In late 2003 conversations took a journey through the Deep South, summoning young African Americans to share how they distributed their time, talent, and treasure into their communities. How befitting that Birmingham, deeply rooted in the rich soil of African American history, served as host to one of these gatherings. Those conversations lifted for remembrance the legacy of giving in the African American community and served to inspire in some and affirm in others the notion that we are philanthropists.

These conversations were initiated and led by Darryl Lester of Hindsight Consulting with the support of his sponsor and mentor, Linetta Gilbert of Ford Foundation. Gilbert brought her knack for listening to the hearts of others, for building conversations around needs and resources, and empowering others to use the tools they possessed to build the lives they desired. Likewise, Lester knew what questions to ask to expose the heart of change; having a keen ear for helping create roads on which others could journey towards their dreams.  But, with their inspiration and affirmation came a challenge to Birmingham. How will we – African Americans – collectively and intentionally combine our resources to create opportunities to improve Birmingham? How will we take our heritage of giving and transfer it to an unfamiliar incubator for growth: organized institutional philanthropy? With guidance and support from Hindsight Consulting, the group chose to pool and invest resources by way of a newly presented concept called a giving circle. Convinced, committed, and curious about what impact a collective group of like minded social philanthropic investors could make, the newly formed group moved deliberately to organize as a giving circle.

After adopting the name Birmingham Change Fund (BCF) and researching financial options for the circle, BCF chose to develop a donor advised fund with the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. In May 2004, the Birmingham Change Fund officially began its relationship with the Community Foundation with individual investments from 21 founding members.

In preparation for the journey ahead, BCF embarked on a period of intense internal education. We researched issues ranging from national to local and presented facts and figures to the members as a whole. A culmination of this education prompted the group to endorse a Theory of Change that had 3 focus areas: Education, Healthcare and Economics. The first investments in Birmingham by BCF included 4 grants and totaled $10,000 in July 2005.

BCF developed simultaneously with a sister fund in Raleigh, NC. NGAAP, the Next Generation of African Americans in Philanthropy, and together the two giving circles were instrumental in developing the Community Investment Network. With technical assistance from HindSight Consulting, the Community Investment Network now boasts more than 10 giving circles across the nation.

Since its inception BCF has invested both influence and resources throughout Birmingham in several ways.  Members have been involved in grantee organizations’ boards in attempts to aid in capacity building. A partnership with the Children’s Hospital Foundation created the Annual Party with a Purpose in November on National Philanthropy Day. Proceeds have been invested in AIDS research and Sickle Cell Disease research for children. BCF has also sponsored and presented at the Financial Discovery Forum, an annual conference aimed at providing financial empowerment techniques and theory to individuals, and in 2008, sponsored a reception at the AG Gaston Economic Development Summit to encourage young professional engagement. With 7 years of experiential learning under our belt, dynamic members, and a joint vision to propel our city forward, BCF stands ready as a “small group of thoughtful, committed citizens”¹ to change our world. Join us!

¹"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~ Margaret Mead