"There is just so much need in the African American community," Brown said. "We need as a people to help address those needs."
Some minority philanthropists say they prefer to direct their philanthropy toward their home countries because they believe the need is so much greater.
Jeong H. Kim, who sold Yurie Systems for $1 billion, has donated millions to education.
(Courtesy Of Jeong Kim)
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Malou Babilonia, 39, a Filipino American who lives in San Francisco, has set up a small foundation that does most of its work on environmental and poverty issues in the Philippines. So far, Babilonia -- who made her money as a high-tech executive during the Internet boom -- has poured about $1.4 million into the effort.
"It's a lifetime commitment," she said.
But others prefer to direct their dollars domestically.
Charito Kruvant, who heads her own D.C. consulting firm, donates to many programs that help children. Many, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, benefit all children. Kruvant, 58, who was raised in Bolivia, also works with Hispanic groups, she said: "You give to yourself by giving to other people like you."
University of Maryland benefactor Jeong Kim, 44, who made $500 million when he sold his communications company to Lucent Technologies in 1998 for $1 billion, said he focuses most of his philanthropy on education in the United States. He has also donated money to Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University and other schools.
"It's my country," said Kim, who came here when he was 14 and earned a doctorate in engineering from the University of Maryland. "It's where I live."
