August marks Black Philanthropy Month, a global celebration that highlights the rich history, traditions, and impact of Black giving. Rooted in community care and collective responsibility, Black philanthropy has long extended beyond formal institutions, showing up in faith communities, mutual aid, cultural preservation, and movements for justice. This month offers an opportunity to recognize both the enduring legacy and the contemporary leadership of Black philanthropists. It also encourages us to reflect on how our own practices can honor and amplify this tradition of generosity.
Here are some resources our team is engaging with this month:
August marks Black Philanthropy Month, now part of the BackBlack movement, a global initiative designed to reimagine Black-led giving through celebration, investment, and community building. Organized under the leadership of Floyd Jones and honoring original founder Dr. Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland, the initiative centers the transformative power of collective giving—even as Black-led movements face intensifying challenges to equity and representation. As we observe this month, we are invited to not just honor Black giving traditions but to elevate them through action, investing in the future of inclusive philanthropy.
Dr. Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland, founder of Black Philanthropy Month, reflects on the movement’s remarkable growth since 2011, from its roots in spotlighting Black giving to its recognition by the United Nations and engagement of more than 100 million people across 60 countries. Her leadership has helped bring attention to systemic funding inequities, where Black-led nonprofits receive only a fraction of philanthropic support despite significant giving within Black communities. Now transitioning to International Chair Emerita, Dr. Copeland passes leadership to Floyd Jones and a global council, who will guide BPM’s future as a force for building a self-sustaining Black funding economy. Her ongoing work through the WISE Fund and the AGAPE initiative continues to expand funding pathways across the Black Diaspora. The piece emphasizes that Black philanthropy is both cultural tradition and an urgent call to action, and invites readers to support BPM through advocacy, investment, and active participation in shaping financial equity.
The National Philanthropic Trust highlights the deep historical roots of Black philanthropy, tracing giving traditions from the first mutual aid societies of the 1600s through Reconstruction, the Great Migration, and into modern grassroots networks. Figures like Madam C.J. Walker exemplify how entrepreneurial success fueled charitable work in support of Black communities, while studies show that Black families today continue to give a larger share of their wealth to philanthropic causes than any other group, despite persistent wealth inequities. The article also underscores how giving circles and community-based funds are democratizing philanthropy and amplifying under-resourced voices. Taken together, the history and present-day practices remind us that Black philanthropy has always been about resilience, justice, and community strength. For those looking to engage, this resource points toward ongoing opportunities to learn from this legacy, support local giving circles, and celebrate Black Philanthropy Month.
The Back Black Movement offers an impactful way for Black-led nonprofits to access funding this August, during Black Philanthropy Month. Organizations must join the free Back Black Directory to be eligible. With over $50,000 distributed via direct grants and campaigns—including microgrants from Givebutter, Zeffy, Grapevine, and a new Back Black Impact Grant—this initiative ensures access to capital through streamlined, low-barrier funding opportunities.
Art has long served as a powerful vehicle for truth-telling, healing, and social change. The Grand Rapids Community Foundation highlighted this a few years ago during Black Philanthropy Month by spotlighting artists Asia Horne and Jasmine Bruce, whose work and community leadership embody the intersection of creativity and activism. Both played key roles in Windows GR, a project born out of the grief and unrest following George Floyd’s murder. By transforming boarded-up windows into canvases for expression, the initiative created space for dialogue, collective healing, and the elevation of Black voices.
While the project sparked both praise and pushback, its impact was undeniable: it inspired new murals, built stronger artist networks, and pushed the community toward deeper conversations on racial justice.
