Key Findings

ACT funding shifted historic patterns of disinvestment.

• In four of the five participating cities, organizations in majority BIPOC zip codes received lower median foundation funding than organizations in white majority zip codes in 2019. 
• By 2022, arts organizations in majority BIPOC zip codes were receiving higher median foundation funding than those in white majority zip codes in all four cities where funds had been disbursed. 
• Examining data from 2019-2024 the proportion of total foundation dollars supporting arts organizations in BIPOC majority zip codes increased in four of the five cities.

The program’s design yielded lasting impacts for participating funders and intermediaries, including:

• Strengthened cross-funder relationships
• Increased expertise in trust-based philanthropy and crisis response
• Forged new relationships or deepened existing ones between local funders and BIPOC organizations

The research surfaced key learnings for supporting BIPOC organizations going forward, including:

• Provide flexible multi-year funding and invest in long-term benefits like skill building and network expansion. 
• Prioritize organizational sustainability over project outcomes and involve community members in decision-making. 
• Raise the visibility of organizations’ work through grantmaker communications platforms.  
• Address persistent infrastructure gaps, including affordable and sustainable spaces, alongside funding.