Etsy, the global marketplace for unique and creative goods, established the Uplift Fund as a Donor Advised Fund at Brooklyn Community Foundation. The Fund supports nonprofits nationwide that work to dismantle barriers to building a successful small business by fostering equal opportunities to creative entrepreneurship. 

 

Etsy buyers in the United States can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar amount at check out, and the change is donated to the Uplift Fund. These buyer donations, as well as direct grants from Etsy, will be distributed by Brooklyn Community Foundation to nonprofits across the country working directly with creators who need support building their own businesses.

 

We spoke with Etsy’s Senior Manager of Social Innovation Dinah Jean to learn more.

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Etsy is a marketplace that aims to support small and micro businesses, and our commitment to supporting this community extends to our impact work. Like us, our customers believe in the power of small business and the unique impact creative entrepreneurs have in our lives. The Uplift Fund represents an opportunity for our customers to join Etsy in supporting creators who face barriers to building successful businesses. This effort is particularly critical today as the past year has highlighted the gap in resources available to many communities who are eager to utilize their talents to build businesses.

 

Since launching our round up and donate feature on Etsy.com, we have had over 1 million buyers round up to support the Uplift Fund. We hope the Fund is able to help propel forward the incredible work of organizations across the country that are committed to supporting creative entrepreneurs while highlighting how a small step can help make a positive impact in the lives of the business owners that create so much for our local and global communities.

 

Brooklyn Community Foundation has a longstanding commitment to building a fair Brooklyn that is a vibrant and prosperous borough for all of its residents. The goal of the Uplift Fund is to break down barriers that prevent equitable access to entrepreneurship. In choosing the Brooklyn Community Foundation, we knew we would be working with a team that’s committed to leveraging creative solutions to build positive change in Brooklyn and beyond. While the round up and donate program was a new effort to the Brooklyn Community Foundation team, they recognized how it could be an effective vehicle and were eager to work together to make it happen.

 

We’re proud to have our headquarters here in Brooklyn. The borough is home to communities from across the globe and this perspective is critical in helping us bring diverse local talent to the company. Our commitment to the communities where we live and work is key to our mission and enables us to bring to life our commitments to economic, social, and environmental impact. 

 

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To learn more about Donor Advised Funds and how they can help you or your clients give with intention, contact our Donor Services team at donorservices@bcfny.org.