GREENWOOD Dist. — MacKenzie Scott’s philanthropic initiative, Yield Giving, has named the Terence Crutcher Foundation as one of the recipients of its Open Call grant program. The North Tulsa-based grassroots organization, dedicated to supporting communities facing the most significant challenges in Tulsa and across the US, has been awarded $2 million from Yield Giving.

In March 2023, Yield Giving initiated an Open Call targeting community-centric organizations dedicated to empowering individuals and families to attain significant enhancements in their well-being through essential resources.

The Terence Crutcher Foundation, dedicated to fostering equitable and empowering communities devoid of violence and oppression, answered that call — applying.

An Unexpected Surprise for a Grassroots Organization

The Open Call garnered 6,353 applications and initially aimed for 250 awards. By the Fall of 2023, organizations highly regarded by their peers progressed to a subsequent evaluation stage conducted by an external Evaluation Panel with relevant expertise. Among these organizations was the Terence Crutcher Foundation, aiming to secure one of the coveted 250 grants valued at $1 million each.

On the day the Terence Crutcher Foundation learned it had been granted the funds, Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, the foundation’s founder, and Executive Director, and Deputy Director Sheyda Brown were pleasantly surprised to find out that an additional $1 million had been awarded to their organization. This brought the total amount of unrestricted funding to $2 million.

Deputy Director Brown recounts the moment she and Dr. Crutcher stumbled upon the uplifting news. “We were elated, shocked, excited, and overwhelmed. We hugged and cried,” Brown shared excitedly with The Black Wall Street Times.

Dr. Crutcher expressed her emotions as she witnessed the culmination of years of relentless advocacy and community engagement since she founded the organization back in 2017 following the officer-involved shooting of her unarmed brother, Terence Crutcher, for whom the organization is named.

“This gift is a huge reminder that unspeakable good comes from unspeakable tragedy. Today, as I witness the culmination of seven years of tireless advocacy and community engagement, Terence’s last words stating that God will get the glory out of his life are manifesting right before my eyes,” Dr. Tiffany Crutcher shared in a release.  

Why Unrestricted Founding Matters to Black-Founded and Black-Led Organizations

Unrestricted funding allows organizations to have autonomy over how they allocate resources. This flexibility is essential for addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by Black communities like the one the Terence Crutcher Foundation serves. It enables Black-led organizations to respond quickly to emerging issues, adapt strategies as needed, and invest in long-term sustainability.

Last year, the Terence Crutcher Foundation secured North Pointe in North Tulsa for $1.7 million, aiming to rejuvenate it into the vibrant community center it once thrived decades ago. Moreover, the area of North Pointe, primarily inhabited by Black residents, bears the scars of one of the worst racial atrocities in American history – the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Over 300 Black Greenwood District inhabitants lost their lives, 10,000 were uprooted, and the entire residential and business district was razed to the ground. Even a century later, the community continues to grapple with the profound impacts of that violence.

Brown stated their intention to allocate a portion of the unrestricted funding towards realizing the Foundation’s vision for North Pointe and implementing future programming aimed at positively impacting the community that surrounds it.

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Who is MacKenzie Scott?

MacKenzie Scott is an American novelist, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the wealthiest individuals globally. Scott became one of the richest women in the world due to the significant settlement she received from her former husband Jeff Bezos. She has since gained attention for her substantial philanthropic efforts, focusing on issues such as education, racial equity, and economic mobility.

Scott has pledged to donate a significant portion of her wealth to various charitable causes, often prioritizing organizations led by and serving marginalized communities.

Celebrating Community Strength and Trust-Based Philanthropy

“This grant is more than just a financial boost; It’s a testament to the resilience of my family, our foundation, and the spirit of the Historic Greenwood and Black Wall Street community. This process has truly embodied trust-based philanthropy and will help our organization build the community power necessary to fulfill our long-term vision,” Dr. Crutcher stated.

The partnership between the Terence Crutcher Foundation, Yield Giving, and MacKenzie Scott grantors exemplifies trust-based philanthropy, resonating with transformative organizations that often remain unnoticed.

“We are excited that our partnership with Yield Giving has resonated with so many organizations,” said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change. “In a world teeming with potential and talent, the Open Call has given us an opportunity to identify, uplift, and empower transformative organizations that often remain unseen.”

“For the first time in a long time, I feel seen,” Dr. Crutcher expressed with The Black Wall Street Times.