We offer
Financial Resources
Capital should reach the people doing the work.
MFCF provides grants and other flexible capital to help community-rooted leaders, organizations, entrepreneurs, and initiatives turn strong ideas into meaningful results.
Traditional funding systems often overlook the people closest to the challenges they are trying to solve. MFCF works to change that by moving resources with greater trust, accessibility, and community voice.
PARTNER
We Back Successful Doers
Our funding supports people and organizations improving the lives of African Americans and other historically underinvested communities across the United States.
Depending on the funding opportunity, support may include:
Grants
Flexible, non-repayable funding for charitable programs, organizational needs, community projects, emergency response, education, entrepreneurship, and other mission-aligned work.
Scholarships and Direct Assistance
Financial support that helps eligible individuals access education, training, essential resources, or opportunities that may otherwise remain out of reach.
Interest-Free and Low-Cost Loans
Repayable capital may be offered through select initiatives to eligible organizations and businesses that need an affordable pathway to launch, stabilize, or grow. Loan availability, terms, and underwriting requirements vary by program.
Community-Directed Funds
Participatory funding opportunities that give people with lived experience a meaningful role in deciding how resources should be distributed.
Vision must be resourced.
What We Support
MFCF prioritizes programs and ideas that advance:
Stronger Community Infrastructure
Organizations, projects, spaces, and systems that help communities respond to their own needs and sustain meaningful work.
Financial Sustainability and Self-Reliance
Efforts that help individuals, families, organizations, and businesses build income, assets, stability, and long-term economic power.
Education and Employment
Projects that strengthen academic success, workforce readiness, career mobility, entrepreneurship, leadership, and access to opportunity.
Mental Health and Holistic Wellness
Community-rooted approaches that support emotional, physical, spiritual, and relational well-being.
Funding priorities may vary based on the purpose and restrictions of each funding opportunity.
Who May Be Eligible?
Eligibility is determined separately for each funding opportunity. Depending on the program, applicants may include:
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Nonprofit organizations
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Fiscally sponsored projects
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Grassroots and community-based initiatives
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Small businesses and entrepreneurs
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Community leaders and individual changemakers
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Students, families, or other eligible individuals
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Collaboratives and unincorporated groups
Competitive applicants are typically community-rooted, aligned with MFCF’s mission, able to explain how funds will be used, and positioned to create a clear benefit for African Americans or other historically underinvested communities.
Applicants do not always need to have their own 501(c)(3) status. Review the requirements for the specific opportunity before applying. Projects needing an eligible charitable home may also explore MFCF Fiduciary Services.
Our Capital in Action
Detroit Love Fund
A community-rooted funding initiative designed to move resources to Detroit-area people and projects creating meaningful change with limited access to traditional philanthropy.
Black Bottom Campaign
Inspired by Detroit’s historic Black Bottom neighborhood, this campaign raised more than $10,000 with support from over 100 donors. The initiative helped Black entrepreneurs access business training and seed funding during the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Helping Hands for Everyone
MFCF mobilizes financial and community resources to respond to urgent needs, strengthen families, and support people facing barriers to traditional assistance.
