Where to Donate to Support Small Businesses Damaged During Protests
Photo from KCBS
Let me begin by saying that, if you’ve posted on social media about how upset you are at the looting that has happened, but you haven’t publicly expressed anything about the injustice of George Floyd being murdered by the people who have sworn to “protect and serve” him, you should take a step back and think about your priorities.
Seriously, take a moment to think about that.
Then realize that’s at the heart of why people are protesting. Black Lives Matter more than property, but have never been treated that way.
There’s also this to think about:
That said, it’s awful that small businesses are being vandalized, looted, and destroyed. I could give a fuck about large corporations, but people put a lifetime of love, time, money, and hard work into their small businesses and it’s terrible to see that ruined. I am 100% in support of the protesters and we have list of places people can donate to bail them out of jail right here. But I am also 100% in support of the small businesses who are being impacted. While they all have insurance (other than the cannabis dispensaries because of the federal government’s bullshit) it may take a very long time until the insurance companies pay these small businesses out. So here’s a list of places you can donate to help these small businesses recuperate.
We will be updating this list, so please leave comments below on any additional organizations that can be added.
Bay Area
Oakland Indie Alliance: “Founded in 2014, the Oakland Indie Alliance (OIA) is a community of more than 300 small-scale entrepreneurs who have united under a common goal of preserving Oakland’s variety, energy, and social fabric.” They’ve set up a fund a repair fund to help the businesses that have been damaged. You can donate right here.
Oakland Black Business Damage Fund: This fund was started just a day ago and has already raised over $23k at the time of publication. It’s set up by Elisse Douglass who, according to her LinkedIn works in “Acquisition, development and asset management of retail, residential and office in Uptown Oakland”. It seems she’s working with Oakland community members and organizers to equitably distribute the funds. You can donate right here.
Help Oakland POC Owned Small Biz Get Cleaned Up: This is a GoFundMe also started a day ago that’s trying to do exactly what the name says it is. Today (6/1) they are cleaning up Downtown Oakland and they’ve said “Oakland Downtown Ambassadors will help guide & coordinate. The Town Experience is contacting and coordinating with small businesses in most need.” You can donate right here.
Other Places
Many of these are coming from this article in InsideHook:
Neighbors United Funding Collective: Organized by the Hamline Midway Coalition in St. Paul, Minnesota, the NUFC is raising money to rebuild storefronts in one of the hardest-hit neighborhoods.
Northside Funders Group: In partnership with the Minneapolis Foundation, the Northside Funders Group is raising money specifically for businesses that have been affected by demonstrations in North Minneapolis, a predominantly black neighborhood that often doesn’t get the same spotlight as other areas of the city.
Midtown Global Market Mend: A cultural center in the heart of Minneapolis home to 45 small businesses, which has also been a center of donations and clean-up efforts, is seeking donations in order to repair the building and rebuild small businesses in the greater community.
Dallas Businesses Thread: A list of funds helping black-owned and POC-owned businesses that were damaged by the riots in Dallas.
Migizi Communication: Donate directly to Migizi, a non-profit, Native youth organization that was burned in Minneapolis.
Black-Owned Business Thread: A list of black-owned businesses that have been affected by the protests.
La Mesa Business Disaster Recovery: “All proceeds will go directly to small businesses that were destroyed or damaged. The Chamber Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been helping East County for over 26 years.” You can Donate right here.
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