Philanthropy Under Siege: How the Fight Against the Fearless Fund Threatens Black Women’s Progress in Detroit

A landmark case has nonprofit leaders in Michigan and across the country on edge, as an Atlanta-based charity, the Fearless Foundation, and its Fearless Fund have been barred from offering grants and support exclusively to Black women. This restriction arises from a national contest aimed at empowering Black female entrepreneurs. This case, which touches the core of philanthropic freedom and racial equity, could set a dangerous precedent for similar initiatives nationwide. Last week, a federal appeals court upheld an injunction against the Fearless Fund, marking a significant moment in the ongoing legal battle. Although the case has yet to be fully resolved, the court’s decision to maintain the injunction has sent shockwaves through the philanthropic community. Many nonprofit leaders expressed deep concern, noting that this ruling is sending a chilling effect to philanthropy that could lead to other similar cases. The injunction stems from a lawsuit filed in August by the American Alliance for Equal Rights and its founder, Edward Blum, who is no stranger to high-stakes legal battles. Blum is the architect behind the U.S. Supreme Court case that dismantled affirmative action in college admissions last year. In this new lawsuit, the alliance claims that the Fearless Fund’s grant...