(Oct. 14, 2021) The Philanthropy Initiative for Racial Equality’s (PRE’s) latest report on charitable giving was recently released, and the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis is listed among the Top 20 Funders of Racial Equality Work. During the 2015-2018 period, the Community Foundation held the 20th spot on the list, alongside such entities as the United Negro College Fund, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation. In its findings for 2020, once again PRE listed the Community Foundation in the 20th spot. This time the list also includes the Ford Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies Foundation, among others. No other organization maintained the same position on the list and fewer than one 1/3 of the same organizations were on the list for both reporting periods. Community Foundation grantmaking, which in 2020 was approximately $159 million, represents the cumulative charitable giving of the individuals, families and companies that established funds at the foundation in addition to its own discretionary grant awards. “It’s an honor to be included on the list once again, especially alongside well-known and nationally recognized funders,” said Robert Fockler, president of the Community Foundation. “It is a testament to the commitment and investment of the generous donors who direct their charitable giving through our foundation.” The report focuses on actual confirmed grants awarded, not just dollars pledged by supporters. PRE’s top 20 funders accounted for 64 percent of all racial equity funding for last year. Of the total funds disbursed for racial equity, 6 percent of the $3.4 billion in awards was made by community foundations nationwide. To determine inclusion on the list, PRE considered organizations that: analyzed data about race and ethnicity, understood disparity and the reasons it exists, looked at the structural root of the problem and discussed race explicitly when talking about problems and solutions.