Lexington Black Philanthropy Week: A New Tradition of Generosity and Impact

The inaugural Lexington Black Philanthropy Week, hosted by the Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative (LBPI), marked a significant milestone in our community’s  philanthropic landscape. LBPI drew inspiration from the success of the Black Philanthropy Month global movement to launch this week-long online giving campaign, designed to inspire generosity and galvanize support for Black-led and Black-serving organizations in Lexington.

Running from Monday, August 19 through Friday, August 23, the campaign exceeded all expectations, raising an incredible $120,230 for 26 local nonprofits, through 638 total gifts. This means each organization raised an average of $4,470 – a testament to the community’s commitment to fostering equity and
opportunity for all.

Beyond the online campaign, LBPI also hosted a reception that brought together participating nonprofits with local philanthropists and civic leaders. This event wasn’t just a celebration of the funds raised, but a recognition of the impact of Black philanthropy and the crucial work that Black-led nonprofits do every day.

The success of Lexington Black Philanthropy Week is rooted in a larger tradition of giving within the Black community. With a spirit of generosity deeply embedded in faith, family and community, Black Americans consistently give a larger share of their wealth to charity than any other racial group in the United States. According to a 2012 report by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, nearly two-thirds of African American households donate to charitable organizations and causes, contributing $11 billion annually.

However, despite this culture of giving, Black-led and Black-serving organizations continue to face a significant funding gap. Of the $557.16 billion donated to charitable causes each year, less than 4% is directed to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) organizations. This discrepancy is stark: Black-led nonprofits operate
with revenues 24% lower than their white-led counterparts. The median revenue for Black-led nonprofits is $47,400 below that of white-led nonprofits — a gap that translates to a $20 million funding disparity.

Lexington Black Philanthropy Week was more than just a fundraising event; it was a celebration of the incredible work being done by Black-led and Black-serving organizations in our community, and further proof that when we come together, we can create powerful change. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this amazing week of giving and support!

Together, we are building a more generous, vibrant, and equitable community.

Participating Organizations

• A Sense of Place
• African American Ballet Troupe
• American Spiritual Ensemble
• Believing in Forever Inc.
• Black Male Working Academy, Inc.
• Black Yarn, Inc.
• Bridge the Gap Lexington
• Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, Inc.
• Marafiki Center
• Master-Pieced, Inc.
• McDonald Hope Ministries
• MLK Celebration Day
• Northside Common Market
• Operation Be You, Inc.
• Operation Making A Change, Inc.
• Pearls of Service Foundation
• Phoenix Rising of Lexington, Inc.
• Project Ricochet
• Seedleaf, Inc.
• Sisters Road to Freedom, Inc.
• Step By Step, Inc.
• TAR Syndrome Association
• The Black Soil Charitable Fund, Inc.
• The Heroes Among Us Foundation, Incorporated
• Uniting Voices Lexington
• West End Community Empowerment Project of Lexington, Inc.