CLLCTIVLY is a grantmaking organization that provides funding to groups and individuals that are led by and aid “Black, indigenous, and people of color” (BIPOC) communities in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a project of Possibility Labs, which has received funding from George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF). ¹

Background

CLLCTIVLY was founded in 2019 as CLLCTIV Assets, an online directory of over 100 organizations supporting “Black, indigenous, and people of color” (BIPOC) communities in Baltimore, Maryland. The organization also supports local programs including multimedia project Amplify, a skills bank, the Social Impact Institute, and the Black-Led Solidarity Fund, previously known as the Fund for Black Futures. ^{2 3 4}

CLLCTIVLY is a fiscally funded project of Possibility Labs (PL), an organization that invests in “Black, indigenous people of color” (BIPOC) community organizations with fiscal sponsorships and donor-advised funds. The Eco Liberation Fund and the Abolition Dream Lab are two of the other organizations funded by PL. ^{5 6 7}

Activities

Between 2019 and 2022, CLLCTIVLTY provided $750,000 in donations through its “Black Futures Grants” to  “Black, indigenous people of color” (BIPOC) organizations and individuals. ⁸

In 2024, the group organized CLLCTIVGIVE 2024, a fundraising effort to raise money for BIPOC communities within Baltimore. Sponsoring groups included the Elbow Fund, T. Rowe Price, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Wells Fargo, and Downtown Partnership of Baltimore. Overall, the effort raised $1,123,723 from 2,166 donors and 119 organizations that was distributed to 41 BIPOP organizations. ^{9 10}

In 2024, in partnership with the Elbow Fund, CLLCTIVLY awarded Hand in Hand awards of $20,000 each to 10 BIPOC organizations within the Baltimore community. ¹¹

Also in 2024, CLLCTIVLY produced a soundtrack titled “28 Days of Black Futures Cypher” to raise funds for BIPOC-led organizations in the city region. The effort was sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Co. ¹²

People

Jamye Wooten is the founder and CEO of CLLCTIVLY. Wooten is also a co-founder of Baltimore United for Change as well as the founder and CEO of advisory group Kenetics Strategies. Wooten was a fellow at the left-of-center ABFE’s Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program. ^{8 13 14}

Kreystle Starvis is the COO of CLLCTIVLY. She previously served as the manager of workforce development and reentry programs for Living Classrooms Foundation as well as the associate director at left-of-center Aspen Institute. ^{2 15}

Funding

In 2023, CLLCTIVLY received a $6 million grant from George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF). ¹

In 2022, CLLCTIVLY received a $225,000 grant from the T. Rowe Price Foundation paid over three years. ^{8 16}

1. “Baltimore Leader Secures $20 Million to Support Black Leaders and Organizations after Learning of Foundation’s Closure.” CLLCTIVLY, August 3, 2023. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://cllctivly.org/baltimore-leader-secures-20-million-to-support-black-leaders-and-organizations-after-learning-of-foundations-closure/.
2. “About.” CLLCTIVLY. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://cllctivly.org/about/.
3. “BF360 Membership.” CLLCTIVLY. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://cllctivly.org/bf360-membership/.
4. Bantigue, Irene. “Solidarity, Not Charity: Empowering Baltimore’s Black Businesses and Organizations.” Impact Hub Baltimore, June 4, 2020. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://baltimore.impacthub.net/jamye-cllctivly/.
5. Possibility labs, June 12, 2024. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://possibilitylabs.org/fiscal-sponsorship/.
6. Possibility labs, June 12, 2024. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://possibilitylabs.org/donor-advised-funds/.
7. “Our Partners.” Possibility Labs, September 9, 2024. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://possibilitylabs.org/our-partners/.
8. Team, NationSwell. “Not Just Surviving, but Thriving: An Interview with Cllctivly’s Jamye Wooten.” NationSwell, September 8, 2022. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://nationswell.com/not-just-surviving-but-thriving-an-interview-with-cllctivlys-jamye-wooten/.
9. ^[1] “Applications for Social Impact Initiative Open through August 30, 2024.” Marketing, Automation & Email Platform. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://mailchi.mp/cllctivly/cllctivly-launches-the-drs-elmer-and-joanne-martin-social-impact-fellowship-to-help-drive-meaningful-social-change-in-baltimore-13608907?fbclid=IwY2xjawFk7zxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeBVNRenZnktkIdmB21RQ35qyT2QosqbEteNt2-3-sHSXsETD9m2_e108w_aem_CgaB-UEo7o8x35I_Pg3P9Q.
10. “The Final Results Are in for CLLCTIVGIVE 2024 & Just, Wow!” Marketing, Automation & Email Platform. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://mailchi.mp/cllctivly/the-final-results-are-in-for-cllctivgive-2024-just-wow?fbclid=IwY2xjawFk8EtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHb7Ejpxxm9w-CquGt6HneQ6y3N67K660OAGqQ7fiGQsEEL0Ug3gIDbwICg_aem_1ddSEGXVYQKeSCpxWh-X_w
11. “Cllctivly.” Facebook. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/cllctivly/.
12. “Every Movement Needs a Soundtrack: 28 Artists Unite to Raise Funds for Baltimore Changemakers.” Marketing, Automation & Email Platform. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://mailchi.mp/6080f92852cb/every-movement-needs-a-soundtrack-28-artists-unite-to-raise-funds-for-baltimore-changemakers-5239968.
13. “Jamye Wooten Selected for 2021 Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program.” CLLCTIVLY, May 25, 2021. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://cllctivly.org/jamye-wooten-selected-for-2021-connecting-leaders-fellowship-program/.
14. Jamye Wooten – Founder & CEO – cllctivly. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamye-wooten.
15. “Krystle Starvis Joins Cllctivly as COO.” CLLCTIVLY, November 14, 2022. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://cllctivly.org/krystle-starvis-joins-cllctivly-as-coo/.
16. Davis, Alanah Nichole. “With $6.5m, T. Rowe Price Says ‘Baltimore Is the Best Place in the World to Change the World.’” Technical.ly, February 26, 2024. Accessed October 3, 2024.  https://technical.ly/civic-news/t-rowe-price-foundation-grants-baltimore-aed-cllctivly/.