Akira J Barclay

The CUNY International Fellows Program and Community Foundations: Learnings from the Field

The CUNY International Fellows Program and Community Foundations: Learnings from the Field report explores how alumni have shaped community foundation development around the world, as well as how the program evolved over time. Ten years ago I was willing to bend anyone’s ear about giving circles, the power of collective giving and what we lose…

The Collaborative: Virtual Sessions

The Collaborative: Virtual SessionsTuesday, June 8, 202111:05 AM – 11:50 AM Central MAIN STAGE Day 1: Why Giving Circles are the Best Kept Secret for Nonprofits In today’s evolving fundraising landscape, giving circles can help nonprofits of any size go beyond dollars and donations and open more doors for their organization, from helping to secure…

NYU BeTogether Alumni Conference

On April 10 and April 11, the NYU alumni community will gather for the inaugural NYU BeTogether Alumni Conference. I will join an alumni panel for the closing session: Putting on Your Thinking Cap: Tools for DEI Advocates & Allies. My breakout session will focus on how to advocate for yourself and others in philanthropy…

Giving Together: How Communities are Driving a Giving Circle Renaissance

To view the full recording visit Purpose Possible Giving Circles: Key Takeaways

The POWER of WE

What happens when donors come together, pool their resources, and collectively decide on how they want to distribute funds? They harness The POWER of WE, the power of collective giving. Join Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW), as we explore the power of collective giving. The discussion will center on how this grassroots philanthropic movement empowers…

The Power of Giving Circles

In case you missed it! Watch The Power of Giving Circles, a discussion about the history, impact and power of Black-led giving circles.

Why People Give

Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW) offered an exploration into the reasons why people give, with a focus on giving by the Black community. Earlier this year, CFW released a report that explored giving by communities of color. CFW partnered with BECOME: Center for Community Engagement and Social Change to conduct a formative evaluation to determine…

5 Smart Ways to Approach Philanthropy in 2020 and Beyond

This year demands that we reconsider almost everything. As a philanthropist, this is a great time to re-examine how you give.

The Power of Giving (National Roundtable)

Tune in for The Power of Giving, the culminating event of the “Black Philanthropy Month: Lunch & Learn Webinar Series“ presented by the Black Funders of St. Louis. On Saturday August 29th, I will join leaders from Black-led giving circles from across the United States to discuss the importance of philanthropy, the role of Black…

GoWomen

Defined in simplest terms, philanthropy means the love of humanity.

Everyday Givers

Black-led Giving Circles have inspired a movement and define what it means to democratize philanthropy

The Sweetness of Circles

The Sweetness of Circles is an important and timely opinion piece on the deep significance of Black-led giving circles and why we need more now. Visit the Medium account Black Giving 365 and join the conversation. “Unlike other communities of color and historically disenfranchised groups, for Black Americans giving circles affirm an African legacy. Contributions from…

Meet The South Side Queenmakers

More than 30 women have teamed up to to invest in Black Women and Girls in Chicago. The initiative is called QUEENMAKERS: Power Transformation for Black Girls from the South Side Giving Circle at the Chicago Foundation for Women.

Growfund for Giving Circles Signals Shift in Community Philanthropy

A new giving platform is eliminating common barriers for giving circles.

Akira Barclay Quoted in New Report on Engaging Wealthy Donors of Color

The Value of Giving Circles in the Evolution of Community Philanthropy by Akira Barclay is cited in a new report on engaging wealthy donors of color.

International Fellows Program Alumni Conference

Cheers to a successful International Fellows Program Alumni Conference! The Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at the Graduate Center, City University of New York International Fellows Program Alumni in Milan, Italy

The Value of Giving Circles in the Evolution of Community Philanthropy (Full Text)

The Value of Giving Circles in the Evolution of Community Philanthropy: How community-based philanthropy can be strengthened by forging a bond between community foundations and Black giving circles in the United States is being featured in the Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society’s spotlight on community foundations. Visit the website for the full text and other research by…

Black Girl Freedom Fund

A COLLECTIVE OF BLACK WOMEN AND FEMME ACTIVISTS, ARTISTS, EDUCATORS, ORGANIZERS AND PHILANTHROPISTS ARE CALLING FOR A $1 BILLION INVESTMENT IN BLACK GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN OVER THE NEXT DECADE. Black girls and young women have been on the front lines of fighting for racial and gender equality, but our stories and lives are often…

August 28, 2013 – August 28, 2020

Late in the summer of 2013, I was approached to write a guest post for the blog of Alliance for Justice’s Bolder Advocacy Initiative about Black Philanthropy Month. The project is devoted to encouraging funders to support groups working for social change. My task was to identify some key advocacy and organizing issues of particular…

Black-led, Black serving: The Latest Giving Circle Trend of 2019

Throughout 2019, I along with my colleagues Valaida Fullwood and Tracey Webb worked to ensure the American giving circle narrative includes the vital importance and influence of Black-led, Black-serving circles.