SMALL INVESTMENTS. GENERATIONAL IMPACT.
The Hoperah Fund invests in people and in the field of economic agency. It supports practical movement—education, ownership, business growth, professional development, community initiatives, and the people and organizations building what comes next.
Our Granting Story
The name Hoperah grew from a nickname given to Kenya McKnight-Ahad by people who experienced her not only as a source of hope and encouragement, but as someone who made practical investments in their lives.
BWWA’s formal community grantmaking began in 2016 through a partnership with MicroGrants, then led by Executive Director Don Samuels. What began with six awards grew into dozens of flexible $1,000 grants each year. By 2020, BWWA had also secured resources to make larger grants—sometimes $20,000 or more—to businesses, organizations, and community initiatives. Small grants removed immediate barriers. Larger investments helped enterprises and organizations stabilize, grow, and create opportunity for others.
When the MicroGrants partnership structure changed in 2023, BWWA’s giving did not stop. BWWA continued making grants, providing participant assistance, sponsoring people and community efforts, and investing directly in needs within and beyond its programs. What changed was the scale, predictability, and breadth of public grantmaking. The Hoperah Fund creates a permanent home for that tradition.
A Grantmaking Legacy
BWWA’s formal community grantmaking began in 2016 through a partnership with MicroGrants, then led by Executive Director Don Samuels. BWWA became one of MicroGrants’ largest community partners. The partnership began with six awards and grew to 15, then 30, then 50 or more grants in later years. In some years, BWWA helped distribute as much as $100,000 through flexible $1,000 grants—reaching people who often needed one timely investment to keep moving.
MicroGrants traditionally focused on employment, education, and transportation. BWWA expanded the categories to include business development and other barriers to wealth. Grants helped people address needs such as taxes, banking, certifications, equipment, transportation, education, business expenses, and other concrete costs that could interrupt progress. BWWA also developed community-centered grantmaking protocols that informed the broader process. The Hoperah Fund carries forward BWWA’s broader philanthropic legacy. Across its twelve years of work, BWWA has facilitated more than $3 million in grants, leveraged loans, and capital support through community partnerships, direct grantmaking, participant investments, sponsorships, and larger business and organizational awards.
A Funding Continuum
By 2020, BWWA had secured additional resources and began making larger grants from its own funds—sometimes $20,000 or more—to businesses, organizations, and community initiatives. The two approaches worked together: small, flexible grants removed immediate barriers, while larger investments helped enterprises and organizations stabilize, grow, and deepen their impact.
Our Giving Never Stopped
When the MicroGrants partnership structure changed in 2023, BWWA’s philanthropy did not end. BWWA continued making grants, providing participant assistance, sponsoring people and community efforts, and investing directly in needs both within and beyond its programs. What changed was the scale, predictability, and breadth of the public grantmaking.
The Hoperah Fund creates a permanent home for that tradition and restores the broader, recurring reach that became one of BWWA’s most recognized and joyful contributions.
The Lesson We Carry Forward
A timely $1,000 grant can remove the barrier standing between a person and their next opportunity. A larger investment can help a business or organization build something that creates opportunity for many others.
Help Carry the Legacy Forward
For more than a decade, BWWA has facilitated over $3 million in grants, leveraged loans, and other capital support. The Hoperah Fund gives that philanthropic legacy a permanent home—and creates a path for the work to continue across generations.
Your contribution helps restore recurring grant cycles, remove timely barriers for individuals, invest in community-rooted organizations and initiatives, and advance economic-agency research, public tools, and charitable work.
A timely investment can change a life. A sustained investment can help build what outlives us.
Donate Now
Make an immediate charitable gift to the Hoperah Fund
Direct Support to BWWA
BWWA also accepts direct support by ACH, credit card, Apple Pay, Cash App, or check. These contributions support BWWA’s operations, research, programs, and initiatives.
“BWWA is not a 501(c)(3)- yet we are fiscally sponsored, so gifts made directly to BWWA are generally not tax-deductible. Donors seeking a charitable receipt should make their gift directly to the Hoperah Fund through Thrivent Charitable, a public charity and separate legal entity from Thrivent.”
Plan a Gift
Thrivent Charitable offers immediate, future, and income-producing charitable-giving strategies. Gifts may qualify for a charitable deduction depending on the donor’s circumstances.
Create a lasting legacy through gifts such as:
Stocks and mutual funds
Real estate and other eligible assets
Retirement assets and qualified charitable distributions
Life insurance and beneficiary designations
A bequest through a will or living trust
Cryptocurrency
Charitable gift annuities
Charitable remainder trusts
Planned-Giving Contact
Cindy Aegerter, CFRE
Manager, Charitable Giving Services
Thrivent Charitable™
800-365-4172
You may also contact:
Black Women’s Wealth Alliance
info@bwwa-us.com
