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We honor of the Black culture’s history of creatively changing the spelling of common words, ‘AQUME’ [pronounced /ack-me/] stems from of the word ‘acme’ which means the highest point at which someone or something is best, perfect, or most successful. Black excellence is exactly what we strive for when serving our communities.
Our annual grant cycle is from July 1 - July 31st every summer, with awardees receiving payment in August which is also Black Philanthropy Month. Applications open on our website during July.
The OUR Business Grant is an annual grant of $2500 that is awarded by our Board of Trustees to (1) local for-profit entity we've identified that is also doing great work in philanthropy in addition to the for-profit aspect of the business. This is a trust-based philanthropy grant award with no application or reporting requirements.
Black philanthropy is essential for preserving Black culture, history, and community resilience. It ensures that resources are directed toward institutions, leaders, and projects that authentically represent Black experiences, voices, and traditions. Through intentional giving, Black philanthropy safeguards the stories, legacies, and achievements of Black people from being erased or whitewashed in mainstream narratives. It creates opportunities for cultural preservation, education, and economic empowerment while amplifying self-determination and agency. By investing in our own communities, Black philanthropy becomes both an act of preservation and liberation—protecting the past, empowering the present, and securing a more equitable future.
Monetary contributions help us advance our mission, however we also appreciate the following:
Follow us on social media and like/share our posts
Share your network with us, invite AQUME Foundation into new places and spaces
Invite our staff team to join you at tables for community events/conferences/trainings
Share knowledge and resources with our team
Make a personal pledge to support economic equity in our community in whatever ways are most meaningful to you!
