The Bayou Collective Giving Circle has officially launched as a community-driven philanthropic initiative dedicated to investing in Black-led organizations across the Houston area.

Co-Founder Kelli King- Jackson

 

Rooted in the long tradition of Black collective giving, the Circle brings together Black women and allies to pool resources, deepen philanthropic learning, and fund sustainable, community-centered solutions. The initiative prioritizes unrestricted funding and capacity-building support to help strengthen long-term organizational impact.

Despite their outsized role in serving local communities, Black-led organizations continue to receive significantly less philanthropic funding and unrestricted support than their white-led counterparts. The Bayou Collective Giving Circle aims to address this gap by centering trust, equity, and transparency in its grantmaking and by empowering members to learn collectively about community needs and Black philanthropy.

Co-Founder Courtney Taylor

 

The Circle has partnered with organizations such as Black Philanthropy Houston and Black Impact Houston to expand donor and grantee education throughout the region. Organizers say collective giving allows resources to reach organizations that are often underfunded but deeply embedded in the communities they serve.

The Bayou Collective soft-launched in fall 2025 with 16 Founding Members recruited through the founders’ professional networks to help build awareness ahead of its public launch. The Circle is now welcoming members, allies, and community partners committed to building a sustainable future for Black-led organizations in Houston.

Members make an annual investment of $1,000, with pooled funds scheduled to be awarded as grants in August 2026. In addition to participating in the grantmaking process, members have access to donor education opportunities and community gatherings designed to foster collaboration, accountability, and collective care. Ally Memberships are available at multiple giving levels to ensure accessibility for donors of all income levels.

The Bayou Collective Giving Circle is grounded in collective economics and honors long-standing traditions of shared community support while creating a modern, transparent philanthropic model focused on long-term impact.

For more information about membership, partnerships, or upcoming events, visit www.thebayoucollective.com.