The Warner Music Group / Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund (SJF) is a ten-year $100 million fund established in June 2020 following the murder of George Floyd. The fund supports charitable causes related to the music industry, social justice and campaigns against violence and racism.
Len Blavatnik, founder of the Blavatnik Family Foundation said:
“It is imperative we continue to support organizations and groups that are making a direct, positive impact for historically underserved and marginalized populations. The work being done by the grantees, and all those who we have supported, is inspiring, which is why we are setting up a mechanism to provide continued resources and tools.”
The WMG/BFF SJF invests in organizations around the globe that build more just and equitable communities and create real change in the lives of historically underserved and marginalized people. We focus our investments on organizations that are led by and work to benefit affected populations, principally Black populations, in their intersectional dimensions.
Our carefully considered, long-term investments focus on our three key strategic pillars: education, arts and culture, and criminal justice reform, with the belief that work in these areas will aid in dismantling structural racism and advancing equity and justice for all people. WMG/BFF SJF supports organizations through grant making, capacity building and community building. Grant making counters the chronic underinvestment of organizations led by Black and historically marginalized people. Capacity-building provides training, technical assistance and coaching to our Core Fund Grantee Partners to strengthen operations and beyond. Community building is delivered through our Grantee Convening and networking opportunities, where we connect global racial justice movement leaders with each other — and their music industry peers — to exchange ideas, innovate and collaborate.
Lorelei Williams, Executive Director, WMG / Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund said:
“We have a powerful opportunity – and obligation – to radically reimagine and rebuild a more just society. In partnership with our dynamic Board, I look forward to building an innovative Fund that leverages the power of culture, advocacy, and direct action to create real change in the lives of historically underserved and marginalized populations.”
The Fund serves as an acknowledgement of the contributions Black culture has made to the profitability of today’s music industry. Over ten years, the Fund will invest in organizations around the globe that build more equitable communities and create real change in the lives of historically underserved and marginalized populations – with heightened attention to Black communities.
