Giving Black®: Hampton Roads GIVING BLACK®: GREATER RICHMOND THE GENESIS OF AMERICAN BLACK PHILANTHROPY BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ REPORT FALL 2021
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT, NEBiP
WHY GIVING BLACK®: HAMPTON ROADS? DEAR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, NEBiP was delighted to have had the opportunity to author the report, Giving Black®: Hampton Roads, The Genesis of American Black Philanthropy. Hampton Roads is singular in its effect and impact. Through the gifts of inventiveness, protection, support and sometimes even life itself, Blacks here gave more than their share. Hampton Roads, the oldest continuous Black community in the United States, is the beginning of Black resilience, freedom, and fearlessness. Its recent commemoration of 1619 and the forced arrival of the first Africans in the British colonies has refocused national and global attention on its significance. The intent of the report was not to provide an exhaustive account of Hampton Roads’ 400-year history, but instead, to offer a portrayal of the rich tapestry of Black giving from which we can build a different foundation.
We hope that you take a moment to hear the voices of your community. This is a community, a Black community, who is vibrant and dynamic, with a wealth of assets to contribute to the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. Philanthropy is measured by time, talent, ties and testimony, with treasure being only a portion of our gifts for our communities. By harnessing the power of the Black Hampton Roads community, the foundation can bring forth a diversity of solutions and opportunities to match or supersede the needs of the community.
The foundational aspects of Black philanthropic practices in Hampton Roads still resonate in our soul today. The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is in an enviable position of having a community ready to act and seize the day. We were fortunate to work with a group of dedicated community members who served on the Advisory Council. Collectively, they gave more than 500 hours to ensure that the breadth and depth of the study reflected Hampton Roads. We hope that the Hampton Roads Community Foundation will continue to engage the intellectual capital of the region as it seeks to build a more inclusive and equitable community.
As we extend our appreciation and gratitude to the hundreds of people who participated in this study, we want to take a moment to thank the Board of Directors for the opportunity to engage the community of Hampton Roads. We hope that this work will have a lasting impact on your work and an influence on the organizational theory of change to go beyond the rhetoric of racial equality to the intentional action of racial and social equity. Preparing for a more equitable future takes real work and we hope that you use our report to inform, reform and transform the practice of philanthropy in Hampton Roads.
Most of all, we would like to highlight that staff matters! The dedication of Vivian Oden and Robin Foreman-Wheeler to the community of Hampton Roads resonated throughout the study. As ambassadors of the foundation, they are a force for good that is indefatigable. Board members Sharon S. Goodwyn and the Honorable Jerrauld C. Jones were sage advisors and the impetus in creating the report for the Board of Directors. The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is blessed to have such a dedicated board and employees to lead the charge for racial and social equity.
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Sincerely,
Bithiah Carter President, NEBiP
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SUMMARY OF GIVING BLACK®: HAMPTON ROADS GIVING BIRTH TO A TRADITION OF GIVING
HIGHLIGHTS OF HAMPTON ROADS SURVEY FINDINGS
Hampton Roads has a unique place in the history of Black philanthropy. The traits that characterized Black giving in Hampton Roads throughout its history are visible in communities across the nation even as philanthropic practices grew and evolved over time. Africans brought with them to the new colonies a tradition of giving, caring and sharing. For the Giving Black®: Hampton Roads study, all survey respondents, focus group participants and interviewees were located in Virginia. Black donors’ views reflect a thoughtful, vibrant donor community, which serves as a key asset for the region. Survey respondents discussed the meaning of philanthropy in the Black community, philanthropy’s shortcomings and its transformative potential. Asked to define philanthropy, Black donors mentioned White philanthropists like Bill Gates or “someone who was extremely rich” and that philanthropy is “something that other people…that White people do.” One donor noted, “My sense is that ordinary citizens view philanthropy as something outside of his or her reach… something that the very wealthy do. They don’t think of what they do ordinarily in terms of being philanthropic.”
