PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
More than 40 nonprofit leaders of color build community and capacity through the Harambee Delaware program
[Wilmington, Delaware] – Today, the Harambee [Ha-rahm-bay] Delaware program is announcing its new first-of-its-kind website and the launch of its second cohort supporting nonprofit leaders of color in Delaware.
A fiscally sponsored project of the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) that is coordinated by The Proximity Project, Harambee Delaware first began in January 2022 as an innovative training and community-building program focused on leaders of color.
The name “Harambee,” derived from the Kenyan tradition, embodies the program’s mission to unite and empower communities through fundraising, philanthropy, and meeting critical community needs. The inaugural cohort in 2021 brought together 20 leaders of color for monthly virtual training that focused on participants’ unique needs and opportunities to grow their impact. The current cohort includes an additional 25 leaders who meet monthly to discuss topics including fundraising, budgeting, self-care and sustainability, and organizational planning. Harambee Delaware members also receive 1:1 consultations and have access to a learning platform where they can access videos, templates, and curriculum to help strengthen their organizations.
Atnre Alleyne, Founder of The Proximity Project and lead facilitator of Harambee Delaware explained the impetus for the initiative:
“As someone who has started and led a few nonprofit programs in Delaware, I know how much-needed it is to have space to affirm and support each other in the face of the bias and injustice we deal with on a daily basis.”
In addition to the cohort, the groundbreaking Harambee Delaware website provides a directory of funders to help increase awareness of potential sources of funding. It also includes a directory of organizations with leaders of color to better connect funders to a group of changemakers who typically receive much less support. The website provides a compilation of resources for anyone seeking more equitable philanthropy and a wide array of tools and resources for nonprofit leaders.
Giovanna Andrews, founder and CEO of Harper’s Heart, and a member of Harambee Delaware’s first cohort, was recently awarded her largest grant – a $200,000 2-year investment from the Longwood Foundation – to allow her to provide more support for new and expecting mothers in Delaware.
She shared this about Harambee Delaware:
“Harambee Delaware centered the importance of collaboration and unity while fine tuning the skills I needed to be a successful leader. Harambee DE also guided me through many rigorous grant applications and helped me secure major funding for my organization.”
You can view the full list of Harambee Delaware members including The Connect, Black Mothers in Power, Jay’s House, Delaware Adolescent Program, Inc., Ubuntu Black Family Wellness Collective, I Am My Sister’s Keeper, Inc., Native Roots Farm Foundation here.
Harambee Delaware has been generously supported by the Delaware Community Foundation’s BIPOC Leaders Grant program, Barclays, Welfare Foundation, and the Longwood Foundation.
Stuart Comstock-Gay, President & CEO of DCF shared:
“The DCF is committed to building equity for all in Delaware, and we’re particularly focused on the challenges of racial equity at this moment in our history. It’s an honor for us to support Harambee’s work to advance nonprofit leaders of color to build community and collective power.”
Anyone interested in joining the next cohort or making a donation to the Harambee Delaware Fund to support this initiative can learn more at www.harambeede.org.
About The Proximity Project: The Proximity Project (www.theproximitypro.com) is a training and consulting firm on a mission to help leaders and institutions become anti-racist and proximate to the marginalized communities they serve. Founded in 2020 by nonprofit founder and leader, Atnre Alleyne, The Proximity Project designs unique learning experiences that center community voices, increase understanding, and prompt commitment and action for racial justice, equity, and inclusion.
Media Contact: Atnre Alleyne, Founder of The Proximity Project – atnre@theproximitypro.com – 609-505-4285.
