Sachs Foundation Launches Alumni Board to Promote Black Leadership in Philanthropy

The Inaugural Alumni Board of the Sachs Foundation: A New Era for Black Leadership in Philanthropy



On July 16, 2025, the Sachs Foundation made a groundbreaking announcement with the launch of its Alumni Board, a pioneering initiative aimed at placing Black leadership at the forefront of philanthropic decision-making. This move is set to reframe the narrative around grantmaking and community engagement, emphasizing a model of empowerment and representation.

The Alumni Board is comprised exclusively of former Sachs Scholars—individuals who have navigated various professional landscapes such as global marketing, education, finance, and nonprofit leadership. Each member brings a wealth of experience, having dedicated over eight years to their respective fields. They will engage in significant responsibilities that extend beyond traditional advisory roles, including the formulation of grant processes, proposal evaluations, and funding decisions.

Ben Ralston, the CEO of the Sachs Foundation, expressed the transformative potential of the Board: "This Board is transformative for the philanthropic space. By placing grantmaking decisions in the hands of Black alumni, we move our funding power into the hands of the community we serve." This philosophy aims to dismantle existing barriers within philanthropy, promoting a paradigm shift that encourages community-led solutions.

The initiative stands as part of the Foundation's broader mission to foster equity and accountability, steering away from a top-down approach to philanthropy. Instead, the Sachs Foundation embraces a community-driven model that prioritizes lived experiences and professional expertise.

To develop their leadership capabilities, Board members will participate in training focused on nonprofit governance and long-term professional development. This structure ensures that alumni not only contribute as participants but emerge as leaders who can enact meaningful change at every level of organizational impact.

For Board Member Elisabeth Booze, this opportunity is particularly meaningful. "Serving on this Alumni Board has given me and my peers the chance to give back to the Black Colorado community, a community that has profoundly shaped our individual journeys. I am excited to engage in this important philanthropic work alongside such an incredible group of fellow alumni," Booze said, highlighting her gratitude for the networking, professional growth, and community impact that the Board fosters.

The timing of this launch is crucial, as calls for investment, representation, and leadership within Black communities across the U.S. continue to grow louder. The Alumni Board stands poised to address these calls by adopting a trust-based model that shares power with those who possess both lived experiences and professional acumen, ensuring that solutions are sculpted by the communities most affected by systemic inequities.

Ruth Woldemichael, the Director of Communications and Alumni Engagement, echoed this sentiment: "We're not just engaging alumni—we're following their lead to drive systems change. This Board exemplifies what it looks like when Black leadership is prioritized, not merely as a statement but as a consistent practice."

Through this innovative initiative, the Sachs Foundation reaffirms its commitment to elevating opportunities for Black Coloradans, nurturing leaders who can spearhead long-lasting structural change. The Alumni Board's influence will extend beyond grant guidance to shape broader programming, fostering a philanthropic landscape that is more just and representative.

This milestone reveals a powerful narrative: alumni are not just beneficiaries of the Sachs Foundation's mission; they are collaborators, changemakers, and architects of the future.

To explore more about the Sachs Foundation and this new Alumni Board, visit www.sachsfoundation.org.

About the Sachs Foundation


Established in 1931 by Henry Sachs in Pikes Peak, the Sachs Foundation has dedicated itself to helping Black Coloradans surmount systemic inequities. Over the years, the Foundation has empowered countless talented Black students to pursue higher education and developed initiatives that support Black youth and educators in Colorado. For more information on their scholarship programs and community initiatives, visit www.sachsfoundation.org.

Topics People & Culture)

【About Using Articles】

You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.

【About Links】

Links are free to use.