Nearly one year ago, we witnessed a devastating moment of state violence that claimed the life of George Floyd. Now, justice has been served.
While the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial is a pivotal outcome in the long history of denying justice to Black Americans, it is just a first step. Much more truth-telling and action are needed to implement change. We must remain committed to nurturing a culture that honors equity, liberation, and inclusiveness for all. The New York Women’s Foundation continues its commitment by investing in the leaders and solutions working towards change.
For 34 years, The Foundation has advanced racial justice and continually pushes for the equity and liberation of Black communities through our grantmaking. Our philanthropy addresses the historical legacies of racism by centering on the leadership and needs of underinvested communities. We conduct this work by partnering with community leaders and grassroots organizations.
In 2018, we launched The Justice Initiative and Collaborative Fund, a vehicle to address the root causes of mass incarceration, state violence, and advance healing practices for system-impacted families. Since its founding, we’ve been able to fund 33 organizations that work to support women and families to live safely and free from violence. Good Call NYC and Alliance of Families for Justice are two such organizations. Good Call NYC ensures that people’s rights at the time of arrest are protected and connects them to legal services through their hotline.  Alliance of Families for Justice provides mental health services and legal support to families impacted by incarceration and police violence.
We continue to work with our grantee partners and supporters to build a collective commitment to taking direct action, providing the necessary resources and infrastructure, holding ourselves, government leaders, and others accountable working toward racial justice.
In Solidarity,
Ana Oliveira
President & CEO, The New York Women’s Foundation
