1. What does the Black United Fund of Illinois (BUFI) Inc. do?

The Black United Fund of Illinois provides the mechanisms by which grass roots organizations can become or remain self-sustaining. We do this by encouraging Black philanthropy; in other words, Black people contributing their money, time, and skills to help each other enhance the quality of life in Illinois communities.

The National Black United Fund, was founded in 1972 on the principles of self-help, mutual aid and volunteerism in order to create mechanisms by which Black people could pool their resources. It is the outgrowth of the Brotherhood Crusade which was organized in 1968 to help rebuild communities after the riots that plagued America during that time. BUFI is the 16th of 23 independent affiliates of National.

2. What are the mechanisms you speak of?

One major mechanism for access to donations is the PAYROLL DEDUCTION program in the workplace. It has proven to be the most efficient way by which working people can donate to BUFI and its affiliates. All the employee has to do is put the Black United Fund of Illinois designated number on their payroll deduction forms and enter the amount they want deducted from their checks weekly, monthly or annually. It's easy, it's painless and it's cost effective in that the employer's program will send the money to BUFI in a check representing the total collected from all the employees who designated BUFI. An employer can also donate if they have a MATCHING GIFT program by which they match any donation an employee makes.

Another mechanism to assist organizations is through TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. The Black United Fund counsels not-for-profit organizations in order to ensure that they are in a position to receive funding from other sources. BUFI provides expert information to these service agencies so that their paperwork is in order. BUFI also provides access to business equipment and other experts so that the agencies might focus on their business or service rather than on how they're going to pay for computers, copiers and otherwise.

3. What is an affiliate?

An affiliate is an organization that is listed under the Black United Fund of Illinois, Inc. umbrella in payroll deduction programs in the workplace. These organizations have proven the ability to enhance the quality of life in our communities by consistantly providing services that strengthen our families, individuals, and youth.

There are currently 33 affiliates under our umbrella who are exposed to thousands more potential contributors than they could reach on their own. We have watched them grow tremendously through money donated by this payroll deduction mechanism.

4. Who else do you fund?

Since 1986, the Black United Fund of Illinois has assisted over 450 other grassroots organizations and programs. These programs provide services in the areas of arts & culture, health & human services, education & service to youth, homeless & emergency needs, social justice, legal services, and economic development.

To be considered for funding, a program must write BUFI for our funding guidelines. Those guidelines include our request for narrative regarding the program, documentation of tax status, organizational structure and budget proposals. We review all applications for funding, verify documentation, conduct site visits, and then submit them to the full 19-member board of directors for a decision. BUFI does not fund political campaigns, religious agendas, nor individuals.

5. What has BUFI done in the area of economic development?

The Black United Fund of Illinois tries to assist by example and as such has moved from renting space to the purchase of a headquarters building. Setting the example of ownership, this building rents space to emerging small businesses and services. BUFI keeps tenant overhead low by charging below market rent and providing access to meeting space and business equipment that they would otherwise need to purchase individually. The meeting space is also available to any community group.

BUFI is also a founding member of the South Shore Chamber, Inc., an organization made up of local businesses concerned with the economic and physical growth of the neighborhood.

Another example of economic development is our affiliate, Shorebank Neighborhood Institute, which is training teenagers to be the next wave of African American entrepreneurs. The students are recommended by their schools, churches and are also accepted off the street. They are taught concepts of merchandising their products from creating design, to costing a job, production, and distribution. They are also paid for their involvement. This is an example of a not-for-profit organization producing for-profit product, our youth as businessmen and businesswomen.

There are many more examples of involvement in economic development. It is our intent to be able, somewhere down the road of our evolution, to assist for-profit businesses with seed money but at this time we are only able to assist not-for-profits.

6. I'm retired and can't contribute through payroll deduction. How can I help?

There are several other ways to contribute to the Black United Fund:

a) Financially - individual direct donation of money, stocks or real estate - an endowment through a will, annuity, trust or planned gift

b) In kind - a donation of goods, services, ideas and skills.

c) Volunteer - our affiliates and we need helping hands from time to time, when we: sponsor special events, do mass mailings and make presentations to groups.

d) Foundation - BUFI can help set up your foundation and administer your donations, easing your workload and making sure your money is distributed as you wish. You will be able to continue giving to your favorite charities even after you're gone.

7. What makes BUFI different from any other foundation or fund?

In addition to the technical assistance, the Black United Fund of Illinois, Inc. tries to help grassroots organizations that find it difficult to secure funding from other sources. BUFI is also a very hands on organization that stays with the grantee, monitoring its progress and helping it stay on track.

BUFI also networks a number of organizations and donors, keeping them abreast of what the other is doing and matching those with specific needs to those who can provide specific services or grants.

The Black United Fund of Illinois can also act as fiscal sponsor for short term emergency or contingency funds, such as those set aside for Girl X, Lenard Clark and Kwame Ture.

8. How else can we help?

By spreading the word about the Black United Fund of Illinois. Just let people know that there is an organization:

• that exists to help our people help each other;
• where we can collectively and proudly take care of our communities;
• through which we can help enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods;
• where we can set examples of self sufficiency and mutual aid; and,
• where we can give back, helping others as we were helped.

The Black United Fund of Illinois, Inc. is a 501C 3 federated organization and all donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.