Community Foundation of Greater Memphis

In celebration of Black Philanthropy Month, the Community Foundation is proud to participate in Give 8/28, a day of giving to support local, Black-led nonprofits on August 28!

August is Black Philanthropy Month! Black Philanthropy Month is an annual global celebration and campaign held every August since 2011 to uplift and promote Black giving, leadership, and investment in communities worldwide.

American philanthropy has continued to evolve since our nation’s founding, with Giving as Relief, Improvement, and Social Reform being the most prevalent and sustained traditions of donating.

The U.S. has seen major trends in philanthropy since our founding, and a notable one is Giving as Social Reform, or to solve social problems. This kind of giving became more prevalent in the 20th century, and it continues in many powerful forms.

When we look at our nation’s traditions of philanthropy, an important one is Giving as Improvement, or to maximize human potential. This kind of giving gained traction in the 19th century, and it continues today.

As we mark Independence Day this month, we’re taking a closer look at our nation’s traditions of philanthropy. Giving as Relief, or to alleviate suffering, is the longest-standing form of charity in the U.S., and it continues in many powerful forms to this day.

The Fourth of July is all about traditions, like hot dogs and fireworks. But did you realize there are also traditions of American philanthropy?

In 2014, Cori Smith was a new mom in crisis—pregnant, ill, and unemployed. When she discovered that federal aid programs like WIC and SNAP didn’t cover diapers, she realized a critical gap existed for families like hers.

Even the most generous donors can find themselves stuck. Why? The barriers aren’t always financial—they’re often psychological. From fear of failure to feeling overwhelmed by too many choices, giving can be paralyzed by uncertainty.

The Community Foundation recently welcomed to town Miki Akimoto from the National Center for Family Philanthropy to discuss the findings from its newest Trends in Family Philanthropy report.