Jones Consulting Firm

Dr. Franceska Jones

August is Black Philanthropy Month

Black Philanthropy Month is a significant time in America. This is when Black

people in America pause and reflect on nonprofits’ critical role in their

communities. The nation’s leaders have acknowledged this mission, many of

whom have also been vocal supporters of black nonprofits. There are plenty of

ways to get involved with your local nonprofit or organization. Black philanthropy

month has various activities to get involved in or contribute to.

Black Philanthropy Month is a significant time in America. This is when Black people in America pause and reflect on nonprofits’ critical role in their communities. The nation’s leaders have acknowledged this mission, many of whom have also been vocal supporters of black nonprofits. There are plenty of ways to get involved with your local nonprofit or organization. Black philanthropy month has various activities to get involved in or contribute to. Here are some of the things you should know about Black Philanthropy Month.

Origin Of Black Philanthropy Month

 

The month was started in August 2011. It was founded by the Black-Philanthropy Network, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of philanthropy and encouraging people to donate their time and money to black-led organizations. BPM is meant to be a time for black-led giving circles and other organizations to share their work with the community, organize fundraising events to raise money for local charities, and highlight the importance of philanthropy in black-communities.

Making a Difference Through Philanthropy

We are at a critical moment in history in our country and the Black community. The death of George Floyd and many others who were killed by police sparked worldwide protests in the name of Black lives.

The justice movement has grown exponentially since then, but is this enough? Can we achieve justice for all when so many people still live under oppression? We must work together to achieve change if we want to have an inclusive society where everyone can thrive. One way you can help is through philanthropy. This word means “love of humankind,” but also carries with it a feeling of generosity toward those less fortunate than us.

The Black community has been fighting for justice for centuries, but much work still needs to be done. The world has witnessed an unprecedented rise in racial tensions as America continues to struggle with its legacy of slavery and oppression. To make matters worse, many people lost their jobs or homes during the pandemic, disproportionately affecting black-people due to systemic racism.

Philanthropy is important because it gives people a way to help those in need and meet their own needs. In these difficult times, we must work together as one community, regardless of our background or beliefs, to make this world better for everyone.

Anti-Racism Framework By Non-Profits

Nonprofits have been on the frontlines for years, working to eradicate racism and advance equity for people who have been marginalized by racial injustice. In addition to providing direct services, nonprofits also play an essential role in raising awareness about race issues in America.

They educate people about what has happened over time and how it continues to affect our society today. This can help change hearts, minds, and even laws so that everyone benefits from being treated equally under the law regardless of their skin color or background.

The work of nonprofits has been on the frontlines for years, working to eradicate racism and advance equity for people who have been marginalized by racial injustice. In addition to providing direct services, nonprofits also play an essential role in raising awareness about race issues in America. They educate people about what happened and how it continues to affect our society today.

Race & Justice

In response to the need for an anti-racist framework, we’re calling on nonprofits to embrace a commitment to work against all forms of racism. At their core, anti-racist nonprofits should strive for bold change to help create a world with substantive equity, where all people can thrive. Racial justice is about more than just race.

It’s also about class, gender, and ability intersectionality which means we must address these systems for true equality to be achieved. If you want your organization or cause to shift from being “just-black” or “just brown” into one that genuinely values diversity as part of its mission statement, then start by asking yourself some questions: What does this mean for our staff? How would I feel if someone did this at my job? Are there ways I can make sure everyone feels included in this work?

Black-Philanthropy Month Is For Everyone

Black-Philanthropy Month is for everyone. It’s not just for African Americans but everyone who cares about black-communities and the people in them. African American is just a term. It doesn’t define who you are or where you come from. It isn’t a race, country, or continent; it’s neither species nor language. If we can get away with saying “African American” this month, why can’t we use other terms?

 

Facts About Black-Philanthropy

Despite its systematic exclusion, the black community, consistently embodies a generous culture. Here are some facts about black-philanthropy facts.

Black-People Donate More To Charity

“Since 2010, the majority of the wealth in the dataset has been donated to charity by black-families of all races or ethnic groups.” According to a study by the Urban Institute, this includes savings, real estate, pre-owned vehicles, and investment accounts. Although 28 percent of black-donors have an annual household income of less than $50,000, they donate a more significant percentage of their earnings than any other racial group.

Black-Philanthropy Has Been Around for Centuries

Pre-colonial West African culture was characterized by black philanthropy. Enslaved people were relocated to southern plantations after attempting to cross the Atlantic as part of the slave trade. After some of their family members were taken to other farms and never returned, they relied on one another to survive. They also established the custom of one needy neighbor assisting another needy neighbor. This strong heritage and generous culture can be traced back to charity, the birthplace of black philanthropy.

Giving Comes In Many Different Ways

Donations were motivated in the black-community by a desire to uplift and support the community. This motivation remains the driving force behind investment in frontline organizations that support and promote liquidity in the black-community. Consider volunteering at a black-church or another volunteer organization. The black-church was and still is the bedrock of African-American society. It was a haven for mental healing, athletic organization, and the rebuilding and resolution of communal issues. This tradition of service is essential, if not closely connected, with giving. Others’ comprehension of black philanthropy is limited because they do not recognize the various types of donations.

Black Philanthropy Is Philanthropy

The black-community has donated time, money, and other assets to meet their needs in response to what they do not have. Philanthropy is often the outcome of visible or invisible requests for help. Donations in the black-community always have emphasized a strong sense of community responsibility and love. With that in mind, it’s time to shift the narrative and see the black-community as individuals fully engaged in charitable work by developing and supporting solutions to empower one another.

More Americans Are Donating to Causes Related To Racial or Social Justice

A Lilly Family School of Philanthropy study found that a higher percentage of Americans have donated for racial or social justice purposes since 2019. In 2020, 16% of Americans donated to causes related to these issues.


Importance Of Black Philanthropy Month

In observance of black philanthropy month, nonprofits should reflect on the dimensions of racial justice, consider how they will advance their mission, and further build trust with their supporters and communities.

If your organization supports the black-community, you might think about how to make a difference as a nonprofit. You could use this month as an opportunity to connect with organizations serving people of color or other marginalized groups who may not be able to access resources due to systemic barriers such as racism. 

For example, if you are a nonprofit doing great work in your community but have not yet reached out to other organizations or individuals who could help you accomplish your mission better, now is the time to do so.

Black Philanthropy Month is also all about lifting those who are disenfranchised or underserved. It’s not just about raising money but also educating others and using your platform to make a difference. And that’s what we want you to do this month. Use your influence, use your voice and time on social media to share information about the work being done by organizations like the National Urban League or Black-Enterprise magazine, and then share their stories with others.

We encourage everyone to participate in this movement by tweeting, posting on Facebook or Instagram, and sharing the message that Black Philanthropy Month is more than just a time when we celebrate our history and culture. It’s an opportunity for everyone to help lift those who are disenfranchised or underserved.


Conclusion

Black-philanthropists have made a positive impact on black-communities globally. This month we should celebrate their work and look at how they can learn from black business owners and help change the narrative of black-business owners in society.