The CAFE Group is a nonprofit organization reimagining the architecture of philanthropy to support the people and institutions claiming a just future. 

We invest in leaders and organizations that are building a more equitable society, backing visionary talent through The 1954 Project and early-career changemakers through the LEAD Internship Program. Across generations and roles, we build networks that move with trust and shared purpose, fueled by our core belief that love is a strategy for lasting change.

We achieve this by aligning capital, fostering social connection, and convening people across sectors to practice philanthropy differently. Our proximity to people, institutions, and networks gives us clarity on where philanthropy must go next: move capital more boldly, invest in leadership with intention, and reshape systems at their roots. When these elements join together, they become the foundation for a future where next generations can thrive.

Named for the year of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, The 1954 Project is The CAFE Group’s flagship initiative dedicated to fulfilling the promise of equitable education in the United States. We provide $1 million in unrestricted funding, organizational development, and a powerful community of support to leaders reshaping the present and future of education in Black communities.

The 1954 Project Network is a community of educators, entrepreneurs, and cross-sector champions building toward a more equitable and imaginative education ecosystem. Through strategic investment, visibility, and convening, we advance the ideas and infrastructure that uplift Black learners and communities. Our belief is simple: when Black communities thrive, everyone benefits.

The name honors the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional and highlighted the inherent inequality it perpetuated.Our initiative is named to recognize this pivotal moment in history, and we aim to continue advancing the promise of equity in education—a mission that remains unfulfilled more than half a century later.

We focus on three interconnected areas critical to advancing equity:

1. Innovation in Teaching and Learning: Create education models that center Black students through culturally affirming approaches that challenge traditional structures and transform how learning happens, ultimately serving all students.

2. Diversity in Education: Build pathways that increase and sustain Black educators and education leaders who transform where and how students learn.

3. Pathways to Economic Mobility: Build pathways to wealth, ownership, and economic power for Black students, families, and communities through innovative educational programming.