Non-Profits Launch Initiatives To Encourage African American Philanthropy.

A recent article in the Baltimore Sun examines the history and growing popularity of African American philanthropy in communities around the U.S.

Lea Gilmore, program director at the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers (www.rag.org/abag), grew up watching her parents tithe and donate

money for various causes through their church. Now married with her own children, Gilmore is currently partnering with the Associated Black Charities (www.abc-md.org) in a project to spotlight black philanthropy and promote strategic giving methods. Such initiatives are evidence of a growing interest in spreading African American philanthropy beyond the church (the traditional recipient of most black giving).

Leaders in the field are hoping to change the way African Americans view charitable giving by encouraging them to create their own foundations and trusts. Currently, donations from African Americans tend to be made in response to immediate, short-term needs, says Robin Williams Wood, board member of Associated Black Charities: "What we're trying to do with the giving project and the philanthropy initiative is to focus that giving to take a longer view."