Responsive Philanthropy in Black Communities Framework

Philanthropy must build the power of, and invest in, the people who are most impacted by the issues we seek to address. With an increased understanding of the strengths and assets of a diverse Black diaspora, funders can be better positioned to address systemic challenges and ensure authentic and inclusive participation of constituents who can voice and act upon their community’s strengths and unique opportunities. 

Philanthropy must address the interaction and relationships between systems and programs (child welfare, corrections, workforce development, homelessness, health, education, etc.) and their inter-connected and cumulative effect on Black communities. Inequitable outcomes in Black communities are reinforced by detrimental policies and direct services across systems. Our team develops and shares tools and processes to increase the capacity of funders and other change agents to understand and address cross-sectional issues.

We must support the leadership capacity of Black communities and strengthen the infrastructure of its core institutions. Black communities are disproportionally impacted by the current trends facing the nonprofit sector: a transition in leadership from baby boomers to a new generation of managers. ABFE is particularly concerned with the lack of Black leadership in large nonprofits that tend to attract more dollars, as well as the lower investments in Black-led nonprofits overall. Giving that builds on the strengths and assets of Black leaders and core institutions that support our community is critical.

Accessibility to comprehensive, disaggregated data is essential to the support of services and funding to Black communities. ABFE advocates for access to data disaggregated across the Black Diaspora that lifts up our strengths as well as our challenges. We advocate for a range of quantitative and qualitative data that emerges from a variety of methods and sectors. To ensure it is recognizable to a varied audience and informs actionable solutions, ABFE promotes the translation of data into user-friendly information which can guide action. In addition, it is critical that evaluation activities to assess program and policy grantmaking tell the full and candid story of its impact on Black communities.

Negative images of Black communities are counter-productive and even impair policy creation and implementation. Foundations are uniquely positioned to help provide the support needed to articulate a more balanced and authentic representation of Black communities. ABFE encourages philanthropy’s proactive use of varied tools and mediums in strategic communications. Meaningful investments in carefully crafted public information can influence a shift in programmatic focus, community behavior, and long-term change.