Learn the history of the Black Immigrant Capacity Building Project

In 2021, the Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) launched a survey that found that Black immigrant-serving organizations in Philadelphia and the greater area disproportionately lacked the resources necessary for expansion and community services. As a result, OIA started the Black Immigrant Capacity Building Project (BICBP) with Philadelphia organizations.

With the Philadelphia Foundation's generous one-time grant for immigrant-serving organizations, OIA and the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs (MCACIA) planned the grant's allocation and collaborated with long-standing Black immigrant organizations to establish BICBP as a sustainable, long-term project.

How the Project Grew

In 2021, the Philadelphia Foundation's grant went to a founding advisory team of three Black-led immigrant-serving organizations: AFAHO, ACANA, and AfriCom. After a year of research, these organizations concluded that one-time assistance to a host of over 40 non-profit organizations would only provide temporary relief. The issues faced by many non-profit organizations could not be easily solved with small one-time grants: understaffing and hurdles to scaling services to encapsulate the broader Philadelphia area were all issues that required more consistent support.

This led to a long-term initiative for fundraising and grant distribution being proposed to the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs in 2023. After approval from MCACIA, OIA called for and vetted committee advisor applications from 2023 to 2024. These committee advisors established BICBP's administrative and funding foundation, with the open pilot grant being administered in 2025.

The Project Now

BICBP held its first grant cycle in the summer of 2025. In this competition, ten different organizations were awarded $5,000 each in December of 2025 and received training on fundraising strategies to help bolster their internal development. These organizations are the Fouta Islamic Centre of Philadelphia, Ignite Change, Center for Integration and Migrant Support, United Caribbean Association of Philadelphia, Lovelife Food Inc., Team SVG International Support Inc., Agape African Senior Center, Men Anpil, Masjid Ar Rahman, and the Minority Center for Participation & Empowerment/Minority Group of Companies.

The current BICBP Advisory Committee members are Thierno Diallo (Co-Chair), Jennifer M. Joseph (Co-Chair), Teresa Browne-Parris (Secretary), Isabelle Coulibaly (Committee Member), YvesM Desir (Committee Member), Matilda Sawie (Committee Member), and Hamidou Traore (Committee Member).

"Serving as Vice Chair of the Black Immigrant Capacity Building Project (BICBP) has been both an honor and a profound responsibility," said Jennifer Joseph. "This initiative represents more than a program or funding mechanism. It is a collective commitment to strengthening the capacity, visibility, and sustainability of Black immigrant led organizations that have long served our communities with limited resources but unwavering dedication. I am deeply encouraged by the progress we have already made, from establishing a strong operational foundation to supporting our first cohort of grantees. BICBP is planting seeds that will bear fruit for years to come, ensuring that the voices, talents, and leadership within Black immigrant communities are not only recognized but resourced to thrive. It is truly my privilege to help steward this vision and to witness the power that emerges when communities invest in one another."

If you are an immigrant-serving organization interested in applying for funding from BICBP, please see this link to learn more about future grant opportunities: Black Immigrant Capacity Building Project