The 1954 Project Luminary Award
The CAFE Group’s 1954 Project is advancing education equity by investing in bold, imagination-fueled, and high-impact leaders committed to addressing systemic barriers and creating sustainable change for Black students and in Black communities.
The Luminary Program - The initiative is designed for leaders with a proven track record of success in education and the vision to create even greater impact.
Luminaries join a powerful community of innovators, change-makers, and visionaries driving systemic progress to support students and communities across the U.S.
Program Benefits:
- Catalytic Capital - Each Luminary receives a transformational unrestricted $1 million grant to deepen their organization's work.
- National Visibility - Access to a vast network of philanthropists, funders, and thought leaders in education and other sectors.
- Ongoing Support - A three-year cohort journey that includes mentorship, leadership development, and strategic advisory to invest in their long-term success.
The open application eligibility period for the 2025 1954 Project Luminary Award is now closed. Watch this space for 2026 application cycle updates. Sign up here for our interest group.
Applicants are visionary leaders with a proven ability to disrupt the status quo in education who can demonstrate proximity, lived expertise, and a deep commitment to advancing equity for Black students and communities most impacted by systemic inequities in education.
Related Resources
The CAFE Group focuses on three areas: influencing the social and financial capital landscape, opening doors to new opportunities for education innovators, and nurturing the next generation of philanthropic professionals.
Founded by philanthropists Liz and Don Thompson in 2014, The CAFE Group transforms philanthropy through love-centered, systemic change. We hold a deep commitment to increasing representation of Black leaders and leaders of color in the sector.
Our approach pairs catalytic funding with strategic relationship-building. The 1954 Project provides $1 million grants to accelerate educational innovation for Black students and communities, while LEAD develops the next generation of philanthropic leaders. By activating shared social capital across our expanding networks, together, we're building a more equitable philanthropic ecosystem.
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