In Baltimore, Associated Black Charities recently launched the African American Philanthropic Initiative. It has been holding workshops in Baltimore and soon will have seminars in Prince George's County, coaching would-be philanthropists on, among other things, the basics of strategic giving, and promoting the concept of making charitable bequests in wills.
"The whole idea was to have African Americans of means in the Baltimore community step up to the plate and share some of their largess with others in the community who have less," said Eddie Brown, who donated several hundred thousand dollars to help launch the program.
Jeong H. Kim, who sold Yurie Systems for $1 billion, has donated millions to education.
(Courtesy Of Jeong Kim)
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The Washington Area Women's Foundation has started a giving circle of about 20 African American women who have collectively raised about $100,000 that they will award to area charities.
"I hope that we will be an example of a new mode of philanthropy for African Americans, but also to lots of folks around the region," said Ruth L. Goins, 45, one of the group's organizers.
D.C. condo developer Fitzgerald, 57, who moved to the United States with his family from Cuba when he was 13, has pledged $30,000 to the Gala Hispanic Theatre renovation. "I'm a big believer that if you're going to have discretionary income to donate to a cause, the cause should be close to your heart," Fitzgerald said.
But nonprofits chasing after dollars from communities of color face some obstacles.
Some potential donors may be suspicious of white-controlled institutions -- even do-gooder organizations, according to a Council on Foundations report. And recent immigrants may lack experience with a nonprofit sector or with voluntary charitable giving in their home country, researchers say.
Rebecca Medrano, managing director of the GALA Hispanic Theatre, which is trying to raise $3.8 million for its new space in the renovated Tivoli movie palace in Northwest Washington, said she has had only limited luck among local Hispanics. Many are already committed to sending generous remittances back to their home countries, she said. And some simply assume that she gets plenty of government assistance because arts groups in Latin America receive more public funding than here.
Additionally, many affluent minorities may be focused on helping out more-needy family members.
Eddie C. Brown said he first made sure his extended family was taken care of before he expanded his philanthropy to the broader community. But, he says, he feels a responsibility to aid the black community as a whole.
