rich Black history, culture, excellence, and joy within the Greater New Haven community. Inspired by Martha’s Vineyard — a historic gathering place for African American families — the initiative seeks to cultivate a local platform for expressing Black philanthropy in its many forms.

The Vineyard Project invites donors to establish personally named funds through The Foundation, enabling them to direct charitable giving toward causes they care deeply about. The Project also leads signature initiatives, including immersive learning experiences for students, collaborations with cultural institutions to highlight affirming narratives of local Black history, and partnerships with community groups dedicated to dismantling harmful stereotypes of Black inferiority.

By celebrating and elevating Black history and culture, the Vineyard Project seeks to shift narratives, expand donor leadership and create philanthropic pathways that center Black voices, legacy and joy. Ultimately, the Fund works to shift power, resources and perceptions — so that Black communities in Greater New Haven are recognized not merely as recipients of philanthropy, but as its creators, leaders and stewards.

Black Futures Fund

Overview:
Established in 2020 by The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors, the Black Futures Fund advances racial equity in Greater New Haven by addressing systemic structures that perpetuate racial disparities. The Fund supports Black-led and Black-serving organizations, fosters Black leadership and grassroots advocacy, and uplifts emerging voices and innovative ideas.

Focused explicitly on racial equity, the Black Futures Fund strengthens the capacity of organizations rooted in and serving the Black community, fostering collaboration and sustainable impact across the region.

Celebrating Black Philanthropy

Overview:
Black Philanthropy Month, an annual global observance each August, was initiated in 2001 and formally launched in 2011 to honor and celebrate the generosity, giving and community leadership of people across the African diaspora.

Since 2021, The Community Foundation has partnered with other Connecticut community foundations to host webinars, panel discussions and events throughout the month, recognizing the long-standing traditions of time, talent and treasure that define Black philanthropy.

In 2025, The Foundation co-hosted a virtual event and in-person watch party on August 19 under the theme “Sankofa Now! Remember. Reclaim. Rise.” The program emphasized that philanthropy within Black communities extends beyond financial giving — it embodies expertise, vision and deep community care.

Through these observances, The Community Foundation amplifies the stories of Black donors, highlights the work of Black-led nonprofits, and honors the enduring traditions of collective giving and mutual support that have long defined African American history.

Summary

Together, The Vineyard Project in New Haven, the Black Futures Fund and Black Philanthropy Month exemplify The Community Foundation’s strategic commitment to opportunity, racial equity and community-led philanthropy.

We understand that meaningful change requires more than funding — it demands reimagining who gives, who leads, which stories are told, and how resources are shared. By centering Black culture, history, leadership and legacy, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven is positioning philanthropy as a transformative force for systemic change in our region.