signature practices
As a community foundation and as a backbone organization for Black-led change,
We have the honor of supporting dynamic visionaries across our state while understanding the conditions of the movement as a whole. Together, we’re supporting Black-led change not only like we want it to win, but like it is already winning.
In order to effectively build infrastructure for Black-led change and reach our strategic goals, we have created signature practices to build Black philanthropic power, transform philanthropy, and support community leaders.
We believe that in order to create long lasting transformation, we need to develop practices instead of programs. Programs are temporary; practices are long-term approaches. Through our signature practices, we do the following:
participatory grantmaking
We believe the most effective philanthropy is participatory, engaging those most proximate to guide us toward a transformative future. Through our culturally grounded approach to grantmaking, we are harnessing the power, leadership, and brilliance of Minnesota's Black communities to create transformational solutions to our state's biggest challenges.
Through an annual open nomination process, we select a cohort of Community Builders to help drive The Collective’s community investments and shape our impact. Their innovative philanthropy approaches shape and strengthen our grantmaking to be more responsive to the most urgent needs of the Black community. Learn more about Community Builders and participatory grantmaking here.
Power-Shift Solidarity Between Philanthropy and Black-led Change
We transform philanthropy in Minnesota and beyond by facilitating, supporting, and inspiring the philanthropic field to be in power-shifting solidarity. We do this through a practice of Learning & Research, partnering with renowned organizations to advance systems change through data, relationships, and networks. This signature practice is one of the most impactful components of our work and is a big part of our value-add in creating the conditions for Black-led change to be visible and well resourced. Click the images below to read our latest research reports.
Nurturing, Connecting, and Strengthening the Ecosystem of Black-led Change
The Ecosystem of Black-led change includes communities of people, organizations, and ideas that experience a shared environment and a common vision for Black people to thrive. We are interconnected and interdependent to achieve that vision. We support, connect, gather, and amplify the ecosystem to build power and strengthen our community.
The Collective sum
The Collective Sum is the ultimate gathering for the times we're in. The event will be held for the first time November 18-20, 2025 in Minneapolis bringing together the brightest minds to co-create bold, community-driven solutions to the challenges we face today – and envision the next ten years and beyond of social change. Over three days, this thoughtfully curated experience weaves together culture, economic power, and civic engagement for an intimate group of passionate changemakers. The Collective Sum features best-in-class practitioners, learning tracks, art and wellness activities and more.
The solutions forward are in The Collective Sum. Learn more and register now to join us.
Rooting
Rooting is an ongoing gathering series for Black people working and leading across the philanthropic, nonprofit, business, community, education, and additional sectors of the ecosystem. The space is curated for fostering connections, mentorship, relationship-building, and learning. These gatherings celebrate the greatness of our culture and provide the critical support needed for all of us to thrive in our professional lives.
Threading the Genius of Black-led Change
Threading is an annual engagement for our partners to experience the spirit and genius of Black-led Change. Leaders in racial justice philanthropy, Black-led community organizations, and businesses journey to sites across our community at the forefront of transformative work. By visiting with community partners, participants have the opportunity to meaningfully connect, expand their understanding of Black-led change, learn more about The Collective, and acknowledge the struggle that was illuminated in our community in 2020 while experiencing the progress since that pivotal year.