New identity reflects the funder’s evolution and a bold vision for the future of philanthropy.
As many philanthropic institutions scale back public commitments to racial equity amid political and legal pressure, one Illinois grant-maker is making its commitment even more explicit.
Today, the Grand Victoria Foundation announced it has relaunched as AMARA (A Movement Activating Repair and Abundance in Illinois), a new name and identity that reflect the organization’s evolution into a funder dedicated to advancing racial justice and investing in Black-centered organizations across Illinois. The announcement comes at the start of Black Philanthropy Month and will be celebrated at an event at the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, August 6.
The rebrand marks the culmination of a strategic transformation that began after the 2020 racial reckoning, when the foundation reoriented its grantmaking around Black leadership, community power-building, and systemic change. Rather than retreating from that focus, AMARA is embracing it as the defining principle of its mission. AMARA’s grantmaking also supports mission-aligned racial justice work led by and serving other communities of color across Illinois.
Named for the Nigerian Igbo word meaning “grace” and carrying associations with “love” and “eternal” across other languages and cultures, AMARA reflects the organization’s belief that repair begins with love, is sustained by grace and requires a long-term commitment to Illinois’ Black communities.
“AMARA is more than a name—it reflects a movement rooted in repair, abundance and the power of Black communities. When we invest in and support communities in determining their own futures, we help build a stronger and more just Illinois for everyone,” said president Sharon Bush. “In our next chapter, we will move more boldly—investing in Black and brown leadership, sharing power with communities and helping set a more equitable model for philanthropy.”
Since its founding in 1996, the foundation has awarded more than $184 million in grants across Illinois. Today, its grantmaking is organized around 81 population centers where at least 30% of residents are Black, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to investing in Black communities and—by extension—Illinois’ overall growth and future.
For more information, visit www.amarail.org.
