The Nonprofit that Took 100 Years to Build
“A seed knows how to wait… a seed is alive while it waits." — Hope Jahren
This story begins with Civil War veterans. Of the 200,000 Black people who enlisted in the Union Army and Navy, at least 135,000 of them had recently escaped slavery. These men and women joined the war to fight for the freedom of their loved ones still enslaved, to see the institution of slavery eradicated, and to be fully treated as humans should. For decades after the war, the contributions, heroism, and sacrifices of Black veterans were largely ignored and excluded from national monuments, military decorations, and benefit programs.
For this reason, 50 years after the war ended, a group of Black Civil War veterans, tired of having their demands for recognition shunned by Congress, formed the National Museum Association, an organization whose mission was to build a magnificent cultural archive honoring African Americans’ contributions to the country.
The Association saw some real progress in its first several years, shepherding a national grassroots movement in support of the museum. By 1920, they had convinced the House Committee of the Library (a congressional body) to support their goal, and it seemed as if their mission was about to be achieved. Orders were given to the Commission on Fine Arts to find a location on the National Mall, but a decision was made internally to delay the project until a memorial for the veterans of World War I could be constructed.
For a decade more, the National Museum Association continued its advocacy, and in 1929, President Calvin Coolidge signed into law the authorization of the museum. However, the idea was so controversial in Congress that its funding was scratched out by the time the bill reached his desk. It effectively became a symbolic gesture, absent of any material means to build the museum. Later that year, the stock market crashed, and support within the federal government for the museum disappeared.
In 1985, Representative Mickey Leland of Texas took up the issue in Congress, and it began gaining momentum once again. However, tragedy struck when Representative Leland died in a plane crash on his way to Ethiopia in 1990. Representative John Lewis of Georgia continued advocating for the museum and introduced a bill in the House of Representatives each year to that end, until, finally, in 2003, the authorization of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, a Smithsonian Institution, was signed into law.
On September 24th, 2016, over 100 years after the National Museum Association formed, the Museum opened its doors. It was the realization of a dream initiated by folks who had long passed away. And while their bodily elements have returned to the soil and spirits have traveled afar, their vision, now materialized, promises to impact generations.
“The road to success is paved with patience, where every delay is a lesson in persistence.” – Maya Angelou
There’s much to be said about why it took so long, but my point here today is this:
The work we do today matters, I promise you. The setbacks your organization may face in this moment, while certainly muddying the path, are testing your dedication and resourcefulness, but are not impenetrable.
Today, we bear the fruits of the founders of the National Museum Association, and even though it took 100 years to grow, it was worth it. Think about the seeds you planted today, and be proud. Think about the seeds you will plant tomorrow, and get excited.
Brooklyn Org Microgrants - provides one-year microgrants of up to $10,000 to neighborhood-based groups - Nov 30, 2026
Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation Grant - grants in the areas of health, education, social services, and community development. Jan 1, 2026.
The Cloudsplitter Foundation - support a well-defined project or program that has a defined need, budget, and associated supporting documentation. - Jan 1, 2026.
The Philanthropy Connection - Strengthening organizations working in Massachusetts - Jan 9, 2026
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Fund -competitive grant programs to reflect community needs and the foundation’s strategic initiatives - Feb. 14, 2026
The Roblee Foundation - funding requests in race, ethnicity, and gender equity. - Feb 17, 2026
Frank Hadley & Cornelia Ginn Foundation - education programs that support academic success, social emotional growth. - March 1, 2026
Montclair Fund for Women’s grant awards - Supporting education and social justice and focusing on women of color. - Mar 6, 2026.
Harvard Health Coverage Fellowship - rolling deadline
Seeding Disruption Fellowship - rolling deadline
Smack Mellon Artist Studio Program - Dec 1, 2025
Bernheim Forest Artist in Residence Program - Dec 1, 2025
Folger Institute Long-term Public Humanities Fellowships - Dec 15, 2025
How to Build a Nonprofit
🎙️ EPISODE ALERT: Helping Women of Color Build a Law Career and Fight Injustice- Rachel Johnson Farias
Rachel Johnson-Farias graduated with honors from Occidental College and earned her J.D. from U.C. Berkeley School of Law. After facing roadblocks in her path to becoming a licensed attorney, she founded Esq. Apprentice—a nonprofit helping nontraditional law students of color become licensed attorneys.
In our podcast episode, Rachel discusses avoiding burnout, building sustainable leadership practices, and how her organization works to upend systemic injustice in the legal profession.
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