In 2024, ABFE surveyed our corporate philanthropic members across various industries including retail, energy, banking, insurance, and food to better understand the landscape of corporate giving to Black communities since 2020. This effort was initiated by our corporate philanthropy members and supported by our Corporate Community of Practice, a peer network where corporate leaders are empowered with the tools to champion increased advocacy and resources for Black communities. However, just months after the survey was launched, the 47th U.S. president won the 2024 election,
immediately igniting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) rollbacks from corporations and corporate philanthropy. Emboldened by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to gut affirmative action and subsequent executive orders, several major companies scaled back or abandoned the DEI commitments they had affirmed in 2020. This created a climate of fear and caution that left many corporate funders hesitant to speak publicly or participate in this effort, resulting in only eight survey participants and five focus group
respondents, all of whom wanted to remain anonymous in this report.
BFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities
Offers racial equity frameworks, training, convenings, and tools for donors