THE ESSENCE OF OUR BEING
BLACK HAMPTON ROADS For the Giving Black®: Hampton Roads study, all survey respondents, focus group participants and interviewees were located in Virginia. Black donors’ views reflect a thoughtful, vibrant donor community, which serves as a key asset for the region. Survey respondents discussed the meaning of philanthropy in the Black community, philanthropy’s shortcomings and its transformative potential. Asked to define philanthropy, Black donors mentioned White philanthropists like Bill Gates or “someone who was extremely rich” and that philanthropy is “something that other people…that White people do.” One donor noted, “My sense is that ordinary citizens view philanthropy as something outside of his or her reach… something that the very wealthy do. They don’t think of what they do ordinarily in terms of being philanthropic.” Respondents held a broad view of philanthropy. Several donors noted the importance of intent, saying “if it’s something that’s coerced or must be done, then it does not feel so much like philanthropy” and “philanthropy comes more so from a place of compassion.” One donor emphasized that philanthropy is a holistic endeavor and another viewed philanthro-
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py as an expression of faith, adding, “God has blessed me in order to be a blessing to others.” Some donors shared that they knew of individuals who are philanthropists for the tax breaks or to impress others. One donor insisted, “some people prance around and declare themselves to be a philanthropist, and some have some money and some do not.” Respondents described the ways in which Black giving is “discounted,” particularly in reference to volunteer activities. As one donor bluntly stated, “I consider myself a philanthropist now and I don’t have their (wealthy philanthropists) kind of money.” Donors found the discounting frustrating, as volunteering is a key Black philanthropic practice. One donor suggested, “you are not going to find a whole lot of Black people who are going to be financially able to give money but they may be very able to provide service.” Another added, “you don’t measure a woman or man just by how big a check is; you measure them by their ability to provide the service to address the need, regardless of where the money comes from.”
