BLM raised $90M last year, but where is the money going?
WASHINGTON (SBG) - The Black Lives Matter organization revealed it took in over $90 million in 2020, a year marked by nationwide protests ignited by the killing of George Floyd and other black men by police. But some local chapters want to know, where is that money going?
Ten local Black Lives Matter chapters penned a letter demanding financial accountability from the Black Lives Matter Global Network.
“To the best of our knowledge, most chapters have received little to no financial support from BLMGN,” reads the letter from the BLM 10. It’s been in the “last few months that selected chapters appear to have been invited to apply for a $500,000 grant.”
Black Lives Matter organizer Marcus McDonald agrees that leadership needs to be held accountable.
“I think sometimes people look at black folks and black organizations as a monolith, and we all have our different ideas and opinions on black liberation so I think it’s just people wanting more, and we always have to hold our leadership accountable,” said McDonald.
Following the letter, the Black Lives Matter Global Network released a financial report for the first time in its 8 year history. According to the report, over $21million went to official and unofficial chapters, as well as 30 Black-led organizations, in the form of grant funding. They ended the year with a balance of over $60 million.
“I’m glad they came out with the report, as far as transparency. I was glad we were able to raise so much ... I’m looking forward to see how they use it moving forward,” said McDonald.
