Five Ways to Become an Everyday Philanthropist

by L’Oreal Thompson Payton

Every month is Black Philanthropy Month for Karyn Brianne Lee, the Chicagoland blogger behind The Fabulous Giver. Created in 2009 as a way to share local giving opportunities, the blog has evolved into a space to discuss self-care, maternal mental health, and raising kind kids.

You could say that giving is in Lee’s DNA. Her mother was a Sunday school teacher and tutored foster children through Volunteers of America. Her grandmother was on the usher board. Coming from a long line of Black women givers, the marketing director, mom of three, and everyday philanthropist wholeheartedly believes in pouring into her family and her community. 

“I’ve always been exposed to philanthropy through my parents and my grandparents,” Lee shares. “There was the giving you did at church through tithes and offerings, but there were also times when a neighbor needed something, or there would be a special collection for back-to-school supplies or the local food bank. That giving has always been inside of the church. We weren’t rich, but we always found space to give.”

Yet there’s historically been hesitation among members of the Black community to self-identify as philanthropists. While the typical image of a philanthropist conjures up images of rich, old white men and “ladies who lunch,” Black people, in particular Black women, are the backbone of modern-day philanthropy.

According to a 2012 report from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, “each year...Black donors give away 25 percent more of their incomes than white donors.”

“I struggle sometimes with Big P philanthropy,” Lee admits. “I don’t go around raising hundreds of thousands of dollars. But that’s the Big P. Everyday philanthropy is very accessible and I think we as a people have to realize our power there and organizations need to also.”

It’s a longstanding truth that inspired Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland and the Pan-African Women's Philanthropy Network (PAWPNet), who founded Black Philanthropy Month in 2011 as “a global celebration and concerted campaign to elevate African-descent giving” every August. 

“There was this idea that my parents and grandparents instilled in me that individuals can have impact and you don’t need to have a lot of money to make an impact.” recalls Lee. “We didn’t have large sums of money to give, but there was still the belief that there was a responsibility for us to contribute whatever we could.”

Below, Lee shares three tips for aspiring everyday philanthropists:

Find a cause that’s close to your heart. “But if you don’t have one of those, look for the need in your community,” Lee suggests. “Food banks are always timely and relevant places to give. They can take $1 and split that into five meals.”

Change your mindset. “You have to believe that whatever you have to give can be impactful,” she says. “There are small grassroots giving campaigns that can help you stretch your giving habits.” For example, a $50 donation could help fund two therapy sessions at a community mental health center. 

Determine what you’re capable of giving. “Before you jump to money, I often ask people to think about what they are willing to commit to in that moment,” Lee advises. “Is it your time, your talent, or your treasure? Not every season is weighed equally.” 

Also consider what skills you have to offer. “If you’re a PR pro and you offer a few hours to pitch someone’s fundraising event, that can make a tangible impact. There are plenty of ways people can contribute to the financial health of a cause or organization without giving money.”

Set it and forget it. Once you’ve found a cause that you care about (and your budget allows for it), consider setting up a recurring donation. After all, a $25 donation per month comes out to $300 a year.

Sharing is caring. Part of the legacy Lee is building includes teaching her young sons the importance of giving back to the community and involving them in the process. One way Lee does that is by establishing a family giving plan to determine which cause to support; how your family will learn more about the issue; and what steps you’ll take to support said cause.

“We, as Black people, have come to rely on each other. And when systems fail us, we’re all we have. So it’s important for me to make sure that’s not lost on future generations,” Lee shares. “ It’s a blessing to be a blessing. I won’t turn my back on my people and I want my sons to know we’re a people. We have to look out for each other. Black philanthropy to me is very much about investing in the future of our communities, our children, and our neighborhoods”