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

Lea A. Gilmore, program director at the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers, 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 up with the Associated Black Charities 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. "I think that the African-American community is extremely philanthropic," notes Donna Stanley, executive director of Associated Black Charities. "We just need to find ways to make sure we are getting the best from everybody."

According to Rodney M. Jackson, president and chief executive officer of the National Center for Black Philanthropy in Washington, D.C., similar programs are springing up in many other cities, including Philadelphia and Detroit. 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 American 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," he adds, "is to focus that giving to take a longer view."

For more information on African American Philanthropy, see the Foundation Center's Topical Reading List on the subject: http://fdncenter.org/onlib/topical/african.html.