Although this year’s Black History Month is coming to a close, that doesn't mean we can't continue to support Black organizations within our communities. This Black History Month, we’re highlighting Black organizations in Madison & Chicago, and encourage you to donate to their causes.

SIX madison ORGANIZATIONS YOU CAN DONATE TO NOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN BLACK LIVES

• The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness: “Our mission at The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness is to empower a generation of Well Black Women. We do this through year-round education programming, advocacy, and powerful partnerships. We are committed to supporting women across the life span to build and sustain well-being in their lives while working to eliminate health disparities that disproportionately impact Black women and their families.” DONATE HERE

• 100 Black Men of Madison: “100 Black Men of Madison, Inc. began its operation in 1994 and was incorporated in 1995 as a nonprofit organization comprised of members from many professional disciplines in the greater Madison area. The Madison chapter was established with the concept that it would make a positive difference in the lives of area youth, especially African American males, through mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic development programs. 100 Black Men of Madison, Inc. is an affiliate of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.” DONATE HERE

• Black Enterprise Fund: “The Black Enterprise Fund will empower the Black community of Madison and Dane County through funding five dynamic, successful, enterprise-building, Black-led nonprofit organizations. These organizations serve youth, entrepreneurs, job-seekers, young professionals, and the community at large. Funds gathered in this campaign will be divided equally among these organizations and provide sustainability for their ongoing work to engage and empower Black families and communities.” DONATE HERE

• Just Bakery: “Just Bakery is a 12 week educational and vocational training program. The program works with individuals who are experiencing significant barriers to employment (homelessness, justice involved, lack of education, and/or a lack of work history or skills). Just Bakery utilizes the National Restaurant Association’s “ManageFirst” curriculum, teaching hospitality and restaurant management, supervision, cost control, nutrition, and ServSafe to our students, as well as intro to baking hands-on in our commercial kitchen. This curriculum allows students to earn up to 12 college credits and gain automatic acceptance into the Madison College Culinary Program.  Students also receive sales and marketing experience by working side by side with program staff in a variety of sales venues, learning customer service skills and front of the house skills. All proceeds from Just Bakery sales are reinvested into the program and have allowed us to hire our graduates to work in the program both on the instructional and production side of the program.” DONATE HERE

• Mentoring Positives: “Mentoring Positives has been helping youth find a positive path since 2004. We need your support now more than ever. A gift to Mentoring Positives today will help us provide social and emotional support for young people who have experienced trauma, are lagging behind their peers in school, or have been involved with the criminal justice system. With your tax-deductible gift today, we can make a difference in these young lives.” DONATE HERE

• Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association: “Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association is trying to reduce health disparities and restore trust in medicine. The RLWA Men’s Health & Education Center is inside JP Hair Design, Madison’s largest barbershop. The center aims to improve social and health conditions for Back men in Dane County.” DONATE HERE

SIX CHICAGO ORGANIZATIONS YOU CAN DONATE TO NOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN BLACK LIVES

• Brave Space Alliance: '“BSA is a vehicle to empower and elevate queer and trans voices, particularly those belonging to people of color, to allow our communities a seat at the table on key decision making processes that impact the community of Chicago.” DONATE HERE

• Assata’s Daughters: “Assata’s Daughters (“AD”) first formed in 2015 as a volunteer-based collective of Black women, femmes, and gender non-conforming people, to address a shortage of programming and community for women-identified, femme, and gender non-conforming young Black people in Chicago.” DONATE HERE

• GoodKids MadCity: “Our goal is to bring young community members together to build unity, nurture healing, and create a thriving community. Throughout the process, GKMC-E will collect data that will document real change and growth in the fight against violence in the Englewood community. In addition, GKMC-E will shift and frame the narrative on urban violence by amplifying the voices of those directly impacted.” DONATE HERE

• The TRiiBE: “The TRiiBE is a digital media platform that is reshaping the narrative of Black Chicago and giving ownership back to the people. Our original works in journalism and documentary, alongside creative writing and video, capture the multifaceted essence of the Black experience in pursuit of truth and liberation.” DONATE HERE

• Black Youth Project 100: “BYP100 is dedicated to improving the lived experiences of Black people. Central to our direct action and issue advocacy work, is the need to ensure that we have funds to support not only this work, but the folks that put their lives and freedom on the line. Funds raised on this page will be used to support our daily work, but also to provide mutual aid, legal support, bail funds, and other logistic/supportive services related to this work.” DONATE HERE

• The Greater Chicago Food Depository: “The Food Depository is part of a united community effort working to bring food, dignity and hope to our Cook County neighbors. We act as the hub for a network of more than 700 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other programs. These programs provide food where it’s most needed. We also address the root causes of hunger. Public benefits outreach and job training programs offer support for our neighbors to overcome poverty. As the face of hunger in our community has changed, the Food Depository has evolved. Our programs address the specific needs of diverse groups, including children, older adults and veterans.” DONATE HERE