SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Central New York Community Foundation will be investing $1 million in black-led businesses. Following the death of George Floyd, there have been movements of change across the world.
A movement of change also sparked change in Central New York. According to the company’s President and CEO Peter Dunn, the grants will focus on one specific type of business.
“One of the things we are specifically interested in doing is supporting black-led non-profits, so those range from types and sizes,” Dunn said.
The Central New York Community Foundation supports this movement of change and wanted to find a way to get involved.
“What we have been learning and listening to in recent weeks, really helped motivate us to say that it is overdue for the community foundation to take action, steps, specifically supporting the black community” Dunn said.
The company has not received any applications as of yet. In the press release the company released Thursday, they urge CNY businesses to submit a letter of intent to be considered for a grant. Dunn is hopeful these grants will make a difference with local businesses in the community.
“We are not going to cure structural racism with a million dollars, but the community foundation’s goal is to make the community a place where everyone can thrive and if we are serious about that, we need to take on some of these issues. We are going into it knowing that the investment we are talking about is really a floor not a ceiling. It is the beginning of a scope of work that will last for some time,” Dunn said.