• Top ranking of economic stability/wealth building as Black donors’ most important issue with racial and social justice following as a close 2nd • Nine out of ten Black donors strongly support their donations for Black-led nonprofits but three-quarters of Black donors reported volunteering in Black and non-Black communities • Nearly one-third of Black donors reported total donations of $5,000+ over the past twelve months (Average donation of all US households is $2,514) • 40% of Black donors reported no financial contributions to traditional civil rights organizations over the past twelve months • Two-thirds of Black donors reported having a wealth management plan but not necessarily a philanthropic legacy plan • Nearly all Black donors reported that their fate is linked to the Black community as a whole
Historically, Black voices have often been missing from the philanthropy conversation. The Giving Black® Hampton Roads report highlights the many assets of the Black community. It helps to amplify Black voices and celebrate their philanthropic contributions. This report is an opportunity for Hampton Roads to work collaboratively with the Black community to identify community needs and solutions to bring about transformational change. – Vivian M. Oden, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
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Official State Map, Pre-Civil War Hampton Roads – Public Domain
HAMPTON ROADS IS...
DIVERSE & DYNAMIC THE GENESIS OF AMERICAN BLACK PHILANTHROPY
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RESILIENT
SPIRITUALLY GROUNDED
FEARLESS
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A BRIEF SNAPSHOT OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS THE 5 “Ts” OF PHILANTHROPY
Ties matter – Visionaries for Change reflects the contemporary landscape for Black Giving
Representative tapestry of 19 Black leaders on the Advisory Council
89% of survey donors volunteer
TIME
TALENT
41% of surveyed donors give in the locality where they work and live
TREASURE
TIES
Over 2/3 of higher income Black donors believe it is important to support Black-led organizations
TESTIMONY
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A NEW RISING TIDE
RANKING OF DISCRETIONARY PHILANTHROPIC GIVING
EDUCATION
84% bachelor’s degree or higher
Education 37%
INCOME
Church/religious organizations 16%
43% income of $120K and higher
Family and friends in need 12%
OPPORTUNITY Social justice/racial equity 8%
29% of donors with annual household income of $250K+ believe that Hampton Roads is a place of economic opportunity
Direct service agencies 7% Economic stability/ wealth building 6%
PHILANTHROPY
25% of donors with annual income of $250K+ give more than $25K ECONOMIC STABILITY / WEALTH BUILDING
#1 most important issue WHEN AND WHERE I GIVE… Survey findings reflect the importance Black donors place on seeing racial equity reflected in an organization’s programming and leadership.
WEALTH MANAGEMENT DONOR RANKING OF TOPICS 1
Getting family engaged (develop strategic family philanthropic plans) – 26%
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Types of charitable giving (e.g., giving circle, impact investing) – 25%
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Role of charitable giving in overall management – 24%
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More information on pressing social issues – 24%
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Other – 1%
Over the next several decades, the expected transfer of roughly $30 trillion in assets from older generations to Generation X can vastly reshape the philanthropic landscape. Survey respondents expressed interest in several wealth management topics but ranked strategic family planning as a top learning priority, closely followed by interest in various types of charitable giving and the role of charitable giving in overall financial management.
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G I V I N G B L AC K ® : H A M P TO N R OA D S
HISTORY AT A GLANCE
Led by Gowan Pamphlet, free and enslaved Blacks met in secret to worship. These gatherings evolved into the first organized Black Baptist Church in the 1780s, which later became First Baptist Church of Williamsburg.
1619
There were 20 Blackowned banks in Virginia and half of these were in Hampton Roads. Norfolk had three, and the Suffolk area had one, Phoenix Bank of Nansemond. The bank served the farmers and laborers of Suffolk and surrounding Nansemond County.
1875 1700s
The first Blacks, who were enslaved, arrived at Point Comfort, today’s Fort Monroe in Hampton, with a rich history of experience in financial enterprises.
