Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month
Black Philanthropy Month started in 2011 and has been celebrated and elevated every August for over a decade. Here’s a brief overview and how we can all be a part of it now and later!
What is Black Philanthropy Month?
Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) is a month of celebration and renewal of giving to and by African-descent communities. It is a chance to showcase the work of Black Philanthropists, scholars, practitioners, and champions both nationally and globally. According to BlackPhilanthropyMonth.com, BPM is the world’s only global diasporan community coalition and movement to celebrate and empower Black funding in all its forms, from philanthropy to venture and business investment.
History of BPM
It was started by Dr. Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland with the help of 30 female change makers around the globe in 2011. Dr. Copeland is an award-winning innovator and founder/CEO of The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund (WISE).
How you can make a difference!
There are ways that we can all help, outside of donating to organizations that are focused on the Black community.
Reflect and think critically – Dr. Copeland challenged community leaders and others to think about and answer 3 questions in 2024:
1. Describe your ideal future for Black giving and/or social finance.
2. What factors are driving the future of Black giving and social finance available to promote wellness, equity, and justice in Black families, institutions, and communities?
3. What are three concrete actions that you will take as a change agent in your family, community, workplace, and/or other affiliations during 2024 to increase the chances that your vision of a Black Giving Future comes to fruition over the next five years?
Share Knowledge – Help shape the future of black philanthropy by taking the global Black funding futures survey.
Give – Donate to a Black-led organization on the only giving day dedicated to giving to Black nonprofits on Aug. 28th. If you missed this year, anytime afterwards works, too!
Listen – Rochelle Jerry, one of the at-large directors on the AFP Global Board, writes an eloquent piece on “Finding the Joy in Black Philanthropy” from her perspective as a self-identified Black fundraiser.
Educate and Ask – There are a multitude of organizations in the Madison area that focus on Black empowerment and philanthropy. And there are even more now than what is listed here. We encourage you to learn and ask questions of the most influential, kind, and knowledgeable professionals involved with The Center for Black Excellence and Culture project on the south side of Madison. It plans to open in 2025.
Highlight – Great work needs to be highlighted! Let us know here (mnguyen@edgewood.edu) at AFP Greater Madison on the work being done in our community. And lead by example for your fellow fundraising professionals by involving yourself. There are many ways to take part and help our community.
Collaborate – Do you have ideas on how AFP Greater Madison can better support Black philanthropy? Interested in joining forces with other fundraisers who want to help make the sector more equitable? Connect with our IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) Officers Mary Salisbury or Dani Luckett.
