North Star Fund’s Giving Project is a unique six-month training program that brings together New Yorkers from a wide range of backgrounds to:
- share stories and develop a common analysis of the impact of oppression
- learn about grassroots fundraising and grantmaking through a collective power lens
- collaborate to raise money in support of Black-led grassroots organizing
The Giving Project is grounded in North Star Fund’s values and knowledge about how to responsibly and effectively raise money to resource movements. This is our sixth year of running this program, which is part of the Giving Project National Network.
Over the last five years, North Star Fund’s Giving Project participants have combined to move over $1 million in support of local grassroots organizations. Our Giving Project currently focuses on raising money to sustain the Let Us Breathe fund, which provides grants to Black-led organizing groups in the Hudson Valley and New York City.
Alumnae of the Giving Project program often stay connected and involved in the North Star Fund community by participating in North Star Fund programs to learn about Black-led organizing, joining our events to celebrate in community and continuing to donate to support grassroots organizing by North Star Fund grantees.
2023 Giving Ceremony
In February, we held a beautiful Giving Ceremony for the 2023 Giving Project Cohort participants to reflect on their intentions for the program. As part of the ceremony, we started with a jar partially filled with water to acknowledge the work that keeps us going—and to represent that we are part of a larger community and movement. As each person shared a hope and something they wanted to release and no longer carry, we added water to the jar, which represented our collective commitments and contributions, and what each person brings to the work.
Just like with pooled giving, when each person’s scoop of water was added to the jar, it combined with the rest of the water and could no longer be viewed separately, as it became part of a greater whole. Through the Giving Project, everyone’s contributions of money, time, effort, energy and care are celebrated and valued—and combine to have a greater impact.
Next Steps for Our Giving Project Program
Our 2023 Giving Project participants will complete their fundraising in early April. As we wrap up this cycle, North Star Fund plans to reflect on what we’ve learned from six years of our Giving Project. We are looking forward to engaging with our Giving Project alumnae about their experiences and how they’ve learned alongside us as our program and curriculum have evolved over time.