Feel Good Friday - Akonadi Foundation

As the celebration for Black History Month continues, let’s learn about an organization working towards a racially just Oakland, Akonadi Foundation.

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Oakland, California, the mission of  Akonadi Foundation is “to support the development of powerful social change movements to eliminate structural racism.” They do this by investing in racial justice organizing and policy advocacy that will lead to enduring systems change. 

A majority of grants awarded by Akonadi Foundation are focused on ending the criminalization of Black youth and youth of color in Oakland and Alameda County. Currently, there are two funds the Foundation supports.

The So Love Can Win Fund provides general support grants of $10,000 to Oakland’s “organizers, storytellers, culture bearers, and healers who seek to ignite and implement a radical collective vision of freedom and racial justice.” In 2024, the Foundation awarded $500,000 to 49 initiatives and organizations. Examples of recipients include Arab Resource and Organizing Center, West Oakland Mural Project and the Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District.

The goal of the  All in for Oakland fund is to end the criminalization of Black youth and youth of color. Over the next five years, Akonadi Foundation will invest $12.5 million in partners who prioritize movement building and organizing, research, organizational capacity and policy advocacy.

Since they began, the Foundation has given over 1,900 grants totaling $43 million to nonprofit organizations that have centered power-building and organizing to fuel a racial justice movement. 

In addition to these funds, Akonadi Foundation runs a program called We Love Oakland which celebrates the vibrant and joyful culture, relationships, and activism that can be found in The Town. There are short videos you can watch where residents explain how Oakland’s history and culture inspires their work. You can also read letters from community leaders and post your own story of why you love Oakland.

If you’d like to see a community where young people of color have the support systems they need to thrive, spread the word about Akonadi Foundation. Read their blog, follow them on Facebook or Instagram, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.