The Waterbury Black Giving Circle (WBGC) proudly celebrates its second year by announcing the recipients of its inaugural grant awards. A total of $16,500 has been awarded to local, Black-led nonprofit organizations that serve and uplift the Black community in Waterbury.

The WBGC builds on this tradition and aims to foster a culture of philanthropy within the local Black community. The Circle is dedicated to enhancing the capacity and long-term financial sustainability of Black-led nonprofits, while actively addressing the most urgent needs faced by the Black community in Waterbury.

“The Waterbury Black Giving Circle is not only about sowing but also reaping the benefits. We have reaped the benefits of mighty ancestors who persevered and fought unimaginable indecency, evil, violence, and debasement. They have instilled in us their fight, their humanity, their dignity, their strength, their love, and their faith. And now, it is high time that we also start sowing into the next generation and in our community—hence the creation of the Black Giving Circle,” said Kathy Taylor, founding member of the Waterbury Black Giving Circle. “Through our first-ever grants, the Circle recognizes and supports four organizations, doing good work in our community — supporting our women, supporting our youth, supporting our babies, supporting our businesses, supporting our men, and supporting each other!”

The Waterbury Black Giving Circle’s 2023 grants include the following:

  • Bridge to Success was awarded $2,500, in partnership with Black Women United, and Helping Hands, Inc., to address the increasing long-term impact of the allostatic load on Black women resulting in high rates of morbidity, especially among those dealing with major life transitions and diagnosed with different forms of cancer. Allostatic load refers to the cumulative burden of chronic stress; a lifetime of adverse physiologic impact of needing to adjust to socially structured stressors such as social and economic inequities. AL has been shown to increase health vulnerability and worsen outcomes in marginalized populations.
  • North End Coop was awarded $6,000 to launch a fall harvest festival that will introduce the food co-op to the community by launching a membership drive, connecting with local businesses, and providing resources to families.
  • Waterbury Strong was awarded $3,000, to support the Waterbury Black Business Network with funding for speakers, venues, and other expenses.
  • Women’s Choice Charitable Association—which offers doula services and other assistance related to pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care, and breastfeeding, with a particular focus on promoting positive outcomes for Black birthers—was awarded $5,000, to support its work.

About the Waterbury Black Giving Circle
Established in 2021, the Waterbury Black Giving Circle (WBGC) is a network of individuals who come together and pool their collective charitable dollars to have greater impact and make a difference in the Black community. Members may join any time and make tax-deductible contributions to the fund each year. Membership runs from January 1 through December 31 of each year. An annual minimum contribution of $365—a dollar a day—is required to vote on grants. WBGC partners with Connecticut Community Foundation to administer the fund. To join or to learn more about the Waterbury Black Giving Circle, visit: https://conncf.org/waterbury-black-giving-circle/