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The Power of the Pivot: Honoring the Past and Shaping the Future of Black Philanthropy

By Lisa J. Baxter

Black philanthropy is, and always has been, powerful and ahead of its time. Structured by ancestral lineage, rooted in spirituality, and steeped in community, it is fueled by the intrinsic belief that we are one another’s keepers. As we celebrate Black Philanthropy Month, we pay homage to our history, honor our achievements, and prepare for the urgent work ahead.

As leaders, we choose every day to show up for our organizations. That choice becomes daily practice, and that discipline is serving the greater good, especially in times of deep uncertainty. My mother used to say, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” That will is exactly why Black philanthropy blooms wherever it is cultivated. It holistically addresses the community’s needs beyond the monetary. It develops and empowers future generations, reminding the world that this work is long-standing, born from the historical exclusion of Black communities. This is not just fundraising; it is social justice, community organizing, and true transformation. It is a raising of consciousness about the systems that African Americans have built to propel mutual caring and generosity.

5 Black Philanthropy-Inspired Change Strategies

The strategies for navigating change from this month’s Black Philanthropy fireside chat beautifully align with the Cause Selling Cycle:

1. Lead with Purpose During Times of Change

The leadership required of us today is anchored in purpose, trust, and self-determination. In shifting times, your strategic approach matters. Every decision must prioritize the success of the collective community, mission integrity, core values, and anticipated impact.

2. Build Authentic Relationships That Endure

Authentic, trust-based relationships are the bedrock of organizational success, echoing Phase Two of the Cause Selling Cycle. True community requires sacrifice, time, patience, and intentionality. Embracing this process is the difference between settling for transactional exchanges and cultivating transformational partnerships.

3. Embrace Innovation While Honoring Traditions

In an era of global shifts and rapid AI advancement, philanthropy remains in constant flux. True innovation in the Black community rarely means abandoning our roots; it is a brilliant reframing of how we honor tradition while seizing emerging opportunities. Balancing calculated risks with modern solutions will continue to elevate our work.

4. Develop and Empower Future Leaders

Developing and empowering future generations ensures our rich history of giving continues without interruption. Organizations like the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Greater Los Angeles (AFP-GLAC) provide vital blueprints through mentorship and fellowship programs. These initiatives build sustainable pathways for professional growth and long-term organizational resilience.

5. Advance Collective Impact Through Collaboration

Leveraging shared resources and locking arms allows us to dismantle heavy, systemic barriers while uplifting the community. We cannot operate in silos. We are, and always will be better together.

Reflection Question: Strategies are only as good as the actions they inspire. How will these insights call you to take action?

Where We’ve Been: A Legacy of Will

Our history is rich with centuries-old traditions of mutual aid and community resilience, evidenced by powerful institutional and grassroots milestones:

  • The Smithsonian Institution: The National Museum of African American History and Culture raised over $400 million, largely driven by Black donors and first-time philanthropists. This historic feat permanently shattered the myth of donor apathy, showcasing the immense power of organized giving.
  • Women-Led Grassroots Funds: Innovative models across California, such as the Black Equity Fund at the Inland Empire Community Foundation, are rewriting the rules of philanthropy. By placing grantmaking authority directly into the hands of community members, they ensure funding aligns precisely with real-time needs.

What We’ve Accomplished: Generosity as a Metric

African Americans historically give a higher percentage of their discretionary income to charity than any other racial or ethnic group:

  • The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy: Their Everyday Donors of Color report series analyzed giving trends and verified that African Americans dedicate a larger percentage of their income to charity than other ethnic groups, with high rates of support for congregations and interpersonal community needs.
  • Tides Foundation & NonProfitPRO: Data reveals that Black households give an average of 3% to 4% of their income to charitable causes, significantly outpacing the 1.5% to 3% average of other demographic groups.

Closing Thoughts: The Work Yet to Be Done

Despite clear data, Black philanthropy is often forced to constantly “prove itself,” even though its societal impact extends far beyond our own communities.

I recall serving an organization with a predominantly Black and Latino demographic. Recognizing the need for representative leadership, I proposed creating an inclusive council of local C-Suite leaders to provide fiscal support. I was met with immediate pushbacks and advised focusing elsewhere. The harmful, pervasive belief that African Americans or people of the global majority lack the means or desire to make transformational gifts is an implicit bias that still plagues the nonprofit sector.

If your organization operates with this exclusionary mindset, you are leaving money on the table and missing a sacred opportunity to build a true community. Philanthropy is not a luxury reserved for the wealthy; it flows from anyone with a heart to give and a willingness to sacrifice a greater impact.

Black philanthropy is the power of the pivot in action — the unique nimbleness to shift with the times or strategically stay steps ahead.

That is a legacy always worth celebrating.

Black Philanthropy Month Reads

Author bio:Lisa J. Baxter is the Founder and Chief Community Builder of The Coleman-Baxter Agency, a boutique consulting firm that helps purpose-driven nonprofits and corporations tell stories that inspire action and build deep community. After a successful 19-year career in the nonprofit sector, Lisa pivoted into writing full-time and is currently working on her debut novel. She pens a weekly article on her Substack, “This Is My Time,” where she offers a candid GenX perspective on the realities of writing a first novel while navigating the shifts of midlife. You can connect with her on Instagram and LinkedIn.

References:

  1. Black Philanthropy Month (BPM). 2026. https://backblackmovement.org/blackphilanthropymonth
  2. Barber, A.R. (2021, December 10). Black philanthropy and a common agenda: A case study from the National Museum of African American History. The Greater Public Blog. https://greaterpublic.org/blog/black-philanthropy-and-a-common-agenda-a-case-study-from-the-national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture/
  3. Patterson, K. (2026, February 25). What philanthropy can learn from Black women-led and community-centered funding. Candid. https://candid.org/blogs/community-centered-philanthropy-black-women-leaders/
  4. Indiana University Indianapolis. (2021). Everyday donors of color: Giving trends and patterns. The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. https://scholarworks.indianapolis.iu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/829fe636-91b6-4ea1-a683-e501148e2620/content
  5. Caravalho, L. (2024, August 30). Debunking 3 common myths about Black philanthropy. Tides Foundation. https://www.tides.org/blog/debunking-3-common-myths-about-black-philanthropy/
  6. Cole, A.L. (2023, November 28). 3 takeaways from a new report on giving trends by race. NonProfitPRO. https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/3-takeaways-new-report-giving-trends-race/
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