Liberty Hill Foundation’s motto is “Change. Not charity.” According to their website, Liberty Hill’s targeted strategy is to enhance Black social-justice philanthropy. Barbara Osborn, communications director for Liberty Hill, says that this foundation is unique because they do not focus on simply providing social services for those in need (such as soup kitchens and food drives). Instead, Liberty Hill strives to “change society in a way that makes the need for social services [such as these] unnecessary” says Osborn.
The foundation fights towards this change by being the first to invest in a community leader’s idea to help improve a cause. Liberty Hill has a “36 year track record of investing at the front lines of change,” Osborn said, explaining how the foundation is “brave and gutsy” enough to provide the first source of funding for philanthropists. Donating the first funds to a cause, called “seed funding,” is something that Liberty Hill prides itself on and also a quality that makes this foundation different from many others.
One particular successful organization in South LA that received its first funding from Liberty Hill Foundation is the Community Coalition. Community Coalition was founded in 1989 in response to the “ravaging crack epidemic” that effected African-Americans in South LA, according to Osborn. Liberty Hill Foundation was the first to believe in the Coalition’s cause and donated the funds to help them start their organization. Community Coalition continues to fight against addiction, crime, violence and poverty and change public policy. To learn more about the Community Coalition, head to http://www.cocosouthla.org/.
On Sunday, October 9, Congresswoman and Liberty Hill Foundation board member Karen Bass will host “An Uplifting Event,” a fundraiser for the foundation’s Uplifting Change Initiative. This initiative uses a series of salons and conversations led by philanthropists and pastors to inspire local African-Americans to harness their leadership power. Individual tickets for “An Uplifting Event” are $75 and couples tickets are $100. Join Congresswoman Bass, Liberty Hill, and community members for an uplifting afternoon of food and spirits.
For more information, go to http://www.libertyhill.org/upliftingevent.
Speak Your Mind