AYA Foundation's Eight28 Fund

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OUR VISION: A TAPESTRY OF ENDURANCE

AYA Foundation’s Eight28 Fund is about crafting resilience and establishing permanence in Black nonprofits. We see nonprofits not as fleeting entities, but as cornerstones—foundations upon which generations stand. Eight28 is dedicated to transforming pivotal Black nonprofits into enduring Black institutions, molding legacies that last.

These cornerstone institutions are more than organizations; they weather storms, hold memories, and pave the future. Their existence and significance transcends generations, trends, economic cycles, and passing fads. When we look at them, we see the faces of those who came before, the dreams they nurtured, the struggles they overcame, and the future they hold for our community.

MISSION: FORTIFYING PERMANENCE

Beyond financial assistance, we make investments in what creates institutional permanence: infrastructure and capacity. We empower institutions with:

• Technical Assistance: Tailored consulting support for growth, tackling challenges, and seizing growth opportunities.
• Social Capital: Facilitating vital connections and networking to embed institutions within the community fabric, gaining access to a wealth of knowledge, resources and support.
• Expertise and Governance: Offering professional services and board development, equipping institutions with the necessary expertise and strategic governance for sustainable success.

WE BELIEVE CORNERSTONE INSTITUTIONS NEED:

• Paid Leadership: Building institutions with compensated leaders and staff.
• Robust Infrastructure: Creating the operational backbone.
• Designed for Growth: Fostering institutions that scale their reach with integrity.
• Community-Driven Support: Equipping institutions with the social capital necessary to drive meaningful change.

WHY EIGHT28?

August 28 is historically significant:

• 1833: Slavery was abolished in the United Kingdom, which had a “trickle-down effect and led to American abolition of slavery.”
• 1955: 14-year-old Emmett Till was brutally murdered by three white men, becoming a “flashpoint in the civil rights movement.”
• 1963: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech in Washington, D.C.
• 2005: Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana, disproportionately impacting many of New Orleans’ Black residents.
• 2008: Then-Senator Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for president, becoming the first Black man to ever win the nomination and bid for presidency.

JOIN US IN CONSTRUCTING LEGACY

Together, let’s construct institutions that withstand the winds of change. Let’s ensure that when storms rage, these cornerstones remain unshaken. Let’s celebrate their victories, learn from their challenges, and honor their endurance.

Be part of the movement that builds unshakable foundations for Black empowerment. Your support—whether through direct involvement, spreading the word, or financial contributions—plays a vital role in this transformative journey.

CONTACT US

For inquiries and to join our mission, reach out:

• Email: benny@ayafoundation.org
• Phone: 720.853.3445
• Follow us: @aya.foundation

Let’s create a legacy that echoes through generations—a legacy of empowerment, influence, and prosperity.