There are many ways to financially support the "Black Lives Matter" (BLM) movement, including donating directly (open in new tab), supporting individuals who are active in the movement, and financially supporting families of victims of racialized violence (open in new tab). There is also plenty of information online about how to promote the movement in general (and advocates are beginning to see real change (open in new tab)). But what if you want to help (opens in new tab) but can't protest or donate right now? "Thankfully, there are a variety of options, from donating points to signing petitions. All you have to do is be willing to use your time and energy to support a cause.

One aspect of being an ally/conspirator against racism (open in new tab) is education and support. This is also a way to support the BLM movement financially, either directly or indirectly.

It is also worth noting that it does not necessarily have to be a well-known activity. It can be supported in everyday professional life. Can you help implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace or serve as a mentor to help others increase their salaries and job opportunities?" and "Can you contribute to anti-racism efforts through time, energy, and discussion? Will they?"

In 2020, black YouTuber Zoe Amira created an hour-long video filled with ads highlighting black creators (open in new tab). One hundred percent of the associated proceeds were donated to BLM organizations. Other YouTubers followed suit, but YouTube removed (open in new tab) or deleted many of them, citing its "policy of not placing ads on videos about tragedies." The video received 10.5 million views, and YouTube apparently matched the donations raised (over $45,000 (open in new tab) was donated to the Bail Project). Amira said that she is working with YouTube and Google to change this policy.

YouTube will allow users to start fundraising from their videos (opens in new tab), like Eugene Lee Yang of Tri Guys, who appeared in a deeply educational video (opens in new tab) about anti-Asian hate. And even if the ad doesn't play in the video (so you can't just watch it and donate), watching it will increase visibility and sharing it will increase the likelihood that people will donate. So let's focus on relevant, verified YouTube fundraisers.

The full article with instructions is here (opens in a new tab), but there are several ways you can donate points or credits to relevant causes right now:

On Change.org, when you sign these petitions, a very small donation to advance the movement ( about $3) is requested. Alternatively, you can contribute to the movement indirectly by amplifying the message on social media and encouraging others to donate.

Here are just a few of the petitions worth signing. (While there is some debate about the validity of donating to the Change.org petition versus donating to GoFundMes for Families, signing a centralized and organized petition shows the enormous amount of public support for this issue.)

Justice for Ma'khia Bryant ( (opens in new tab)

Justice for Daunte Wright (opens in new tab) (also GoFundMe (opens in new tab))

Free Greg Mingo (opens in new tab)

Ahmaud Arbery's Justice for (opens in new tab)

Justice for Jacob Blake (opens in new tab) [25] [26] Justice for Casey Goodson (opens in new tab) [27] [28] Justice for Breanna Taylor (opens in new tab) (now federal Black Lives Matter (open in new tab) link has been updated.

While this will probably take the most time (and you'll want to educate yourself about choosing the most appropriate cause), Facebook can set up simple fundraisers that donate directly to nonprofits. Set it up just like a regular submission: click on the pencil icon to create a submission from your page, click on the three dots, then click Raise Money. Then select the nonprofit you wish to support and run it from there.

If you are not on Facebook, you can use GoFundMe (opens in new tab) to set up a donation page on behalf of others. But the same idea applies here: you want to do your homework, see what else is out there, and evaluate the network to maximize the chances of your page's success. If you belong to a volunteer organization, a club, a nonprofit, or a workplace focused on a cause, this may be your chance to synchronize your resources.

If none of these options fit the bill and you still want to help, brainstorm with friends and colleagues. What other ways can we raise our visibility and contribute?