Albemarle Foundation Partners with SHARE Charlotte For a Second Year, With A Special Focus On Programming for Black-led Nonprofits
As we all know, 2020 was a tough year - especially for our nonprofit community. Despite the hope that a new year brings, COVID-19 continues to make fundraising challenging. The pandemic’s impact on our economy has also resulted in a higher demand for nonprofit services, especially those related to housing, food, mental health, foster care, access to technology, education and domestic violence - forcing many nonprofits to reimagine the way they serve their constituents.
Additionally, 2020’s protests for racial equality as well as the recent availability of data demonstrating funding inequities for Black-led social change has put a spotlight on Black-led, Black-benefitting organizations. With a heightened awareness of the inequality in giving that exists, it is up to donors and funders to intentionally invest in Black-led and Black-benefitting nonprofits to promote racial equity.
Through their continued partnership with SHARE Charlotte, the Albemarle Foundation is doing just that. Recognizing the especially challenging times Charlotte nonprofits continue to face, this year the Albemarle Foundation has committed another $100,000 to not only help keep SHARE Charlotte’s premium SHINE™ nonprofit programming costs low, but to offer it complimentary for SHARE’s Black-led, Black-benefitting nonprofit partners. (See how SHARE and Albemarle Foundation partnered in 2020).
“Albemarle Foundation is honored to support the SHARE SHINE™ program that assists all member philanthropic organizations with the tools, collaboration, and education that they need to create sustainable communities. In 2021, in alignment with our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts we are putting a focus on Black-led philanthropic organizations and grateful for SHARE Charlotte’s leadership and outreach efforts that make that impact possible,” says Sandra Holub, Executive Director of the Albemarle Foundation.
When SHARE Charlotte’s 90+ Black-led nonprofit partners were made aware of this investment in their business and professional development, the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Shaguana Hunt, Founder and Executive Director of Raise a Child of the Carolinas shared “This is wonderful news! I really wanted to figure out a way for us to take advantage of the SHINE program for this new fiscal year… but the cost was the only reason we couldn't. Thank you Albemarle Foundation so much, we are extremely thankful for this gift!”
Amanda Schneider, Senior Development Officer at Renaissance West Community Initiative said “Such fantastic news! We cannot thank the Albemarle Foundation enough. We can’t wait [to take advantage of] the opportunities ahead for our staff in 2021. ”
And Courtnie McIntosh, Founder and CEO of The Academy of Goal Achievers said “Now this is awesome!! This is how you really ‘share Charlotte’ - I will be taking advantage of everything!”
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Albemarle Foundation again in 2021!” said Amy Jacobs, Executive Director of SHARE Charlotte. “Not only do they have such a heart for Charlotte’s nonprofit community as a whole, but with this gift they are recognizing the unique funding and resource challenges that Black-led, Black-benefitting nonprofits face. This investment is one way they can help level the playing field and meaningfully impact these organizations’ work.”
About the Albemarle Foundation
Albemarle Corporation, their employees and retirees have invested millions of dollars and countless volunteer hours in support of their communities. Albemarle, a specialty chemicals company, created the Albemarle Foundation in 2007 - a private endowed 501c3 entity who set out with a mission to make a positive, sustainable difference in the communities where Albemarle employees live and operate. Today, Albemarle Foundation builds on this history of commitment and participation to make an even greater, more sustainable and profound impact on the places they call home.
Albemarle Foundation has distributed over $45 million worldwide. When Albemarle relocated its worldwide headquarters to Charlotte in 2016, the company’s leadership wanted to get involved in the community in a powerful way, and have since invested in the work of over 200 Mecklenburg County nonprofits, including SHARE Charlotte, with grants totaling over $14 million.