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Boston Racial Equity Fund

The fund coordinates and streamlines the collective desire of those looking to contribute to the cause of racial justice and equity in Boston

The Boston Racial Equity Fund has joined efforts with the New Commonwealth Fund to advance racial equity and dismantle systemic racism in Boston and Massachusetts. Fundraising for the Fund will be momentarily paused in anticipation of the mayoral transition. All interested parties are encouraged to make a donation to the New Commonwealth Fund.

About the fund

Background

The Boston Racial Equity Fund was created in June 2020. The Fund's goal is to increase the safety, wellbeing, equity, and prosperity of the Black and Brown community. We want to advance racial equity. At the same time, we want to dismantle systemic racism in Boston and its enduring effects. The Fund will work to coordinate and amplify philanthropic interest.

The Fund is staffed and coordinated by the newly-established Equity and Inclusion cabinet. This is under the leadership of the Chief of Equity. The cabinet works across departments to embed equity into all City work. The cabinet is made up of these existing departments and agencies:

The Fund exists as a program within the Boston Charitable Trust. The Trust is an existing 501(c)(3) designated trust fund managed by the City of Boston's Treasury Department. If you have questions for Treasury, you can call 617-635-4140 or email treasury@boston.gov.

Steering committee

The 16-member group consists of Boston leaders in education, philanthropy, the business sector, health, and the overall civic life of the City.

Committee members
  • Lee Pelton, (Chair) Emerson College
  • Beth Chandler, YW Boston
  • Denella Clark, Boston Arts Academy Foundation
  • Dr. Thea L. James, BMC
  • Eric Esteves, The Lenny Zakim Fund
  • Fatima Ali-Salaam, Greater Mattapan Neighborhood Council
  • Karla Nicholson, Haymarket People's Fund
  • Klare Shaw. Liberty Mutual Foundation
  • Linda Dorcena Forry, Suffolk Construction
  • Lori Smith-Britton, Community Resource Consulting, Inc.
  • Mo Cowan, GE
  • Pam Everhart, Fidelity Investments
  • Penn Loh, Hyams Foundation
  • Steve Tompkins, Suffolk County Sheriff
  • Thelma Burns, Community Advocate, formerly ABCD
  • Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA)
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