Sisterhood of Philanthropists Impacting Needs

Impacting Marginalized Women and Adolescent Girls

SPIN (Sisterhood of Philanthropists Impacting Needs) is a philanthropic giving circle of Black women in the Denver community who leverage their collective strengths in order to positively impact marginalized women and adolescent girls.

SPIN brings together women of varying perspectives, backgrounds, and unique skill-sets who are passionate about making a difference through charitable contributions, community service projects, and civic engagement activities. Members contribute at least $400 annually.

2020 proved to be historic and unprecedented for just about everyone. However, much of what transpired in America last year disproportionately and negatively impacted the Black community. In Denver, we experienced first-hand the physical and financial perils the pandemic had on our community. Simultaneously, we witnessed weeks of unrest, outrage, and protests in our city and around the world in light of The Black Lives Matter Movement. Tragedy and trauma seemed to compound and multiply mercilessly.

These events inspired SPIN and Collaborative Healing Initiatives within Communities (CHIC) to launch a COVID-19 Community Relief Fund. These two mission-driven organizations, both of whom primarily focus on the advancement and empowerment of African-American women, were able to rally the support of their networks and to raise significant dollars for individuals and businesses disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. In total, CHIC and SPIN collaboratively raised over $70,000. Partners included the Margulf Foundation, The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, US Bank, Denver African-American Philanthropists, the Launch Network, and Park Hill Collective Impact.

“Just like many other organizations, we felt compelled to shift priorities as COVID-19 began to take its toll on the communities we serve,” said Sade Cooper, executive eirector of CHIC. “We are grateful for the opportunity to be a resource for those who need us most, not only now but well after this virus is behind us.” Tanaka Shipp, SPIN Co-Founder, added “SPIN’s primary goal has always been to facilitate philanthropy in communities of color. We raised the red flag and others stepped up in an incredible way, which is a true testament to what we can accomplish when we all work together!”

The successful COVID-19 collaboration motivated these two organizations to seek other opportunities to empower, uplift and provide lasting, impactful generational outcomes for Colorado’s Black population. In fact SPIN and CHIC are currently exploring a Free Lifetime Education Initiative for Black Coloradans. For more information about this endeavor, read this recent blog spotlight.

"SPIN has provided a space for African-American women to collectively engage in grassroots philanthropy intended to improve the lives of underrepresented women and girls of color. We are philanthropists and our legacies of giving have taken on new meaning within the meaningful structure of a giving circle."

- LaRae Scott-Jennings, past SPIN Co-chair

SPIN Co-leads

Shayla Richard & Tanara Landor

SPIN Members

Follow SPIN on Facebook to see what they're up to or contact the co-leads, Shayla Richard & Tanara Landor, to learn more.

Donate to SPIN

2024 Grantees

• Abundant Black Health
• Back2Basics
• The Bloom Flourishing Foundation
• Dafina Tucker Art
• Give Me a Chance Scholarship
• Hancock Foundation
• Higher Learning U, Inc.
• Jas Jewels Foundation
• Legacy Foundation for Family and Community Development
• Mama Bird Doula Services
• Museum for Black Girls
• Music Is Unity Foundation
• QueenShipp
• Resilient Futures, Inc.
• Therapy Thursday
• Women Who Charge

Be on the lookout for applications for SPIN's next grant cycle. Sign up for WFCO's eNewsletter and follow SPIN on Facebook to be the first to know when applications open.