Since it was initially conceived in 2011 by Dr. Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland, the philanthropic community has celebrated Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) every August. BPM launched an official global summit in its first year to commemorate the United Nations Year and Decade of People of African Descent. In only 13 years, BPM has grown into a worldwide campaign to celebrate the power of Black philanthropy, engaging 19 million participants across 60 countries. While BPM may have only officially begun just over a dozen years ago, Black communities have a long and storied history of philanthropic giving, especially to houses of worship, fraternal organizations, institutions of higher learning, and community-serving organizations. 

The Women Invested to Save Earth (WISE) Fund, founded by Copeland, still runs the celebratory campaign each year, as it has since its inception. Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) is proud to help celebrate BPM by highlighting some of our partners that are Black-led philanthropic organizations. That list includes organizations like Grantmakers for Girls of Color (G4GC), which mobilizes resources in support of girls of color. An RPA sponsored project, G4GC resources and supports organizing work that dismantles systemic oppression in the U.S.

RPA also proudly partners with the Black Trustee Alliance for Art Museums as a sponsored project and Just Beginnings Collaborative, an organization that initiates, cultivates, and funds strategic efforts to end child sexual abuse. The Llewellyn Family Foundation, another RPA partner,  regularly delivers grants to organizations that support various causes, including need-based scholarships within the arts, preparing and resourcing low-income students for higher education, and operating support for increased access to quality primary education.  

This year’s BPM theme is “Afro-Futures of Giving,” activating Afro-futurism’s interdisciplinary and cross-sector movement to imagine an ideal future for Black giving and social finance. This theme seeks to imagine and create a better future rather than look back on a history that has often neglected the power and abilities of Black communities. 

“Traditional philanthropy, rooted in wealth built on colonialism and slavery, often reinforces old power dynamics put in place during that era,” Latanya Mapp, RPA President and CEO, said.  

“How can we be more forward-thinking and future-thinking around what these systems–whether we’re talking about laws, policy, health systems, or, of course, the philanthropy sector–could look like in a better world?” she added.  

As we celebrate the end of another successful BPM, it is essential to reflect on the powerful legacy of Black giving that has shaped communities, driven social change, and created opportunities for future generations. For more information on BPM and to get involved, visit blackphilanthropymonth.com. 

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