The Kresge Foundation has released their 2020 Annual Report, Our Common Purpose: Centering Racial Justice in Kresge’s Work.

The digital report “acknowledges that expanding opportunity in America’s cities cannot happen without racial justice – the overturning of structures that perpetuate systems of racial oppression and exclusion; and the elevation of solutions coming from Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and their communities.”

Amid the dual crises of the pandemic and national reckoning for racial justice, Kresge sharpened its focus to racial justice grantmaking.

Within the report, Rip Rapson, president and CEO of The Kresge Foundation, shares more on Kresge’s long-standing commitment and evolving journey to achieve racial justice. 

“For more than a decade, we have aligned the strategies of each of our programs with the aspiration of expanding opportunity for people with low wealth in America’s cities. Distilled to its essence, that has meant directing our investments and other resources to advance racial justice and long-term equity” Rapson wrote in the letter. 

In 2020, Kresge committed $30 million to support 60 racial justice organizations in cities across the United States. 

According to the letter, the foundation invested in place-based organizations led by people of color as well as nonprofits committed to helping the organizations effectively organize and advocate. 

The grants to these organizations are centered on:

•    Supporting front-line racial justice organizations in place and nationally.

•    Fortifying change led by residents of color.

•    Strengthening economies in neighborhoods of color.

•    Supporting small businesses owned by people of color.

•    Integrating community systems and supports to facilitate large-scale, lasting transformation.

The report also shares eight video stories told by Kresge partners that highlight how their nonprofit partners and investees have committed to racial justice. 

The videos share how Kresge’s partners are supporting BIPOC communities around the country by advocating for food security, education, clean energy policies, criminal punishment system reform and more.

Want more?

Access the full report.