With members representing more than 20 local foundations, Bay Area Blacks in Philanthropy (BABIP) is a regional, nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to advance the interests of African Americans in philanthropy and address the impact of racial disparity within philanthropic institutions and African American communities in the Bay Area. Bringing together foundation professionals – trustees, program officers, administrative and technical staff – with corporate , governmental, and association representatives, BABIP members are a strong leadership core within the sector, and individually and collectively, add a needed black perspective to philanthropic discourse and debate. BABIP’s 60 person membership is distinguished by its executive level service to a spectrum of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations including Women in Philanthropy, Northern California Grantmakers, and Funders Concerned about AIDS.

Committed to expanding the voice and influence of African Americans in philanthropy, BABIP’s primary efforts center on:

• Increasing the number of African Americans in senior levels positions;
• Enhancing the leadership skills and abilities of its members;
• Identifying and collaborating with Black donors and philanthropists;
• Fostering understanding and investment in the complex issues facing African American communities; and
• Ensuring that systems and institutions in black communities have the capacity to be effective change agents in the neighborhoods they serve.

BABIP carries out its work in several ways:

As a Convenor, BABIP provides space and resources for cutting edge discussions, training, information sharing, and sustained dialogue around issues of significance to our members and the Black community – particularly as they relate to racism and poverty;
As a Connector, BABIP connects philanthropic professionals with board members philanthropists, government and corporate sector representatives to facilitate collaboration, learning and advocacy;
As a Catalyst, BABIP is a nexus for cross-sector thinking, and problem solving;
As a Collector, BABIP documents, assembles and disseminates lessons and knowledge on priority interests; and
As a Promoter, BABIP promotes and celebrates African American culture and heritage.

Organized a time when there was less than 25 Black professionals in mid- or senior level positions within the regional philanthropic community, BABIP believes that philanthropy is at its best when its governance, management, programs, distributions and discussions are reflective of the racial and cultural diversity endemic to the Bay Area. We believe that it is our duty to work singularly and collectively to ensure that philanthropy attains and sustains inclusiveness, transparency and accountability in all aspects of its work.

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