#BlackLivesMatter is strengthening its power—in the back office.

This week, the Black Lives Matter Global Network (BLM) announced it was partnering with the International Development Exchange (IDEX) to help support its rapid growth and future goals.

IDEX will provide fiduciary oversight, financial management, and other staff and administrative services to BLM. In addition, as a 501(c)(3) public charity, IDEX can receive grants and tax-deductible donations and gifts on behalf of BLM. 

By turning management of its financial affairs over to IDEX, BLM says, it can focus on building local chapters and its overall organizational structure. BLM has agreed to make a donation in support of IDEX’s grassroots partners in Zimbabwe and South Africa, in lieu of paying an administrative fee for the charity’s support. 

Another key aspect of the agreement, according to a press release, is providing learning exchange and alliance-building opportunities for BLM and IDEX’s grassroots partners across the globe.

“We needed to partner with an organization who can support us as we build these connections on a global scale,” BLM cofounder Alicia Garza said in the press release.

The new alliance offers mutual benefit by boosting both organizations’ missions.

“We believe that people’s movements around the world have much to learn from each other, and we value our role in connecting them,” said IDEX Executive Director Rajasvini Bhansali.

Garza also hopes to learn from global movements that IDEX is connected to. IDEX has backed more than 500 activist groups around the world in the last 30 years, reportedly affecting 1.5 million people.

While BLM is not representative of all #BlackLivesMatter demonstrators and organizers, this partnership shows how a grassroots movement, with chapters in about 40 U.S. cities and some abroad, can develop into a structured organization at a time when donations are coming in.

For example, last month, the BLM-affiliated Movement for Black Lives announced it was working to raise $100 million from several organizations.

Black Lives Matter protesters shown protesting at New York City's Grand Central Terminal last year. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)