Black Philanthropy Month: Maryland-Based Organization CLLCTIVLY Working To Fundraise $1.2M For State’s Black Businesses

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August, known in donor circles as Black Philanthropy Month (BPM), celebrates the rich history of giving within the Black community. An annual observance, it seeks to encourage that history’s continuity by highlighting the profound impact of Black philanthropy and the significant contributions of Black individuals and organizations to charitable causes. 

Black Philanthropy Month, founded in 2011 by Dr. Jacqueline Copeland-Carson of the Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network (PAWPNet), is celebrated globally. The month-long celebration  acknowledges the diverse and impactful ways in which Black people have contributed to philanthropy and shines a light on efforts that aim to elevate important stories, highlight exemplary work, educate future generations, and inspire collective action to advance justice for all people of African descent.

As BPM noted in its 2015 letter, “Understanding and generosity are instrumental to improving social, educational, economic and health outcomes in African-descent communities everywhere. Philanthropy at its etymological root means love of humankind. Black Philanthropy Month affirms for the world, the love and humanity of African-descent people.”

CLLCTIVLY is doing the work to help Maryland-based businesses in need.

In honor of the month-long holiday, CLLCTIVLY, a Maryland-based organization dedicated to advancing “Black genius, narrative power, social networks, and resource mobilization,” is proudly hosting its 5th annual “We Give Black CLLCTIGIVE” crowdfunding event. The 24-hour fundraiser, set for August 9, invites donors to contribute to any of their 100 partnering organizations. Contributions of all sizes are welcome.

The annual event aims to financially support and empower Black-owned businesses and organizations in Baltimore, offering community members an efficient way to support historically underfunded groups. By raising unrestricted funds, nonprofit partners have the flexibility to allocate resources creatively and effectively. Often, grassroots organizations face rigid constraints on grant spending. This initiative provides the freedom to innovate while addressing organizational needs. 

Since its inception in 2019, CLLCTIGIVE has grown substantially, with last year’s fundraiser raising $1.1 million in just 24 hours. This year, the goal is to raise $1.2 million–an essential target given current concerns about potential reductions in grant funding for Black-led organizations.

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During an interview with NewsOne, Dawnita Brown, a member of CLLCTIVLY and the founder of The Binti Circle—a support network for Black daughter caregivers—emphasized the crucial role of Black communities uniting to support one another and drive meaningful change.

“It is important for Black people to support Black-led organizations because they are created by us, for us, to address our unique needs, retain resources within our community, and drive progress toward racial and economic justice,” said Brown.

“CLLCTIVGIVE provides an opportunity for everyone to support Black businesses and ensures access to unrestricted funds for underfunded Black-led social change organizations like ours, which are often overlooked by major funding sources. Through grassroots efforts, we reach more people, amplify our voices, and strengthen both our impact and the mission of CLLCTIVLY.”

Black Donors Really Matter

CLLCTIVLY’s fundraiser this Friday–which also falls on the painful 10th anniversary of the killing of unarmed teenager, Mike Brown–has been crucial for organizations like I Believe In Me to continue their groundbreaking work. Based in Maryland, this organization empowers girls to B.E.L.I.E.V.E. (Become Emerging Leaders Inspiring Excellence and Values Everyday) in themselves through group mentoring and leadership training. Their programs are designed to help young women become responsible, productive, and successful members of their community.

“Supporting Black-led organizations like I Believe in Me (IBIM) Girls is an investment in the brilliance and potential of our young women,” said Cortney Robertson, the organization’s Founder and CEO, adding that:

“CLLCTIVGIVE is our moment to unite and demonstrate the power of our community. Together, we can ensure that our girls’ voices are heard, their stories are celebrated, and their dreams are realized. When we give, we ignite a future filled with possibility and empowerment.”

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Black people are the biggest donors

Black people have been giving back long after and before the BPM holiday. Despite much of the news about billionaire donors’ giving, the focus should be on Black community giving, which is often dismissed by the field.

But a billionaire giving $10 or $20 million dollars is far easier and less impressive than a single mother who supports two or three children on an above-average income of $90,000 who donates $10 a month, for example.

In cities like New York where the average income for Black people is $83,000 (but often far lower), even a $90,000 salary would not cover the average cost of a two-bedroom, 800 square foot apartment, which would cost over $62,000 annually. After taxes and other deductions, a $90,000 salary would net somewhere in the neighborhood of $60,000 each year.

Black households donate 25% more of their income each year than their white counterparts, with two-thirds of them supporting various organizations and causes, totaling $11 billion annually, according to the Greater Public. This is particularly noteworthy given that 48% of Black donors have annual incomes below $50,00

Black people who contribute a higher proportion of their wealth compared to white households should be lauded over billionaires whose giving rarely disrupts their lives or lifestyles–and who set the cost of living beyond the reach of most people to begin with causing the need for charitable efforts to begin with!

If anything, they should participate, anonymously and otherwise in Friday’s fundraising effort.

SEE MORE:

This Juneteenth, Let’s Focus On Real Solutions To Address The Racial Wealth Gap

Giving Tuesday: Contrary To Popular Belief, Black Folks Have Been Philanthropists ‘Since The Beginning Of Time”

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