Nonprofit organizations you need to check out for Juneteenth
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an important holiday in the United States commemorating the end of slavery. This day marks the end of historical discrimination and highlights the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality. Nonprofits have been at the forefront of this struggle, dedicating themselves to working against racial inequality and systemic racism. As we observe Juneteenth, it's vital to recognize and support the critical work that black nonprofit organizations and charities do to advance social justice. All the nonprofits and charities listed below are Goodera-vetted organizations that work with us year-round to power social impact for 400+ global enterprises.
Top 10 Black nonprofit organizations to partner with in 2023
- Africa Yoga Project
The Africa Yoga Project (AYP) aims to educate, empower, elevate, and increase the employability of African youth through yoga. By providing transformational yoga classes, AYP creates opportunities for young people to become self-sufficient leaders. AYP has impacted over 6,000 individuals through 360 community yoga classes taught by teachers from 21 African countries. Additionally, AYP has trained more than 400 young people as yoga teachers who are earning by teaching yoga to underserved populations. Weekly community yoga classes at the AYP center in Nairobi bring together over 350 people from diverse backgrounds.
- School of HipHop
The School of HipHop is a creative arts movement dedicated to revitalizing communities and empowering minority youth by breaking down barriers to art education and cultural enrichment. They focus on providing access to music, dance, and culture for minority groups, specifically black people who may not have easy access. Their goal is to create a space for young people to receive arts education and expand their opportunities for upward mobility.
- Project DIVA International
Project DIVA International empowers young Black girls by helping them align with their life vision, providing academic and career support, and national and international experiences. This Black nonprofit organization offers historical and cultural context to development, giving Black girls a place to affirm their ethnic identity. Project DIVA has helped girls, parents, and community supporters break free from multi-generational impoverishment thought cycles throughout Minnesota.
Their approach includes personal and professional self-discovery academies, expert-facilitated virtual sessions, group coaching, and travel opportunities. Project DIVA's consistent programming, mindset shifts, and opportunities have led to a less than 1% teen pregnancy rate, a 100% school year completion rate, a 99% graduation rate, and a 94% increase in economic literacy since 2007.
- Comer Education Campus
The Comer Education Campus, located in Chicago's Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood, is an acclaimed youth-serving organization that includes the Gary Comer Youth Center, Gary Comer College Prep, and Gary Comer Middle School. The campus offers programming in academics, enrichment, and college and career preparation for 2,000 youth annually from 72 Chicago-area schools.
In the 2020 school year, 90% of youth members reported positive attitudes toward learning and academic success. Additionally, their Green Teens program has successfully trained over 1,000 teens in green careers, STEM disciplines, and environmental science. The campus has earned national recognition for its unique approach to youth development.
- African Community Economic Development of New England (ACEDONE)
ACEDONE is committed to helping African refugees and immigrants develop a self-sufficient and thriving community by providing education and life experience to the youth. Their mission is to promote social, professional, and economic growth. In February 2023, Rep Ayanna Pressley visited ACEDONE to deliver $640,003 in federal community project funding to establish an equitable and just economic recovery from the pandemic. This funding will assist ACEDONE in advancing its mission and supporting its efforts to empower African refugees and immigrants in Boston to achieve self-sufficiency, build community, and thrive economically.
- East Harlem Tutorial Program
East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) began in 1958 as a volunteer-run reading group in a community leader's living room. Today, EHTP has evolved into a comprehensive educational program serving Pre-K to college students through after-school and summer programs for traditional public school students. EHTP operates a network of Pre-K - 12th-grade public charter schools in East Harlem, offering after-school programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. They also support college scholars and a teaching residency program to support new teachers from their communities.
EHTP is constructing a 70,000-square-foot state-of-the-art high school with STEM labs, art and music rooms, a gym, an auditorium, and an event space open to the community. EHTP has been recognized as a leader in advancing educational outcomes and promoting racial equity.
- Stillman College
As a nonprofit charity liberal arts college, Stillman College provides a space for students to prepare academically, socially, and spiritually for leadership in a complex and diverse society. Their student-to-faculty ratio of 10/1 has proven that the college is committed to sustaining a learning community that fosters growth and development. Stillman also has a rich history of providing quality education to African American students. They are devoted to providing practical opportunities for students to succeed and thrive.
- Queens Community House
Queens Community House (QCH) is a settlement house that offers comprehensive services to residents of all ages, races, faiths, and ethnicities in the diverse neighborhoods of Queens. QCH was established in 1975 to promote healing in a neighborhood that had experienced conflict. Over the years, QCH has expanded its reach to encompass 39 sites across 15 neighborhoods, providing a broad network of programs and services that impact individuals, families, and communities.
Their programs are organized based on the populations served, including Children and Youth, Young Adults, Adults and Families, and Older Adults, and they positively impact the lives of thousands of Queens residents daily.
- The Link
Founded in 1991 by former Minnesota Vikings players Jim Marshall and Oscar Reed, The Link aims to help at-risk youth who struggle with poverty, homelessness, and criminal activity. The organization's philosophy of doing "whatever it takes" to support young people in the community has helped them serve over 2,000 youth and young families ages 10-24 through 28 programs.
The Link provides supportive housing, intensive case management services, and skills development to those at risk of homelessness, sex trafficking, and/or involvement in the juvenile justice system. The organization is dedicated to expanding its vision and empowering more young people daily.
- Johnson STEM
Johnson STEM is dedicated to inspiring and preparing young minds to become the next generation of innovative leaders in STEM fields. Their students are driven towards success, with nearly all going on to attend college and pursue careers in STEM. In 2014, the organization donated space to robotics teams to design and build their robots. The program grew in popularity, and by 2016, approximately 2,000 students participated in robotics at their 20,000-square-foot facility. The center was officially named the Johnson STEM Activity Center, becoming a non-profit entity.
By 2018, over 8,000 students utilized the center, with over 10,000 participating after the addition of an ultra-modern computer lab in 2019. They continue to support young children from diverse backgrounds.
Wrapping it up
While Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, it is also an opportunity for organizations to ensure their DEI goals improve access and advancement of Black communities. To make Juneteenth and other cultural holidays meaningful in the workplace, we encourage organizations to explore our Juneteenth volunteer opportunities. Goodera executes tailored volunteer programs for 50 of the world’s Fortune 500 businesses across 50+ cause areas. Our designed-for-impact employee activities are available in 20+ languages across 100+ countries.
This list is not exhaustive, and we'd love to amplify nonprofit voices and connect them to corporate volunteers who want to create meaningful impact.
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