CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Belk officials say they are donating $75,000 to three local nonprofits that are improving social and economic mobility in underserved and marginalized communities.
Belk will donate $25,000 each to the Freedom School Partners of Charlotte, The Young Black Leadership Alliance, and The Charlotte Mecklenburg Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund, according to a news release.
Belk says they are are making these donations in honor of Black Philanthropy Month and #CLTGivesBack as part of their larger efforts to give back to the community through “Project Hometown.”
“Belk has a 130-year legacy of supporting the community,” says Belk CEO Lisa Harper. “Giving to Black-led and Black-benefitting organizations that lift up the children in Charlotte is a critical step in making an impact.”
Freedom School Partners of Charlotte say they are committed to closing the academic gap between lower and higher income students, and they will use the donation to help children and young adults virtually learn amidst the pandemic.
“We are so excited to partner with Belk and are immensely thankful for the financial contribution. This gift will enable us to have college student interns, along with serving more than 1,000 scholars with books, a curriculum that reflects diverse cultural images and history and enrichment activities. This donation will help our work continue, eliminating summer learning loss,” says Freedom School Partners Chief Development Officer Nikki Keith.
The Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA) says they are a nonprofit dedicated to educating and developing young leaders in the community.
“YBLA thanks Belk for demonstrating a sincere interest in and concern for the future of our young Black men and women. This donation will help fund our college readiness program and assist underserved students as they prepare for, identify, and select colleges that best serve them academically, socially and financially, making for stronger leaders and a strong Charlotte. We look forward to future opportunities for our young leaders to interact with and learn from talented Belk professionals!” says YBLA Co-Founder and Executive Vice President Tammy Martin.
Belk also says they are committed to helping families get stable access to the internet, as students continue to learn remotely, with their final $25,000 donation to the CMS Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Belk has also given 10,000 masks to CMS teachers, administrators, and students as well as an additional $8,000 raised by their partners, according to a news release.
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