This Black History Month, one impactful way to honor the past and invest in the future is to donate to Black-led charities. Black History Month is always an important time to reflect on the legacy and continued contributions of Black leaders, communities and organizations across the United States, but it is also a good time to move from reflection to action.

The following organizations, all members of the Give Lively nonprofit community, are driving progress in key areas like civil rights, education and cultural preservation. Of course, they do it all year round and welcome contributions at any time, but if you are a donor seeking meaningful initiatives to support, or you’re a fellow nonprofit professional seeking inspiring examples of effective online fundraising, consider the high-impact organizations below.

This blog post is the first in our Breakthrough Nonprofits series. (“Breakthrough” is also the name of our monthly newsletter of inspiration and wisdom for nonprofits.) In these articles, we focus on nonprofit power and persistence. We celebrate eliminating barriers to create meaningful change. The organizations shared below are true "breakthrough" nonprofits, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in their fields. Support for them is an investment, in this case, in the future of racial justice, educational equity, artistic expression and community empowerment. 

Nonprofits to donate to for Black History Month

Black Men Read

The “Black Men Read” program, fiscally supported by Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, uplifts Black men, children and communities using the rich tradition of oral storytelling to disrupt harmful narratives about Black people, especially those about Black men.   

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area

The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area is dedicated to advancing and defending civil and racial rights through high-impact litigation, public policy advocacy and pro bono legal services. The organization works to combat racism and injustice, focusing on economic justice, immigrant justice and voting rights. Seeking to advance equity and equality, it offers free legal assistance to low-income individuals and minority communities.

National CARES Mentoring Movement

The National CARES Mentoring Movement works to secure and transform the lives of Black children by recruiting, training and connecting volunteer mentors to local organizations. It is a social-emotional wellness movement focused on healing, education and raising consciousness in Black communities. It creates a network of support to help young people break cycles of poverty, violence and inadequate education, enabling them to realize their full potential.

The Hidden Genius Project

The Hidden Genius Project is an educational nonprofit that trains and mentors Black male youth in technology creation, entrepreneurship and leadership skills. Its intensive programs empower young men to transform their ideas into viable businesses and innovative solutions, equipping them with the knowledge and resources to thrive in the innovation economy and become change agents in their communities.

Life Pieces to Masterpieces

Life Pieces to Masterpieces (LPTM) is an arts-based youth development organization that uses creative expression and mentoring to empower young Black males in Washington, D.C. Through visual arts, poetry and performance, LPTM guides its participants, known as Apprentices, to transform their pain and challenges into "masterpieces." The program focuses on holistic development, teaching life skills, promoting positive decision-making and fostering leadership to help the Apprentices realize their innate potential and become agents of positive change in their communities.

Ujamaa Place

Ujamaa Place is a Saint Paul-based organization that supports African American men, with a focus on those aged 18-30, facing homelessness, incarceration and chronic unemployment. The Minnesota organization provides a holistic approach that includes transitional housing, job training and placement, mental health and wellness support, and life skills education. Ujamaa Place aims to disrupt the cycle of poverty and incarceration by helping these men achieve financial independence, build healthy relationships and become productive members of the community.

National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., Oakland-Bay Area Chapter

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., Oakland-Bay Area Chapter, is a volunteer organization that serves as a voice for Black women and girls. Through its mission to advocate on behalf of women and girls of African descent, the chapter addresses social, political and economic issues to help women and girls reach their full potential. It achieves this by implementing programs within five core areas: advocacy, health, education, economic empowerment and strategic alliances.

Tech Forward

Tech Forward (formerly HBCUForce) connects students and alumni from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with career opportunities in the technology sector. The organization focuses on creating a talent pipeline through career acceleration programs, professional development training and networking events. Tech Forward aims to equip its community with the skills and resources needed to thrive in the innovation economy, thereby increasing the representation of Black professionals in tech and empowering the next generation of leaders.

Urban Word NYC

Urban Word NYC promotes literacy and youth development through the literary arts, including poetry, hip-hop and spoken word. The nonprofit provides free, high-quality literary arts education and mentorship to young people in New York City, creating a safe and brave space for them to develop their voices, critically engage with social issues and prepare for college and career opportunities. Through workshops, open mics and competitive events like the Annual NYC Youth Poet Laureate program, Urban Word fosters a community where diverse youth can transform their lives and communities through the power of their words.

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir

The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir (OIGC) teaches, performs and preserves African American Gospel music traditions. Founded by Terrance Kelly, the choir is renowned for its diverse membership across races, religions and cultures, bringing people together through the power of Gospel music. Beyond performing, OIGC is committed to community engagement and education, offering programs that enrich the lives of its members and the broader public, all while serving as a cultural ambassador for this vibrant American art form.

Associated Black Charities

Associated Black Charities (ABC) is a leading public policy and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing racial equity and improving the quality of life for Black people throughout Maryland. ABC champions economic equity, health equity and racial justice by providing capacity-building resources to Black-led organizations, conducting data-driven research and convening stakeholders to address systemic issues. Through an equity lens, ABC works to dismantle barriers and create a more inclusive and prosperous state for all residents.

Our Street PDX

Our Street PDX is a Black-led, Black-serving organization that promotes social justice, equity and the well-being of the Black community in Portland, Oregon. Its work centers on education, advocacy and community building, aiming to uplift and empower Black residents by confronting systemic inequalities and fostering a sense of connection and belonging within the city.

BlackStar

BlackStar creates spaces and resources to uplift the work of Black, Brown and Indigenous artists. It produces year-round programs including film screenings, exhibitions, an annual film festival, a filmmaker seminar, a film production lab and a journal of visual culture. 

Normal Anomaly Initiative

The Normal Anomaly Initiative is dedicated to shifting the culture of inequity that impacts Black, queer people in Houston, Texas, and throughout the South. The organization works to make life livable and affirming for the Black queer community by providing safe spaces, resources and educational programming. Its efforts focus on empowering individuals, fostering community resilience and advocating for systemic change to dismantle oppressive structures and promote health equity and wellness.

Urban Ed Academy

Urban Ed Academy (UEA) is addresses the educational equity gap by preparing and placing Black and Brown men into credentialed teaching roles, particularly in elementary schools, within California’s Bay Area. The organization operates a residency program that provides aspiring teachers with the mentorship, professional development and financial support they need to become full-time, certified teachers. UEA's model focuses on cultivating a diverse and effective teacher workforce, aiming to improve student outcomes by leveraging representation and sustained professional growth for educators of color.

The Historic Magnolia House

The Historic Magnolia House Foundation is preserves and restores The Historic Magnolia House, a former Green Book site in Greensboro, North Carolina. This landmark served as a safe haven and gathering place for African American travelers and performers during the Jim Crow era. The Foundation's mission is to ensure the preservation of this historical treasure, which includes the original furniture and period pieces, and to honor its legacy by sharing its story and significance through tours and educational programs as a fully operational museum.