Lifestyle Political Issues

Your Money Is Power—Here’s How to Give It to the Fight for Racial Justice

Mary Grace Garis

June 2, 2020

A number of funds and organizations supporting the Black Lives Matter movement are overwhelmed with donations. The Minnesota Freedom Fund, for example, has received such an outpouring of support that they've stopped accepting donations—but there's still work to be done, and other pockets to be filled. When you choose to donate your money to organizations that support Black Lives Matter, you give the power to impact the specific problems faced by Black Americans during—and after—the protests.

In order to donate effectively, it's important to understand the the systemic issues that feed into oppression, particularly those which contributed to the deaths of George Floyd and countless others. Donating effectively means supporting organizations working to change the criminal justice system, eliminate police brutality, and make health and safety resources affordable and accessible. It means supporting Black-owned businesses as well as grassroots relief funds and wellness sources. And when we think about uprising in both local, state, and national spheres, it means making sure Black voices are heard, especially when counting ballots.

Below, you'll find 13 ways to donate to organizations and funds in a way that effectively supports Black Lives Matter now and into the future. Make your money count.

Where to donate money in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement

1. Mutual Aid Funds

Mutual aid funds are really about providing relief to specific communities in a time of crisis. Depending on your areas, you can donate to the NYC Mutual Aid Fund, the Philadelphia Mutual Aid Fund, the Los Angeles Mutual Aid Fund. But why stop there? This incredible spreadsheet features dozens of cities throughout the United States that could use the support.

2. NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

This non-profit works is all about fighting racial injustice in, well, the justice system. They do it through litigation, advocacy, and public education, and a strong defense of the civil rights won over the past 75 years.

3. PIMENTO RELIEF FUND

A collaboration with the Association for Black Economic Power (which could also use your money) the Pimento Relief Fund focuses on restoring uninsured Black businesses in Minnesota, particularly community institutions set on fire by white supremacists during the protests.

4. RECLAIM THE BLOCK

Reclaim the Block is a Minneapolis-based organization focused on a reallocation of funds, particularly one that defunds the police and pours money back into the community as well as safety initiatives.

5. BLACK VISIONS COLLECTIVE

Black Visions collective is a Black-led, queer- and trans-centering organization with clear goals for dismantling systemic violence through strategic campaigns, elevating Black leadership, and more.

6. COLOR OF CHANGE

A prominent online community, Color of Change has an expansive range of objectives to eliminate racial disparity. Its work extends to making changes in criminal justice by advocating for the end of money bails, stopping prison expansion and calling for an end to anti-Black violence. But it also looks to fix problems in everything from media representation to voting disenfranchisement.

7. THE MOVEMENT FOR BLACK LIVES

The Movement For Black Lives is generally a space where Black organizations can communicate and organize with each other in order to create large scale policy change. To that note, its COVID-19 Relief Fund for Black lives needs support, too.

8. THE BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE

Let's talk voter suppression. What's going to matter in terms enacting policy change is that as many marginalized people as possible can get to the polls. The Brennan Center ensures that every American has the right to vote by focusing on a trinity of voter reform, ending voter suppression, and restoring voter rights for those with a criminal past.

10. UNICORN RIOT

Unicorn Riot is a non-profit independent media organization that holds coverage of major US cities. They work to shine a light on the root causes of socio-political and environmental issues by raising voices.