Black-led charities overlooked for large sources of funding, report finds

Black-led charities believe that they are often overlooked and excluded from applying for large sources of funding, a report has found.

The ‘first ever’ report into Black Philanthropy and charitable giving, ‘Valuing the Black Philanthropic Pound – Patterns and Motivations for Black Giving in 2022’ examines the extent and focus of Black giving in the UK.

The study, produced by GiveBLACK in partnership with UCL, found that Black fundraisers feared that the increase in giving to Black community organisations that followed the Black Lives Matter movement will not last as the publicity fades.

The report notes that the lack of visibility within Black philanthropy is “highly problematic” for both donors and fundraisers.

It found that while many wealthy Black donors feel driven to support underserved communities, they need a vehicle to help them connect with worthy Black causes and to network with each other.

Black-led charitable organisations need to be able to engage with potential Black donors and learn how to communicate with them effectively.

The creation of a foundation for Black philanthropy to meet these needs is one of the report’s key recommendations.

Recipients rather than donors

As part of the study, it talked with Black donors, including high net-worth individuals and Black-led charitable organisations.

It noted that Black Britons have a “strong history” of giving and volunteering through churches, mosques and community organisations, yet, except for a few widely publicised individual acts of philanthropy by Black celebrities such as Marcus Rashford and Stormzy, Black giving in Britain has remained “largely hidden”.

GiveBLACK co-founder Patricia Hamzahee said: “Britain’s Black communities are seen primarily as recipients of charitable giving rather than as donors. While charitable and social organisations serving our Black communities will continue to need national and local government support, as well as funding from a broad section of corporations, trusts and foundations, it is also essential to wield the influence that helping ourselves delivers.”

A second phase of the study is planned and will include a nationwide survey of representatives of the Black community from “a wide range” of socio-economic backgrounds.

To read the full report, click here