Original article here
Author: Maria Villalba Gomez
As a proud member of the Pledge 1% movement, Braze has committed to contribute 1% of its outstanding equity (as of 2021) over ten years to uplift charitable organizations through the Braze for Social Impact Fund at Tides Foundation. This commitment reflects our deep dedication to amplifying employee passions, investing in our communities, and driving science-based climate solutions. That’s why, for the second consecutive year, our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have played a pivotal role in guiding our philanthropic endeavors. These ERGs, formed by employees with shared experiences, interests, or backgrounds, have been instrumental in directing a significant portion of our Social Impact Fund. By harnessing the collective expertise and enthusiasm of our diverse workforce, we ensure that our charitable contributions directly serve and resonate with the communities our employees care about.
In the second year of the Braze ERG Grant Program, our ten ERGs have allocated $300,000 in unrestricted grants to over 36 impactful nonprofits and charities worldwide since August 2023. These organizations, chosen by each ERG to reflect their values, address a broad spectrum of needs, from providing immediate support and essential services to advocating for systemic change. By supporting organizations that empower underrepresented and marginalized communities, our ERGs honor their shared experiences and interests, driving tangible and positive change across the global communities they passionately support.
“Pride@ Braze chose to support the Ali Forney Center, Galop, the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, and 56 Dean Street because of their unwavering commitment to advocating for and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. These organizations are at the forefront of providing essential services, legal assistance, and healthcare to those in need, both domestically and internationally. Our inclusive choice reflects Pride@Braze's dedication to global equality and resilience, embodying our shared values. By supporting these organizations, we aim to make a tangible impact and contribute to the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ rights and well-being worldwide. It's an honor to be able to contribute to these remarkable organizations as they continue to make a difference and positive impact within our communities.”
—Hannah Collins, Pride@Braze President
For a comprehensive list of this year’s grant recipients, please see below:
2024 ERG Grants
Asians@Braze:
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Asian Mental Health Collective works to make mental health easily available, approachable, and accessible to Asian communities worldwide.
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Chinatown Health aims to improve access to quality health care for underserved Asian Americans and other vulnerable populations by supporting community-based health care services.
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Japanese American National Museum promotes understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience.
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Stand with Asian Americans supports Asian American communities through organizing and empowerment efforts.
Black@Braze:
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Black Girl Ventures Foundation aims to provide underrepresented woman-identifying founders with access to community, capital, and capacity-building in order to meet business milestones that lead to economic advancement through entrepreneurship.
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National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) supports Black individuals, families, and communities in strengthening the bonds and bridging the gaps between the movements for racial justice and LGBTQ+/SGL equity.
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The Fifteen Percent Pledge is a call to action for major retailers and corporations to join in creating sustainable and supportive ecosystems for Black-owned businesses to succeed. They work with companies to comprehensively re-evaluate their organizational structures, ways of working, funding, and resourcing in order to implement meaningful change and create greater equity for Black businesses.
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PRINCESS Foundation provides mentoring and empowerment programs for high school females in New Jersey. Their primary purpose is to address the unmet challenges faced by young women, guiding them toward success and empowerment.
Brown@Braze:
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IKWRO provides advice and support to Middle Eastern, North African, and Afghan women and girls living in the UK who have experienced or are at risk of all forms of “honor” based abuse, including: Forced marriage, child marriage, and female genital mutilation, or domestic abuse by offering free advice, advocacy, and counseling services.
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Udavum Karangal (Helping Hands) has the sole objective to serve people in need. The center provides individualized services including treatment, care, rehabilitation, and education.
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Sewa International specializes in disaster relief and rehabilitation. Their development programs focus on family services; child, tribal, and refugee welfare; women empowerment; health; and education.
Elle@Braze:
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Dress for Success empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
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Girls Who Code works to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does through coding clubs, summer programs, and college and career programs.
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Ipas works globally to advance reproductive justice by expanding access to abortion and contraception.
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Seeds of Fortune is a scholars program and ed tech platform creating the next generation of financially empowered young women of color. They help them apply for college scholarships and teach career, financial, and management skills.
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World Central Kitchen is first on the frontlines, providing meals to communities impacted by natural disasters and during prolonged humanitarian crises, such as the war in Ukraine.
Healthy Minds@Braze:
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Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a suicide prevention movement that provides free and confidential helpline and webchat for those who need to talk, among many other community and campaign services.
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Jaya Mental Health aims to equip healthcare professionals and local people with the resources needed to cope with mental illness in South Asia.
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The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
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To Write Love On Her Arms is dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.
Jews@Braze:
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The Holocaust Educational Trust works to ensure that people from every background are educated about the Holocaust and the important lessons to be learned for today.
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UJA-Federation of New York cares for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, responding to crises both close to home and far away, strengthening the local Jewish community, and building coalitions that promote inclusion.
Muslims@Braze:
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Baitulmaal USA provides life-saving, life-sustaining, and life-enriching humanitarian aid to underserved populations around the world.
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Global Deaf Muslim USA works to address the rights and needs of Deaf Muslims across the global ummah, increasing the access to Islamic information available in sign language.
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Helping Hand for Relief and Development is a global humanitarian relief and development organization responding to human suffering in emergency and disaster situations around the world. In addition to emergency relief efforts in natural or man-made disasters, they also work on long-term relief and development programs.
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Nisa Homes offers transitional homes for immigrant, refugee, non-status, and Muslim women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Nisa Homes envision a flourishing Muslim community in which help is available, shelter is attainable, and healing is possible.
Parents@Braze:
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Children International seeks to ensure children around the world have access to healthcare, food, and shelter, as well as learning and child protection services when children need it most.
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Hello Nurze is a platform where medically complex families can find in-home nursing care and nurses can find opportunities to work with families in need.
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We All Code’s mission is to introduce a diverse group of children to the fun of coding by providing free educational resources and hands-on classes.
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Every Mother Counts aims to achieve quality, respectful, and equitable maternity care for all by giving grants and working with partners and thought leaders to increase awareness and mobilize communities to take action.
Pride@Braze:
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Galop works directly with thousands of LGBT+ people in the UK who have experienced abuse and violence every year. They specialize in supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, honor-based abuse, forced marriage, so-called conversion therapies, and other forms of interpersonal abuse.
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The Ali Forney Center is committed to saving the lives of LGBTQ+ young people by protecting them from the harms of homelessness and empowering them with the tools needed to live independently.
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The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence.
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56 Dean Street is an expert sexual health clinic in London that focuses on the needs of the LGBTQI+ community.
SOMOS:
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GreenLatinos is an active community of Latino leaders confronting national and local environmental issues in the Latino community.
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Forever Changed International is dedicated to providing holistic care for vulnerable children. Through Dorie’s Promise Orphan Care Home in Guatemala City, they offer a nurturing environment where children receive comprehensive support from trained professionals in pediatrics, education, social work, and child care.
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The Colibrí Center for Human Rights works to create a safe, humane, and effective process for families of missing migrants to find answers.
Philanthropic giving is just one facet of our comprehensive social impact strategy. Through the Braze for Social Impact Fund, we are deeply committed to driving meaningful change and creating a lasting positive impact on underrepresented and underserved communities. We take immense pride in the difference these grants will make in the lives of individuals and the broader communities we strive to uplift.
To learn more about Braze and our social impact efforts, check out our 2024 ESG Report coming soon in July 2024. Check out last year’s report here.
