What better way to kick-off Black History Month than sharing some Black history.
Collective 365 is the first regional grant-making organization that will be providing unrestricted grant funding to support the mental wealth, joy, and rest of Black and Brown folks in DC, MD & VA.
Yes, you read that correct, we are giving money so folks can rest and take care of themselves!
The purpose of Collective 365’s Mental Wealth, Rest, and Joy Fund is to collectively leverage the financial power from the community-at-large and distribute those funds to individuals who need assistance with accessing activities needed to help enhance their overall well-being. Activities can be, but not limited to: brief sabbaticals, co-pays for therapy, or retreats.
To kick-start this new fund, we received a $10,000 donation from the Mental Health Emergency Fund, Inc.
The Mental Health Emergency Fund, Inc. is a nonprofit based in Baltimore that increases access to mental health care by reducing financial barriers. Via their stipend program, they assist marginalized individuals in crisis who need help paying for therapy or other related services who have access to less than $1000 in savings/ an emergency fund.
With this fund, Collective 365 aspires to:
Normalize the importance of mental health, rest and joy within Black & Brown communities;
[Re] Define what mental health is and looks like within Black & Brown communities;
Establish partnerships and opportunities for mental health, rest, and joy for Black & Brown communities;
Eliminate health disparities in Black and Brown communities that are caused by stress, racism, and historical race-based traumas.
We do this by seeking dollars from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government funds.
