2022 Annual Report
Report Highlights
Engaging over 140 institutional members investing in asset building across the U.S.
47 learning opportunities
advancing the latest insights and strategies from the field
37 national and regional webinars and events convened
10 unique issue based research publications produced
Partnered with more than 175 thought leaders on publications and in-person, virtual, and hybrid events.
Mobilized 87 unique organizations to collaborate on 31 jointly funded initiatives
National Snapshot
2022 Grantmaker Conference
AFN’s biennial conference, Accelerating Ideas Into Action: Rebuilding a More Equitable and Anti-Racist Economy, took place in Oakland, California—home to AFN’s first regional chapter. The conference explored, discussed, and shared funding approaches designed to complement AFN’s groundbreaking research.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 200% increase in grantmaker attendees since 2012
- 3 days of programming, including 25 sessions and networking opportunities
- More than 40 speakers representing nonprofits serving communities of color
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AFN’s conference was an informative and provocative convening that brought the right voices to the right conversations for funders to be hearing and having right now.
RACHEAL MEIERS | Kaiser Permanente
Realizing Economic Justice: Confronting Racial Bias in Asset Building Philanthropy is a platform confronting and addressing racial bias in economic security and asset-building philanthropy. AFN released new tools and resources for funders to utilize in their journey toward realizing racial and economic justice.
REFLECTION CARDS
52-card deck facilitating simple reflections through questions and thought-provoking ideas to help funders deepen their understanding and center racial equity in their philanthropic investments.
Regional Highlights
Greater New York
Developed a 3-part series on Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that lifts up the role of CDFIs in reaching under-capitalized communities. The series explored opportunities to increase investment, capacity, and effectiveness of
CDFIs serving small businesses owned by people of color. Within the first three months of the pandemic, Black business ownership nationally dropped by 41%, Hispanic business ownership by 32%, Asian American ownership by 26%, and immigrant business ownership by 36%. In the region, CDFIs were essential in delivering capital and support to small businesses owned by people of color who faced far higher rates of closing during the pandemic.
North Texas
Established the Equity in Asset Building Relay Grant, a pooled fund elevating the visibility and investment of nonprofits led by people of color working on economic security issues in the region. Funders came together to create the fund in order to address the implicit bias within philanthropy that limits the amount of power and resources allocated to the work led by people of color. In addition to receiving a capacity-building grant, grantees will join the selection committee, nominating organizations to receive future funding.