The construction of Aberdeen Gardens, a 400-acre subdivision in Hampton, began. It was the only community in the United States designed by a Black American architect and built by Black American contractors and laborers. The seven streets within the community, excluding Aberdeen Road, are named for prominent Black Americans.
1923 1900
The Black community in Norfolk established a YMCA. It later was named William A. Hunton YMCA, after the first full-time, paid director.
1950 1934
The Attucks Theatre opened and is the oldest remaining theatre in the nation that was completely financed, designed, constructed, and operated by Black Americans. The theatre was named after Crispus Attucks.
Seven Norfolk business leaders created Virginia’s first community foundation, The Norfolk Foundation, to support communities who have historically been disadvantaged. The Norfolk Foundation later merged with the Virginia Beach Foundation to create the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.
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A group of Black American philanthropists joined together to form the African American Leadership Society at the United Way of South Hampton Roads.
1990-2016
The Hampton Roads Community Foundation made a commitment to focus on racial equity and hosted the first-ever regional Black Philanthropy Month celebration in August.
2008 2007
Black professionals joined together to create numerous organizations to provide programs and scholarships in the Black community. Those organizations include Friends of Hampton Roads, 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula, Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men, and New Chesapeake Men for Progress. Black BRAND was formed to serve as a Black Chamber of Commerce and promote group economics and community empowerment.
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The Black Community Partnership Fund was launched at the Hampton Roads Community Foundation with a $1 million grant from Facebook. The fund will provide grants to Black-led and Black-serving local nonprofits. At the conclusion of the Giving Black study research, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation will work with Visionaries for Change and the Advisory Council on how the data can direct the next steps on a more equitable and inclusive philanthropic Hampton Roads community.
2019 2018
The first endowed fund was established by a Black American donor at the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.
2021
Black business and civic leaders in Hampton Roads established Visionaries for Change, a giving circle to support charitable causes in the Black community.
All photos except “1619” Source: Hampton History Museum
PERSPECTIVES ON HAMPTON ROADS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Donors described their views about specific local organizations, including the Hampton Roads Community Foundation (HRCF). Several commended the Foundation’s COVID-19 efforts and its recent programming targeting Black communities. An interviewee offered, “the Foundation has a high profile, but not in the Black community.” One donor believed that the Foundation had been “making really good traction among Black professionals” before COVID-19, and its COVID-19 efforts were great. Some hoped the Foundation would assume a more visible role in highlighting the region’s racial disparities. They believed the Foundation could serve as an influencer on racial equity within the region, a strategy that could also raise its profile in Hampton Roads’ Black communities. Here are some representative views from our respondents.
HRCF: ITS PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITY POSITIVE COMMENTS Introduction to HRCF. I happened to stumble across them through reading an article in the newspaper. And when I read this lady had donated her monies to the Foundation and what the Foundation was doing with the monies—helping other people go to school with scholarships and everything…that is so neat and I wanted to do something like that. That inspired and motivated me to contact them to find out more and participate.
Importance of networks. I learned about what Vivian was doing through [my] Black friends, so again it’s part of the network and having the exposure. But there’s a lot of people that do not know about these organizations. AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT Blacks’ lack of awareness of HRCF. Okay, I really do think that I am going to have to give Vivian credit… you know, to get people signed up for the Visionaries for Change. She really reached out to get people signed up for it. I think that’s what the Community Foundation had to do because the Black community, most of them, did not even know it existed. Blacks’ lack of awareness of HRCF. I think they [Blacks] are just starting to see the Community Foundation. I think that was part of our issue, that Black people really did not know what the Community Foundation did if they had not heard of it. Blacks’ lack of awareness of HRCF. I talked to Black professionals and they said, “Community Foundation…what do they do and what are they?” Blacks’ lack of awareness of HRCF. Generally speaking, I think the profile has been high, but only among a certain part of the community, which was not the Black community. [HRCF has] a very low profile.
