January 25, 2021
TMF invests $500,000 in funding for racial justice efforts
The Texas Methodist Foundation (TMF) announced today a $500,000 investment in six nonprofits and one new initiative, based on recommendations from the TMF Racial Justice Task Force. The task force was created in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery to help TMF advance its pledge to leverage resources and relationships to address generations of structural racism and narrow the economic, educational, and health inequities in under-resourced communities.
Part of that commitment included a $500,000 allocation from the TMF operating budget to support the work of racial justice, invest in communities where underinvestment has been the norm, and identify leaders of color who are living the experience of transforming communities of color. The following received TMF Impact Investment for Racial Justice awards:
- Iniciativa de Impacto Comunitario (Impacto)
- Center for African American History and Culture (CAAHC) at Virginia Union University
- United States Christian Leadership Organization
- Project Canvas
- Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. Community Outreach Center
- ImagiNoir at projectCURATE
- Congregational Partnerships Initiative
The task force is chaired by TMF’s Bishop Janice Riggle-Huie and includes stakeholders Rev. Richie Butler, John Esquivel, Rev. Dr. Lucretia Facen, Rev. Taylor Fuerst, Rev. Dr. Matt Russell, Rev. Lupina Villalpando Stewart and Kelvin Walker.
In explaining the task force’s strategy, John Esquivel said, “We wanted to make larger awards to fewer, smaller organizations who have proven track records of healing and uplifting their communities and the leadership and entrepreneurship to dismantle systemic racism and other barriers to equity. Instead of constantly in a fundraising mode, we wanted these initiatives to be able to focus on their work, give reality to their dreams, build a relationship with TMF and implement solutions they know from lived-experiences would help build a just society.”
“TMF is so grateful for the work of this task force,” said TMF President Tom Locke. “They took our charge seriously to determine the most effective way to distribute TMF’s investment in racial equity. We all know we have a long way to go toward creating communities that are truly safe, supportive, and inclusive for all. They have deepened our understanding of the active engagement, capacity building, listening and learning required to do that work.”
About TMF
Texas Methodist Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the Church to achieve its God-appointed mission, and living our values of servanthood, integrity and competence. TMF is the largest United Methodist foundation in the country offering assistance to United Methodists through investments, loans, grants, leadership platforms, gift planning, and endowment services. TMF serves the six United Methodist conferences throughout Texas and New Mexico. TMF is based in Austin, Texas. To learn more, please visit tmf-fdn.org.