BLACK PHILANTHROPY MONTH: Honoring Black Giving and Resistance
This August, Social Justice Fund NW (SJF) is excited to celebrate both Black Philanthropy Month and Black August. Black liberation is one of our core values, and we see this month as an important opportunity to ground in learning, and to elevate and support Black liberation movements and organizations.
What is Black August?
Black August commemorates Black resistance, freedom struggles, and political prisoners. The month-long observance originated in 1970s California after the assassination of George Jackson, a Black liberationist and member of the Black Panther Party. Black August pays tribute to individuals who have been imprisoned or killed by the state while defending Black lives and challenging racial oppression.
What is Black Philanthropy Month? And Why Is It Important?
Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) also lands in August. In 2011, BPM was founded as a global campaign to elevate the giving of those African descendents. Today, it has grown into the world’s only African diaspora coalition and movement dedicated to celebrating and empowering Black giving in all its forms
Too often Black people are stereotyped as just receivers of charity, instead of uplifting the long and rich history of Black people practicing philanthropy in their families, communities, and across the globe. Through engaging with the history of Black philanthropy, we’re able to disrupt these and other racist stereotypes about Black folks.
Learning From the Legacy of Black Giving
Perhaps more importantly, through educating ourselves on the history of Black philanthropy, we’re able to identify and support current day Black philanthropists and philanthropic organizations.
During the early 20th century, Carter G. Woodson used mass mailing campaigns to solicit donations from individuals, allowing him to sustain his organization independently without relying on institutional oversight. Madame C.J. Walker, who became a millionaire from her hair-care company, gave generously to uplift the Black community—particularly Black women—and became one of the greatest African American philanthropists of all time.
Today, the Black Future Co-op Fund, a by-and-for collective of Black Washingtonians, is continuing to build generational wealth, health, and well-being through Black community-led philanthropy. They do this by grounding in their core beliefs of centering Blackness, community trust, healing grace, honoring ancestors, self-determination, and shared abundance.
Why SJF Celebrates Black August & Black Philanthropy Month
By celebrating Black August and Black Philanthropy Month, SJF reaffirms our commitment to Black liberation and to loudly supporting Black-led movements and organizations.
SJF understands that the movement for Black liberation is large and diverse—there’s no one path towards liberation. By uplifting historical movements, activists, and Black philanthropists, we aim to show some of the different strategies for defending Black lives, uplifting Black dignity and joy, and supporting Black communities and organizations in creating autonomous futures.
We also invite non-Black people of color and white folks to tangibly support Black liberation movements this month through volunteering, donating, educating yourself and others, and organizing in your community to support this work.
Resources to learn more about Black August:
- Read: Black August uplifted as alternative Black History Month
- Watch: Black August Honors Political Prisoners Like George Jackson
- Read: Blood in My Eye by George Jackson
Resources to learn more about Black Philanthropy:
- Five Facts to Know About Black Philanthropy
- Donate to Black-led organizations and philanthropies
- Support and learn more about Black Future Co-Op Fund
- Support and learn more about Black United Fund of Oregon
- Read ‘Madam C. J. Walker’s Gospel of Giving: Black Women’s Philanthropy During Jim Crow’
- In Seattle? Consider attending: Reparations Dream Lab With Temi Bennett
- Hosted by Seattle King County African American Reparations Committee
- Tuesday, August 26, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PT
** In honor of Black August, SJF will be closed August 25-29, 2025 **
Written by Aisha Al-Amin, Director of Development, and Sharon Ho Chang, Strategic Communications Manager
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