Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month: Stewardship, Leadership and the Art of Giving Back
By: Yolanda F. Johnson, Founder of WOC
What does “Black Philanthropy” mean? Is it Black donors giving to Black causes or is it Black philanthropists giving to society at large? Recently I posed this question to Tracey Webb, the architect of Black Philanthropy Month. She responded, “It’s both.” The beauty of Black Philanthropy lies in the empowerment of the Black community to understand and embrace its legacy of generosity and help move both the world—and the community—forward.
Philanthropic legacy is most often thought of as scions of wealthy non people of color taking the helm of private foundations and leading philanthropic endeavors. That is why I am thrilled about a new book that presents a different perspective. Dr. Tyrone McKinley Freeman tackles this issue in Madam C. J. Walker’s Gospel of Giving: Black Women’s Philanthropy during Jim Crow. As the book demonstrates, Black Philanthropy has a strong and storied history. I asked Dr. McKinley Freeman to share his thoughts on the sense of pride that legacy brings forth in philanthropy and why Black Philanthropy Month is so important in embracing it. He reflected:
"W.E.B. DuBois once wrote, 'Few races are more instinctively philanthropic than the Negro.' Black Philanthropy Month is a global recognition and celebration of that instinct. Across the diaspora, Black people live and breathe it every day. While the professional world of institutional philanthropy has been slow to recognize—and has even ignored—Black generosity, those of us who come from it and practice it have known its depth and power all along. Black Philanthropy Month gives the time and space to celebrate this instinct that has sustained Black communities across time. It's also a time to reflect upon today's challenges and consider how best to continue to mobilize and collaborate to give more. That is the best of this tradition."
We stand on the shoulders of philanthropic giants whose leadership and generosity inspire us. We take pride in Black entrepreneurs, a group that forms one of the largest segments of philanthropy. Business owners bring so much to our communities. Supporting businesses owned by people of color strengthens their philanthropic capabilities. This is why Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WOC), intentionally strives to partner with and amplify the reach of people of color and Black-owned businesses as part of our members-only benefits. As an example, when you last painted your home did you automatically reach for Behr or Sherwin-Williams paint swatches? Did you know a Black-owned paint option exists? Recently, we were introduced to Clare, a paint company owned by a Black woman that is beautifying thousands of homes across the nation.
We stand on the shoulders of philanthropic giants whose leadership and generosity inspire us.
However, we need more than just Black philanthropists. We need a robust leadership pipeline of fundraisers of color and a support mechanism that empowers them to succeed. A 2019 Cause Effective study found that an overwhelming majority of respondents (fundraisers of color) were ready, willing and able to strengthen engagement with donors of color but faced systemic challenges in fulfilling this desire. When asked how fundraisers of color can be even more intentional about the ways that they approach and steward donors of color, Dr. McKinley Freeman offered the following:
"First, I would say to fundraisers of color, take care of yourself in this moment of global racial reckoning. Your organizations are trying to figure out what all of this means and may be asking things of you that can feel burdensome and emotionally draining. Navigating such expectations can be challenging on top of everything else. Be gentle with yourself and don't be afraid to ask for what you need to get through. Second, national studies indicate that people of color report lower rates of being asked to give, serve and participate than whites. And yet they come from rich and long traditions of giving and community engagement.
There is a critical role for fundraisers of color to play in creating for donors of color equal opportunity for engagement, but the responsibility is not theirs alone. The field created this problem, and the field needs to correct it. It can start by valuing donors of color, including them fully in their donor development program, and by tailoring and resourcing outreach efforts to them.
Lastly, even fundraisers of color can benefit from the reminder that communities of color are not monolithic. Sharing a social identity with a prospective donor can be advantageous, but one should expect to work even harder when it comes to rebuilding trust, overcoming suspicion, and determining how best to engage a particular donor."
We are all part of this cycle of good work. The dynamic between the person of color fundraiser and the person of color donor is the linchpin on which the virtuous circle turns. That is why I am proud WOC works to bring these two communities together.
Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WOC)® will host two programs with Dr. McKinley Freeman later this fall. Details will be released next week regarding details about how you can participate in the series.
Yolanda F. Johnson, Founder of WOC
With more than two decades of experience in the non-profit sector, Yolanda F. Johnson has successfully led fundraising operations for a wide range of non-profit organizations, launching creative event, sponsorship and marketing initiatives that produced new streams of both contributed and earned income. Her fundraising expertise includes securing foundation, corporate, and government funding and cultivating a diverse major gifts portfolio.
In addition to leading YFJ Consulting, LLC, Yolanda is the Founder of WOC, Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy™ and President of Women In Development (WID), NY, the NYC area's premier professional organization for women in fundraising and philanthropy. Yolanda has also had an outstanding career as a performing artist, as a composer, as a producer, as an educator, and she has used her background as a performer to become a sought-after fundraising expert.
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