The New Mountain Climbers: African-American Giving Circle ascends new heights

When the members of New Mountain Climbers named their giving circle and donor advised fund, they were invoking the vision, passion and commitment of Dr. Martin Luther King. At the same time, they were thinking about the past, present and future of their African American community in Montgomery County, Virginia.

"My mother suggested we name the fund after Dr. King’s speech On the Mountain Top," explains Penny Franklin, one of the founding members of the New Mountain Climbers, an endowed fund at the Community Foundation of New River Valley. "The NAACP honored members who fought in the civil rights movement by calling them Mountain Climbers. We decided we would build on that legacy and call ourselves the New Mountain Climbers."

In his famous and eloquent speech, Dr. King describes seeing a future of racial equality in the United States while standing on top of a mountain. His speech speaks to the political power that Black Americans have in shaping their future by combining financial resources: "Never stop and forget that collectively -- that means all of us together -- collectively we are richer than all the nations in the world…Did you know that? That's power right there, if we know how to pool it."

These intentions and others shape the philanthropy of New Mountain Climbers, which is one of a growing number of endowed funds and giving circles established by African American groups nationally. Through a special effort designed to use philanthropy to help with issues of race and equity, the Ford Foundation and North Carolina-based HindSight Consulting have been have been seeding giving circles for African Americans in the South to connect more African Americans to organized philanthropy. The Ford Foundation matches all the money raised by the giving circles, and HindSight Consulting works with the groups to help them develop their visions, fund-raising and grant-making strategies.

Focus on African American youth

During its planning process, the New Mountain Climbers decided their giving circle would fund projects that support African American youth. In addition, their plan is to raise money to build their endowed fund. "As far as I am thinking, the sky’s the limit," says Franklin. "What if we raise $100,000? Would they match it? We hope so, and we plan on approaching other foundations to help us reach our goal."

To date, the giving circle has awarded two grants. A $500 grant supported a tutorial program offered at a community center in Christiansburg. Until schools were racially integrated, the community center was the first Christiansburg Institute. Later, the Institute was relocated to a 100-plus acre campus, established for African Americans by Booker T. Washington and the Quakers. "My grandmother boarded there. The school had five major buildings, farmland, and prepared students for trades or college," Franklin explains. "The alumni association of the Institute is now trying to turn it into a true learning center to teach carpentry, masonry and other trades." The group’s second grant of $750 funded the Smile Project, a "homebound Headstart program" for rural families with pre-school children.

Promoting political engagment and the African American voice

The New Mountain Climbers Giving Circle grew out of another group Franklin and her mentor, the former Reverend John Price, founded five years ago. Named The Community Group, their goal was to help unify their African American community, and to encourage other black residents to run for public office.

Franklin is the only African American ever to be elected to public office in Montgomery County. "Our goal was to educate others about why they need to be more involved in the decision-making process, and to have others join me in office. Me being the only elected official is not right. We need other people to run," explains Franklin who serves as chair of the board, and is in her seventh year on the local school board.

In the past five years, the members of The Community Group/New Mountain Climbers have helped in the creation of a 25-year comprehensive plan for the community. In addition, the group has organized several forums for African Americans focused on identifying needs of past, present and future leaders of the community. These conversations have involved 80 and 90 year olds as well as very young children.

In an effort to engage local and state politicians with the African American community, elected officials were invited to attend a gathering at the Rosa Peters Playground, a park originally established and held in trust for the ‘colored children.’ "This event was held in the African American community to invite politicians to our community," explains Franklin. "Political events have not been held in traditionally black communities in Montgomery County."

One member's motivation

Penny Franklin is no stranger to heavy lifting. For years, she has supported herself and her children by working on a loading dock. And, throughout her life she has developed a reputation for protecting the underdog. Over the past decade she has further developed her strength by becoming an elected official, community leader and philanthropist.

In addition to serving as chair of the Montgomery County Public School Board, Franklin is an advisor for the Community Foundation of the New River Valley, which serves Virginia's New River Valley (Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski counties, and the City of Radford). She is also a past president of the Montgomery County, Radford City, Floyd County Chapter of the NAACP and, Administrative Chief Steward, IUE/CWA Local 160.

Franklin became involved in public service in her late 30s when her children began having problems at school, which she felt were rooted in racial inequities in the school system. "I am very, very introverted," she describes. "Then, people were messing with my kids and I began to question inequities."

Continuing, Franklin adds, "When I turned 40, I would say to God: ‘I know there is something I am supposed to do.’ Then, after working night shifts for 10 years while my kids were growing up, a day shift opened up. Then, I became president of the local chapter of NAACP, and then was approached to run for school board. One day while I was campaigning, a woman came running after me and told me her son had been in school with me, and had been brutalized while he was a student. I didn’t know that until then. She told me that after we became friends, no one messed with him"

"We all (New Mountain Climbers) have faith. We believe this is God’s will. We all have tremendous faith that this is what we are supposed to be doing. He is opening doors for us. Five years ago, we were putting proposals forward to the community foundation to be funded. Last year, we came to the table. This year, we are reviewing proposals and making grants. That’s a big change. All in five years."

The future

Recently, The Community Group held its five-year anniversary celebration, and recognized people for their leadership, community service and educational achievements. During the celebration, the group members gave awards to African American youth, ranging from 1 to 18 years old. "We targeted the usual and unusual subjects, too. We wanted kids to know that someone is watching them, and that we care."

Springing directly from Dr King’s powerful vision, and ably guided by activist leader Penny Franklin, The New Mountain Climbers are spreading inspiration and effecting real change in their communities’ -- one mountain at a time.