Philanthropy, by definition, means “love of humanity.” Yet today, the term refers almost exclusively to a systemic transfer of wealth. In that contraction, we’ve lost sight of the full spectrum of what giving can be.
How might the tradition of giving within Black communities equip philanthropy in reclaiming its core purpose?
A Masterclass in Giving
Research conducted by scholars like Dr. Tyrone McKinley Freeman reveals that philanthropy is more than a concept in Black communities; it is a foundational cornerstone of the culture.
We see this in visible milestones that have reshaped the American landscape:
- The philanthropic legacy of Madam C.J. Walker. Her strategic generosity at the turn of the 20th century didn’t just sustain institutions like the NAACP; it pioneered a model of economic empowerment. Beyond direct donations, she devised a program that trained thousands of Black women as independent “Hair Culturists.” By encouraging her agents to organize local clubs that tackled community issues, she ensured that her business success directly fueled generational social uplift.
- The transformative generosity of Robert F. Smith. In 2019, his pledge to eliminate the student debt of an entire graduating class challenged donors to rethink the scale of individual impact.
- The $4 million+ raised at Morehouse College. The 38th annual “A Candle in the Dark” Gala, held this February, served as a living example of how storytelling in motion inspires generation-shifting investment. The organizing committee infused the “Morehouse Mystique” into every detail: from the host selection to the stories of student and alumni excellence, every element reflected the college’s signature aesthetic and deep-rooted brotherhood. Each touchpoint illuminated the intangible value being preserved through communal investment. Finally, by trading traditional gala exclusivity for inclusion via live-stream, they invited the world into collective ownership of the mission.
Give Like It Matters
While the fundraising industry tries to move donors from transactional to transformational giving, Black communities have modeled this for centuries. This giving is rooted in practices that transcend simple exchange: the tithing that sustains a neighborhood, a neighbor’s warm meal, or the generational stewardship of daily community care.
In the 2022 study conducted by the Donors of Color Network, Philanthropy Always Sounds Like Someone Else: A Portrait of High Net Worth Donors of Color, participants cited the “churches in their hometowns or the open spot at their grandmother’s table” as the foundation of their philanthropic identity. Whether it’s a billionaire’s transformative gift to their alma mater or a grandmother baking for a fundraiser, the core is the same: a deep, personal stake in the well-being of the collective.
The Architecture of Story
Our industry relies on storytelling as a fundamental tool of fundraising. However, in Black networks, story is the primary architecture of the mission. For centuries, a rich oral tradition has preserved the heart of communal giving.
As Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard illustrates in Collective Courage, these narratives function as documentation for cooperative care. Within jokes and banter, the receipts of impact emerge: a free neighborhood computer program, a meal from a local shop owner, or a quiet gift from a neighbor.
While rooted in oral tradition, this mastery of narrative has proven its power across every medium—from the front porch to the digital landscape. What can philanthropy learn from cases for support as told by Black grandfathers, filmmakers, and TikTokers? One lesson is this: stories that transmit cultural truth and identity show the next generation exactly how and why a community takes care of its own.
There Are Black People in the Future of Philanthropy
Artist Alisha B. Wormsley coined the prophetic phrase, “There Are Black People in the Future.” This statement taps into a profound truth about the necessity of Black thought, vision, and leadership in our collective tomorrow. Our industry is no exception. In an era of rapid disruption, the networks of care that have sustained Black communities offer a vision of a philanthropy built to endure.
As Black History Month comes to a close, we continue to learn from Black leaders as they deconstruct the rigid structures of modern philanthropy for the benefit of the industry as a whole. At Parisleaf, we work to create space for a more robust, impactful future that centers all types of giving, from grassroots support to knowledge, time, and community care.
Who We’re Learning From
These are some of the leaders in our network who are architecting the future of giving through equity, vision, and community-centered leadership:
- Brenda Asare, CEO at Alford Group — For her national leadership in amplifying community-centered giving.
- Dwayne Ashley, President and CEO at Bridge Philanthropic Consulting—for his remarkable advocacy in creating opportunities for people of color and raising billions to empower their growth.
- Dr. Gloria A. Chance, CEO of The Mousai Group—for innovating at the intersection of creativity and psychology to build inclusion through the power of imagination and storytelling.
- Captain Darell Houseton, Divisional Secretary and Area Coordinator for The Salvation Army Newark—for his visionary work in transformational giving and community-centered support.
- Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv, Filmmaker & Host of Black Philanthropy: Our Stories—for amplifying the voices of Black leaders and reimagining a philanthropy rooted in authentic narrative.
- V. Faith Montgomery, Executive Vice President & Managing Director at Lindauer—for architecting more equitable leadership pipelines and ensuring excellence in the executive search process for mission-driven organizations.
- Kim Nyoni, Vice President for Institutional Advancement & Executive Director of Farmingdale College Foundation — For his mission of “unshackling greatness” and his leadership in evolving the philanthropic landscape to transform institutions.
- Connie Rule, Chief of Strategic Partnerships at Mercy Housing—for redefining sustainable giving through equity-centered strategies that create lasting value for both mission and community.
- April Walker, MSW, Founder of Philanthropy For the People—for her pivotal leadership in dismantling traditional hierarchies to center equity and restore power to communities.
- Carla Willis, Managing Principal at Washburn & McGoldrick—for her leadership in higher education advancement and her commitment to building inclusive donor ecosystems.
We encourage you to follow and engage with these trailblazers. The blueprint for the future lies in both their vision and the ancestral legacy of giving in Black communities. Our task is to learn, listen, and lead with a spirit of collective care, giving credit where it is truly due.
When we open the lens of fundraising, we don’t just find more money. We invite a more transformative, enduring impact.
Sources
Donors of Color Network. (2022). Philanthropy always sounds like someone else: A portrait of high-net-worth donors of color.
Freeman, T. P. (2020). Madam C. J. Walker’s gospel of giving: Black women’s philanthropy during Jim Crow. University of Illinois Press.
Gordon Nembhard, J. (2014). Collective courage: A history of African American cooperative economic thought and practice. Pennsylvania State University Press.
Wormsley, A. B. (2017). There are Black people in the future [Public art project].