The reasons that African American individuals, families and organizations make philanthropic contributions are as diverse and disparate as the black community itself. Historically, as now, African Americans often donate to address the myriad disparities caused by the persistent and pernicious systemic racism that has plagued our country since before its inception. Of course, other motivations for Black philanthropy align with general rationales for giving including social and civic engagement, shared interest, personal experience with a particular cause, or faith-based affiliation.
Per capita, African Americans give a larger percentage of their income to charity or nonprofits than White households, according to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. There are certainly examples of business leaders and other financially successful people who may give substantial amounts, but a lot of Black giving is in the form of more personal mutual reliance such as money in an envelope given to a family to help with funeral expenses or family giving circles to cover college tuition. There are also indirect contributions such as providing meals to a neighbor in need or taking in a child rather than seeing them go into foster care.
Black Philanthropy generally falls into three categories: “Cornerstone” (giving to higher education and the arts), “Kinship” (donating to organizations serving the Black Community), and “Sanctified” (supporting Black churches), according to Michelle Singletary of The Washington Post.
For example, The Links, INC is a Black women’s social organization established in 1946. It is one of the nation’s largest volunteer service organizations committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and others of African ancestry. I have been a member of the founding chapter in Philadelphia.
The United Negro College Fund, founded in 1944, has raised billions of dollars to provide scholarships for students who attend HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities).
AAWGT members may have heard about The Divine Nine which has been in the news lately. These are the most prominent African American college fraternities and sororities mainly founded at the turn of the 20th century. Generally, they are committed to public service, scholarship, economic empowerment and social change. The Divine Nine and their members wield substantial influence in society and culture.
The Divine Nine are:
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. - 1906-Cornell University
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - 1908-Howard University (I am a member of Alpha Delta chapter at Morgan State University)
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. -1913-Howard University
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. -1911-Indiana University Bloomington
- Omega Psi Phi, Inc. - 1911- Howard University
- Phi Beta Sigma Inc. - 1914-Howard University
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - 1920-Howard University
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. - 1922-Butler University in Indiana
- Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. - 1963-Morgan State University - Founded during the Civil Rights Movement
As to faith-based giving, Asbury United Methodist in Annapolis and St. James Episcopal Church in Baltimore both serve the local community through their ministries and are supported by their congregations’ donations. St. James Church provides food pantries and sponsors seminars and health screenings that have included diabetes, prostate, mental health, HIV, skin cancer, high blood pressure and healthy eating. Asbury United Methodist Church is a dues paying member of Anne Arundel Connecting Together (ACT). Asbury was one of the founding congregations of what is today the Annapolis Light House Homeless Prevention Support Center. They continue their ministry by providing meals and other items to those in need.
African Americans give for complex reasons. They want to help the community at large but want to know that our community is included. I look to the organizations I give to, to have diverse boards, diverse memberships and diverse communities that they support. We do give to St. Jude, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society. Sylvia and Eddie Brown gave $6 million to the Maryland Institute College of Art. To attract new donors, we need to tell our story person-to-person. What is compelling about AAWGT is that our contribution goes to the giving circle and the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County and is a two-for-one. Contributors have a say in the grants to be funded and we all get a vote. Also, AAWGT is a way to network and engage in fellowship with other women. I think if we tell the stories of women in the giving circle and stories from our grantees, it will make an impact.
Younger potential Black donors are interested in measurable and tangible impacts from their contributions. They also want to make sure that Black voices are an authentic part of the grant-making decision process. Strategies for attracting young Black donors could include targeted outreach to fraternities and sororities which include specific descriptions of expected outcomes and impact. As with any donor cultivation plan, there should be multiple ways for young donors to contribute, and at various levels – and AAWGT has made that a reality.
