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BIPOC Opportunity Fund

For decades, the fundraising and philanthropic space in Austin has historically marginalized and left out the voices of fundraisers of color and communities of color. It is our goal to proactively work to dismantle historic racism that has existed within our AFP chapter and in this field. With this and with the goals of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in mind, the AFP Greater Austin Chapter is launching a new program entitled “BIPOC Opportunity Fund”. This fund will be used to award fundraising capacity building grants to BIPOC-led (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) organizations and provide them with a fundraising consultant vetted by AFP Greater Austin to help them build and strengthen their fundraising capacity to advance their missions over a year. Whether that be the development of annual fund plan, professional development for staff, grant writing, feasibility study, and or a development audit, this fund will both provide resources and technical expertise needed by both the client and the consultant, which are real barriers. Some of the overarching goals of this initiative are to:

  • Strengthen fundraising strategies and the capacity for BIPOC-led organizations
  • Establish trust and new alliances with communities of color in the Greater Austin philanthropic community
  • Build the pipeline for fundraisers of color to showcase and demonstrate their profession and contributions
  • Empower both fundraisers of color and BIPOC led organizations to realize their full potential as professionals and high impact nonprofit organizations in our region

In 2025, AFP greater Austin achieved its goal to raise $50,000 for the pilot year of the fund. Based on the success of the pilot year, AFP Greater Austin will seek to raise additional funds to sustain the future of the initiative. 

Thank you to all of the BIPOC Opportunity Fund Donors!

Special thank you to the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation who is the lead investor in this initiative!

Initiative Timeline:

  • April 2025: Open RFP for interested consultants who, if selected, will be matched with one of the four nonprofit grantees.
  • May 2025: Open application for BIPOC-led nonprofit organizations to request funds to work with a consultant to complete a project intended to build their fundraising capacity. 
  • July 2025: Grant awardees will be announced and matched with a consultant. This year, AFP Greater Austin seeks to award support to up to four different BIPOC-led nonprofits. 
  • September 2025-May 2025: Funded projects will be executed.

 Fund Application: Opening in May 2025!

Consultant RFP: 

AFP Greater Austin is now accepting RFP submissions from consultants interested in participating in this initiative. The submission deadline is May 31, 2025.

 

Click Here to Learn More and Apply!

 

Questions about the RFP? Contact AFP Greater Austin Executive Director, Jayden Beatty, at [email protected].

 

 Success Metrics:

  • Increase in AFP memberships by BIPOC led organizations. Each BIPOC led organization awarded a grant will receive 2 AFP annual memberships for their employees for the year. We hope this initiative will inspire other BIPOC organization to join our chapter.
  • Increase in development capacity of BIPOC led nonprofits: Based on the nature of the fundraising project, all awardees will report a significant increase in the development capacity after a pre and post assessment.
  • Fundraisers of Color will report an increase in their consulting business: Participating consultants of color in the initiative, will report an increase in the consulting business (referrals, new contracts, etc.)
  • AFP IDEA Impact report will document significant improvements: All awardees will provide a end of year impact report that demonstrates how this fund advanced their mission, work, and fundraising capacity based on the IDEA objectives.
  • AFP GAC Chapter will see a 15% increase of fundraisers of color participating in our events and activities

Additional Facts: 

  • We define BIPOC led nonprofit organizations when two of three criteria are met: 1. at least 50% of the board of directors identifies as BIPOC; 2. whose executive director or 50% of senior leadership (decision-makers) identify as BIPOC, and 3. whose mission statement and/or programs aim to predominately serve BIPOC communities.
  • Generally, BIPOC led organizations with operating budgets of under $500k will be given first consideration for this fund.
  • The BIPOC Fund would award up to 4 technical assistance grants to BIPOC led nonprofit organizations wherein a fundraiser of color (preferably, but not exclusively) would be selected to provide development consulting services based on a defined scope of work contractually over a 9-month time period.