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PARTNERSHIP WITH HRCF POSITIVE HRCF COMMENTS Rationale for HRCF contributions. I have listened to Hampton Roads Foundation--I realized they were doing a lot and a lot of my contributions go there.
HRCF can be an influencer on racial equity. I think the Community Foundation can be a leader and help shine a light on the issues of the racial divide, and in a way, that some White people, who might not listen or acknowledge it coming from other entities, would hear it. Whether they [HRCF} will jump on the bandwagon and agree with it, I don’t know.
HRCF leading conversations on Black philanthropy. Outside of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, I can’t think of any organization that is doing that [conversations about Black philanthropy].
How HRCF can lead on racial equity. [The] Community Foundation can say these issues [racial disparities] are legitimate, get people to acknowledge those issues exist and then play a role in addressing these issues, whether through grants or initiatives.
HRCF engagement of Black community. I assume Hampton Roads is the only major community foundation that has significant African American involvement.
HRCF and momentum in the post-COVID era. [The Foundation] has got to regain momentum in terms of public awareness in the post-COVID era…the work continues.
HRCF and strategic Black philanthropy. I think the Hampton Roads Community Foundation is doing a good job bringing people together and getting people to think kind of strategically. HRCF’s work in Black community. When you begin to see the work that the Hampton Roads Community Foundation is doing in the community, which is not just giving grants, but giving scholarships and managing people’s endowments and that kind of thing. They are using their resources to tackle issues in a community. HRCF’s traction in Black community. There is a lot of interest and enthusiasm, and energy and passion for trying to do some good things. The Foundation, as the lead sponsoring agent of all that, was just beginning, I think, to come to the notice of people. AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT HRCF lack of focus on racial disparities. I don’t think the focus has been on the kind of issues and problems that we’re talking about. HRCF and progress on racial disparities. I think we’re still kind of climbing slowly up that hill.
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BLACK RESERVATIONS ABOUT FOUNDATIONS’ GRANTMAKING Donation Destination. The Community Foundation is not the only place people are putting their money. Black donors concerns about foundations. As an ethnicity, we want to ensure that our dollars are going to the right people when we look at the larger philanthropic foundations. Black reservations about grantmaking for Black communities. I think Blacks as a general rule, have a concern or question about where those grants are given. We tend to think that they don’t reach us [or] it doesn’t reach down far enough to the people who really need it, [where] we can see a direct impact. So, we have concerns when we give directly to United Way or directly to somebody’s foundation. When you look at the list of people who received grants, they tend to be from some of these larger foundations.
IMPACT OF VISIONARIES FOR CHANGE Visionaries for Change and rationale for joining. I wish I knew of a group that [evaluated the impact of Black giving] and that’s why I joined Visionaries. Visionaries for Change and HRCF. The Hampton Roads Community Foundation, I think, has done a phenomenal job in rounding up a bunch [of people] and forming an organization called Visionaries for Change. Visionaries for Change and HRCG. [The] Community Foundation is the appropriate vehicle and why the Visionaries are so valuable…because that’s a level that most people can give to even without inheritance. HRCF promotion of Visionaries for Change. The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is doing such a good job promoting the Visionaries.
Visionaries for Change and increased awareness. You know Visionaries has opened my eyes to a lot of things that that are going on, that I wasn’t aware of, and that other people aren’t aware of. Visionaries for Change and Black empowerment. I was exceptionally happy when the Black Visionaries for Change came into existence…because I think that’s a step in the right direction and I’m all about empowering the Black community. Let us be the ones to give and not always asking.
STAFF MATTERS Vivian, recruitment for Visionaries for Change. Okay, I really do think that I am going to have to give Vivian credit… you know, to get people signed up for the Visionaries for Change. She really reached out to get people signed up for it. Vivian as change agent. Vivian is tremendous she is a force to be reckoned with. She has been such a wonderful partner in this work…she’s pushing the needle.
