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The Power of Black Philanthropy to Sustain Black Queer Futures

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August is Black Philanthropy Month, and it’s time to think bigger.


Every August, National Black Philanthropy Month (NBPM) offers an opportunity to recognize and amplify the power of Black giving. Founded in 2011 by Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland and the Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network, NBPM is more than a celebration; it’s a call to action.


Black giving is not new. It is not trendy, and it is not seasonal.


From 19th-century mutual aid societies to modern-day giving circles, community foundations, and crowdfunding campaigns, Black philanthropy has always been rooted in self-determination, solidarity, and sustainability, especially for those living at the margins of the margins.


And yet, even during this month of reflection and celebration, Black LGBTQ+-led organizations continue to be underfunded and overlooked, receiving only a fraction of philanthropic dollars year-round (<1%).


Black Queer Futures Deserve More Than Pride Month


Filmmakers and Organizing Crew of the 2024 Black Alphabet Film Festival
Filmmakers and Organizing Crew of the 2024 Black Alphabet Film Festival

At Black Alphabet, we know this firsthand. Every June, during Pride, we feel the love. Donors show up. Brands send emails. Organizations make statements.


But by July? The spotlight fades. And by August, many Black LGBTQ+ orgs are left to navigate an inequitable funding landscape with limited institutional support.


So, safe to say, we’re not here for the one-month-only approach to giving.


We are building infrastructure, not moments. And movements, not marketing campaigns.


Despite Less Wealth, Black People Give More


Research shows that despite the racial wealth gap, African Americans give a higher percentage of their income to charitable causes than any other racial group in the U.S. This giving often happens quietly, informally, and without recognition from mainstream philanthropic institutions. But its impact is generational.


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Black philanthropy is not just about writing checks. It is:


  • Care work in community

  • CashApp/Zelles and GoFundMe bailouts

  • Sponsoring a youth's art supplies

  • Volunteering time, space, and platforms


And in organizations like Black Alphabet, it's how we keep the lights on and the programming going, for youth, elders, and everyone in between.


Black Queer Organizations Are Essential Infrastructure


Philanthropy must expand its imagination. Supporting Black LGBTQ+-led orgs isn't just about financial sustainability; it’s about:


  • Expanding political imagination

  • Fueling creative innovation

  • Fostering self-sufficiency in communities historically excluded from wealth-building pathways


These orgs are health access points, mental health lifelines, cultural hubs, and safe havens. So, to underfund us is to starve the very communities who are most vulnerable to systemic harm.


Our Call to Action: Fund Us Like You Mean It


This month, we invite you to take real action:


  1. Donate to our current fundraising campaign with AIDS Foundation Chicago

    1. We are raising funds to support our year-round arts and wellness programs that affirm Black LGBTQ+ people across generations.

    2. Remember: This isn’t charity; it’s investment in future.

    3. Support our team here

  2. And mark your calendar for Black Giving Day on August 28, a moment to recommit to this work with intention, imagination, and generosity.

 
 
 

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