Smithsonian Launched New Initiative: “Race, Community and Our Shared Future”

Bank of America commits $25 million to “Race, Community and Our Shared Future” Initiative

The Smithsonian has partnered with Bank of America to create it’s newest initiative. According to the Smithsonian, “Race, Community and Our Shared Future” will tackle how Americans currently “understand, experience and confront race.”

This $25 million commitment adds to Bank Of America’s recently announced $1 billion, four-year commitment to advance issues of racial equality, health care, and economic opportunity in minority communities.

Brian Moynihan, Bank of America CEO and museum council member for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Had this to say

“A true sense of urgency has arisen in our communities and we must not let it quiet down,” Our commitment to the Smithsonian will support conversations that can advance economic and social progress. Now is the time. We all must do more.”

The Smithsonian will use resources from the museums, education and research complex, to look at the historical context of present day American challenges. The Smithsonian hopes to use this initiative to seek solutions for building a more inclusive, sustainable future. They will collaborate with Leaders from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Smithsonian Latino Center, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, the National Museum of American History, other Smithsonian museums and centers, and the Smithsonian American Women’s History.

The initiative launched with a series of virtual town hall conversations that included global and national leaders in civil rights, social justice, and economic mobility. There will be national and local programs aimed at engaging people in communities across the country on issues relating to race and equity.

Furthering the conversation

Grantmaking for racial and social justice has been steadily increasing over the last couple of weeks. Companies like Walmart and Amazon are giving millions to nonprofits and businesses focused on justice inequalities. GrantWatch, the leading grant search engine recently created a Social Justice category that currently lists over 150 grants. So, nonprofits with less brand recognition than the Smithsonian can obtain grant funding that will allow them to shed light on social justice causes.

Featured grant

In honor of Juneteenth, today’s featured grant is Award of $10,00 to a USA Individual, Group, or Organization to Recognize Efforts Supporting First Amendment Rights. Get Details at GrantWatch.com