The Giving Black® Hampton Roads report is only the beginning of the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented throughout our work and the work of the many nonprofit organizations serving the Hampton Roads community. – Robin C. Foreman-Wheeler, MBA, SHRM-CP
Vice President for Administration
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HAMPTON ROADS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
Giving Black®: Hampton Roads, The Genesis of American Black Philanthropy offers insight into current Black giving practices. It highlights early Black giving, as well as Black donors’ current attitudes, behaviors, practices and motivation. Our study engaged nearly 600 individuals in various phases over a 15-month period. Our purpose is to present a holistic view of Black donors, rather than understand donors for the sole purpose of donor cultivation. Our goal is to correct inaccuracies and clarify misperceptions about Black donors and Black philanthropy in Hampton Roads to inform conversations about donor value and future potential. To ground our recommendations, we used research and data as touchstones, as well as the invaluable input and feedback from the many Black donors in Hampton Roads. It is their voice, interests and aspirations that we hope to amplify through the following recommendations:
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Develop a regional strategy of economic stability and wealth building to strengthen bonds between different Black donors and communities of Hampton Roads
Several Black donors noted Hampton Roads Black communities are not monolithic and that care should be exercised when referring to a “Hampton Roads Black community.” Black donors varied in their definition of “Black community,” from a “community of interest” with no specific geographical boundaries, to referring only to those living in a specific city or even neighborhood. As one donor added, “Blacks in Norfolk and Newport News do not always get along.” Despite these differences, survey findings revealed Black donors across gender, region and education were in agreement that economic stability and wealth building is the top social issue in Hampton Roads’ Black communities. This consensus could form the basis of a unifying agenda between the various Black communities that make up Hampton Roads.
IMPLICATIONS Hampton Roads Community Foundation sits in an enviable position of having the ability to create a region-wide agenda that could bring together a range of interests. A plan to support collective economic wellbeing could serve as a unifying project to engage local community, civic and corporate leaders to strengthen the connections of donors of color.
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Develop and coalesce around an agenda that values and elevates strategic Black philanthropy
This study highlights Hampton Roads’ rich legacy and robust Black giving practices. Many respondents noted their giving is not recognized as philanthropic by others within and outside the Black community. As one donor added, “it is just something that I do.” Donors also perceive a discounting of non-monetary Black giving, even as they note non-monetary contributions are valuable aspects of Black giving. Donor interviews and focus groups revealed that some Black donors lack a strong intentionality in their giving. Several commented, “I can’t explain it, I just give” and another added, “I give what I like.” Black donors expressed a strong interest in learning about strategic wealth planning for their families, presenting an opportunity to develop an agenda on Black strategic giving. A strategic agenda would identify the expected outcomes of Black giving in Hampton Roads, both at an individual and community level. The philanthropic community can play a key role by sponsoring events and investing in programs and initiatives that focus on Black strategic giving. IMPLICATIONS As a result of the Giving Black®: Hampton Roads study, the Foundation’s Board of Directors is now armed with qualitative and quantitative information to use in building performance metrics to increase the number of philanthropists from communities of color to support communities of color.
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Nurture, cultivate and advance the pipeline of the next generation of Black philanthropic leaders across all levels of philanthropy
Younger Black donors are at the helm of newer social and racial justice efforts, organizations and movements. They bring valuable perspectives and knowledge to the philanthropic landscape. Their inclusion should not be perfunctory, as their leadership development and cultivation will be key to ensuring the present and future success of Black voices, leadership and investment in philanthropy. A Black donor commented that “a serious leadership challenge” exists. Younger Black philanthropic leaders lack the networks, access and mentoring to prepare them for expanded leadership positions in nonprofits, foundations and boards. Their access will be critical to ensuring a healthy philanthropic landscape that invests in Black communities. Younger Black donors were more likely than their older counterparts to believe that initiatives in Hampton Roads did improve lives. They were as likely to believe in linked fate as well. A serious acknowledgment of their present contributions is needed. Their underestimated potential should be developed and the engagement of younger donors should be encouraged, promoted and protected.
