The Fund Adds 12 New Non-Profit Organizations to the Roster of Community Programs Its Supports
Gucci has launched the sixth installment of its Gucci Changemakers North America initiative, titled “Manifesting Visions of Tomorrow.” The initiative continues to support emerging talents in the arts and cultural sectors through its Impact Fund, Scholarship Program, and Creative Fellowship.
To mark the new chapter, Gucci released a short film directed by Anthony Prince Leslie, featuring Gucci Changemakers Scholars Miles Richards and D’on Lauren Edwards, and Impact Fund recipient Custom Collaborative, with its Executive Director, Ngozi Okaro. The film highlights the theme of human interconnectedness and the impactful changes driven by individuals and communities.
Since its inception in 2019, the Gucci Changemakers North America Impact Fund has assisted 67 non-profit organizations, positively affecting over 880,000 people across North America. The Scholarship Program has also supported 74 students, with Gucci providing more than $7 million in funding over the years.
This year’s Impact Fund beneficiaries exemplify the initiative’s broad scope, supporting diverse programs that include arts access for people with disabilities, empowering girls of color through dance using STEM concepts, and offering art therapy to LGBTQ+ youth. The 2024 recipients are:
- Art Reach in Philadelphia, PA
- Art Starts in Toronto, Canada
- Black Design Collective in Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago Youth Programs in Chicago, IL
- Hispanic Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C.
- National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, GA
- Radical Partners in Miami, FL
- Ruth Ellis Center in Detroit, MI
- STEM From Dance in New York, NY
- The Texas Supremacy of Music & Arts Conservatory in Houston, TX
- Trombone Shorty Foundation in New Orleans, LA
- Youth Art Exchange in San Francisco, CA
Additionally, the 2024 Creative Fellows were announced at last year’s CultureCon event in New York City. The fellows—Celeste Nicole, Keith Herron, Yetunde Sapp, and Zahri Josita Jackson—are all alumni of the Gucci Changemakers Scholars program. Each has received a grant and mentorship to pursue an independent creative project, furthering their professional development in the arts.