Recognized annually in August, Black Philanthropy Month is a global celebration of Black American gift-giving in the form of time, talent, and treasure.
Celebrate the 2023 Black Philanthropy Month theme, "love in action." This August, consider what love in action means to you, your family, communities, and networks. We invite you to join us, reflect upon these questions, and consider what love in action means for students, alumni, faculty, and staff at Indiana University.
In 2012, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation released a study titled “Cultures of Giving: Energizing and Expanding Philanthropy by and for Communities of Colors,” acknowledging not only the long history of giving but also finding that African Americans give a larger share of their income to charities than any other group.
Read the full story Black Philanthropy Month: Why Embrace It? by Joyce Q. Rogers, Executive Vice President for Development, IU Foundation.
As part of its work to create more opportunities for Black communities, the Indiana University Black Philanthropy Circle requested and received a proclamation from Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, officially designating August as Black Philanthropy Month in Indiana. In honor of Black Philanthropy Month's official recognition, consider partnering with us in building tomorrow's leaders, enhancing research and academic engagement about identity-based giving practices, and fostering donor engagement.
In July of 2020, Indiana State Governor Eric Holcomb proclaimed August as Black Philanthropy Month in the state of Indiana. The Proclamation reads:
We are thrilled and believe it is especially important this year to demonstrate support and solidarity," said Valaida Fullwood, Black Philanthropy Month co-architect. "We hope that other states, cities, and corporations and organizations will follow Indiana's lead and join this important cause.
Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Founding Member, Black Philanthropy Circle
The truest measure of our humanity happens when we create opportunities for other people we may never meet.
Read the Story
Founding Members, Black Philanthropy Circle
...making sure that others have the same opportunities...
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Founding Member, Black Philanthropy Circle
Carrying out philanthropy's promise every day.
Read the StoryJoin us and learn more.
There are a host of ways to demonstrate love in action during Black Philanthropy Month. Give to scholarships, support programs and initiatives at the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, or build your network and connect with like-minded people who want to help support Black students at Indiana University.
*These answers have been slightly edited to ensure cohesion.
The 2023 Black Philanthropy Month theme is “Love in Action” – what does this mean to you?
My father was a Baptist minister, so I turned to the scriptures and what I learned growing up. To me, love is synonymous with philanthropy. Philanthropy that originates from a place of love lifts all people, underscoring what the IU Black Philanthropy Circle is about and seeks to accomplish.
What impact does the IU Black Philanthropy Circle seek to make?
We seek to increase the financial impact of Black-related giving more broadly, specifically within the Indiana University context. We have expanded the scope of what Black philanthropy entails and how those dollars are used to help make tangible differences within IU communities across the state. Whether we are talking about showcasing significant charitable impact from key IU families who also happen to be Black Americans or increasing the scope of Black philanthropy through representation and cultural awareness. Significantly, the BPC has exceeded 50 members since its inception in 2018, has generated about 1 million in private funds – of which 20% has been distributed –and has established an endowment to support high-impact initiatives across the IU’s campuses into perpetuity.
What has the BPC sought to accomplish thus far?
We have raised the visibility of the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy at the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in Indianapolis. The purpose of the institute is to understand better the perceptions, practices, experiences, and needs of the individuals and institutions that operationalize philanthropy in underrepresented communities. The Mays Institute works to develop programming and services to engage philanthropic practitioners, scholars, and the public at large in conversations and activities to advance the work. The IU BPC accomplished our goal with a major gift to the Mays Institute when the circle was established. In addition, the IU BPC has established an awards committee that has now distributed over $100,000 across the various IU campuses. We have fulfilled or exceeded our goals from a university perspective and can also boast of receiving national recognition.
What is the profile of an ideal IU Black Philanthropy Circle Member?
We are an organization that has been very diverse in its composition since our inception – we embrace a diverse circle of supporters bound by a shared commitment to expanding access to Indiana University. An ideal member also embraces our mission and goals – to elevate the recognition and involvement of the Black community within and beyond the state of Indiana.
For more information about making a gift or getting connected please contact Ninjia Miles, director of Black philanthropy at the Indiana University Foundation, at affingiv@iu.edu.
Mail gifts to:
Indiana University Foundation
Post Office Box 6460
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6460
The Indiana University Foundation solicits tax-deductible private contributions for the benefit of Indiana University and is registered to solicit charitable contributions in all states requiring registration. For more information, please review our full disclosure statement. Alternative accessible formats of documents and files on this site can be obtained upon request by calling us at 800-558-8311.