IMPLICATIONS Many younger donors want change now. The Foundation can use this data to understand culturally responsive philanthropy and create strategies for the Black community to use philanthropy as a vehicle of activism and change. By prioritizing the influence of communities of color in the distribution of philanthropic resources, not just perfunctory activities, the Foundation will attract younger leaders.
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Build upon the inroads into the region’s Black communities by sponsoring events and programs focused on their topics of interest
The Hampton Roads Community Foundation sponsored a variety of programs of interest to the region’s Black community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given COVID-19, nonprofits and the philanthropic community have made notable inroads in the Black community. But as the region continues to emerge from the pandemic, how will the philanthropic community sustain that momentum and traction? The Foundation’s programs and events attracted hundreds, if not a few thousand, participants and earned the Foundation positive reviews from the region’s Black professionals. This momentum could continue, with the Foundation leading the way, by highlighting priority topics of Black donors, such as racial disparities. This would increase the Foundation’s visibility within Black communities, while signaling the Foundation’s public position on racial equity. IMPLICATIONS The visiblity of the Foundation matters to the community that it serves. The Foundation’s visibility increased during the pandemic, so there is an expectation that the Foundation will maintain its presence and remain as an accessible vehicle to support equitable change.
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Invest in building a network or cohort of Black-led organizations to amplify and increase Black communities’ awareness of their presence, influence and successes
Most Black donors believe it is very important to direct their donation dollars to Black-led organizations. Donor support of Black-led organizations was greater than their support of organizations that exclusively focus on Black issues. It is important for Black donors to see racial equity reflected in an organization’s programming and its leadership. As indicated in
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the report, Black donors want more information about Blackled organizations, but the information is not readily accessible. One option is investing in a strategic communications scan of Black-led organizations to understand Black donors’ sources of information, and messages and outreach that most resonate. IMPLICATIONS Hampton Roads Community Foundation could work to increase cross pollination of ideas/strategies related to increasing the visibility of Black-led organizations as not just part of an initiative – like the $1,000,000 Facebook grant - but an important part of the fabric of civic life. By highlighting and leveraging the assets, not just the deficits of Black communities, Black-led organizations can extend their outreach and influence.
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Amplify the results of the Giving Black® study to encourage the building of tangible connections across all communities for a stronger Black philanthropic community
Black Philanthropic donors, like other donors, depend on a sense of belonging to a community and collective decisionmaking. Black philanthropic givers come from some of the highest professional ranks, where they engage in highlevel decisions, yet their perspective is often overlooked by the philanthropic community. There is a tendency to impose generalized notions of philanthropy across the spectrum, rather than seek and implement creative solutions from creative people. Philanthropy often asks that potential philanthropists find a way to fit into existing structures, rather than offer them platforms and avenues for new, impactful investment.
IMPLICATIONS
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Offer tools, resources, and capacity building opportunities to increase intergenerational knowledge and philanthropic wealth management
Wealth building is a top priority of Black donors. Yet, survey findings reveal some Black donors lack wealth management planning, including half of the donors in the second highest income bracket ($200,000-$249,999). In addition, younger Black donors are planning for the future now.
Hampton Roads Community Foundation has an opportunity to amplify and showcase the hundreds of donors that participated in this study. This simple action can serve as a catalyst for the Community Foundation to partner with Black donors as agents of change to leverage greater good for not just the Black community but all communities.
IMPLICATIONS The Foundation should make a case for accelerating financial inclusion in the ecosystem of philanthropy to assist in creating more equitable philanthropic practice.
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CONCLUSION ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS i. Explore effective outreach strategies for Hampton Roads’ Black communities. Comments reveal an uneven perception of HRCF among the Black community. Those who were aware of the Foundation’s activities had a positive view of the Foundation; others were barely aware or not aware of all of HRCF’s activities. ii. Visionaries for Change was positively viewed by the Black community, and as an extension of the Community Foundation. Investing in and highlighting Visionaries for Change could serve as a means to increase awareness of the Community Foundation within the Black community. iii. Increased transparency in grantmaking. Several comments suggest a need for greater transparency in the Foundation’s grantmaking process to explore the perception that Foundation dollars are not going to the Black community and that resources are not reaching those most in need within Black communities. iv. People of color in leadership positions in HRCF matters. Several comments positively highlight the work of Vivian, and by extension, HRCF. Black donors want to see racial equity reflected not only in programming, but within organizations’ leadership.
The Giving Black® Report challenges Boards of Directors for non-profit organizations throughout Hampton Roads to assess and remedy missed opportunities to engage Black philanthropists in our community. – Sharon S. Goodwyn
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What is a 21st Century Approach to Black Donors in Hampton Roads? 1
Each city of Hampton Roads is distinct in its historical importance to Hampton Roads. Finding a way to honor the uniqueness of place and the threads of commonality is important to Black Donors in Hampton Roads.
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Pay attention to the rural areas of Hampton Roads. There is a strong sense of pride, principle and resources of time, talent, treasure, ties and testimony that exist there as well as in the urban communities.
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Black Donors of Hampton Roads want intentional stewardship, not transactional relationships.
Giving Black®: Hampton Roads, The Genesis of American Black Philanthropy chronicles Hampton Roads’ unique history and rich legacy of Black giving. The practices and traditions that appeared early on in Hampton Roads were replicated in Black giving practices across the nation. This report describes the attitudes and patterns of giving among Hampton Roads’ Black donors. NEBiP’s approach is to offer research and data as touchstones to counter anecdotes, assumptions and false narratives of Black giving. We believe research should invite additional conversation, debate and questions. We trust the study will prove useful conversation for Hampton Roads Community Foundation as the Foundation seeks to increase diversity, equity and inclusion to create a thriving community with opportunity for all.
Vice Chair, Board of Directors
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Giving Black®: Hampton Roads, The Genesis of American Black Philanthropy reflects the culmination of a collaborative partnership between New England Blacks in Philanthropy (NEBiP) and the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. The study elevates early Black giving in the region and provides quantitative and qualitative data on Black donors’ attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and practices. In addition, the study offers two NEBiPdeveloped frameworks to provide additional context and a deeper understanding of Black donors’ motivation: a Black donor typology and The linked Philanthropic Equity (LPE)® framework offer a pathway for an intentional Black giving strategy. Finally, the study intends to provide current data to inform and catalyze conversations, discussions, and debates on the present and future of Black giving in the region.
New England Blacks in Philanthropy is dedicated to informing, reforming and transforming the practice of philanthropy by bringing forth a paradigm shift from focusing on the deficits of our communities to our assets. NEBiP, 101 Federal Street, Suite 1900, Boston, MA 02110 nebip.org
Hampton Roads Community Foundation is southeastern Virginia’s largest grant and scholarship provider. It has awarded more than $301 million since 1950 to make life better in Hampton Roads. The Community Foundation’s vision is a thriving community with opportunity for all. Hampton Roads Community Foundation, 101 W. Main Street, Suite 4500, Norfolk, VA 23510 hamptonroadscf.org
Launched in 2014, The W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Catalyzing Community Giving (CCG) initiative supports communities of color using philanthropy to become change agents and positively impact the lives of children and families in their communities. wkkf.org
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of New England Blacks in Philanthropy. Questions? Email: affinitygiving@nebip.org Please follow standard APA rules for citation: New England Blacks in Philanthropy (2021). Giving Black®: Hampton Roads, The Genesis of American Black Philanthropy. Boston, MA
Cover Photo (bottom right): Hampton History Museum Collections, 2009.15.6284/0078
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