Black institutions have defined our history, individually, as families, and collectively as a people. We can come together as family units to make sure we preserve and grow our organizations. They have contributed to our growth, stability, jobs; and as families we can combine our resources to help ensure these institutions survive and thrive.
We can do this as an organized family effort, with all members participating. Don’t let geographic distance, age, educational attainment, or financial position be a barrier – everyone can give. The main ingredients to a family legacy giving program are commitment, leadership, and consistency.
As with other cultures, we have a history of combining our resources to support what is important to us as a people. We need to continue and amplify this history to ensure our giving persists into future generations. We need to take advantage of our personal and collective resources to support our historic Black institutions and those that are emerging.
The idea is to bring the family together to identify a nonprofit that is in line with your values, your history, or what you want to establish as a family legacy. Maybe you want to support a local childcare center, your church, an HBCU attended by family members, or a museum focused on Black history or promoting Black artists. Maybe it’s the NAACP, or a Black-led health clinic. The choices are endless. Hopefully, your commitment will be longstanding.
Here are a few things to consider. Consider an annual financial goal for the family. Agree upon a number of hours each family member will volunteer. Tell everyone you know about the institution you are supporting, why you are doing so, and encourage them to join you. Provide in-kind services based on your experiences and connections. These can include clerical support, social media, marketing, transportation, research, and more. Host an annual fundraising event. Visit the organization you are supporting, attend their events, or ask a representative to attend a family gathering, share an update, and make an appeal for continued support.
Here are more things to consider. Encourage a family member to serve in a leadership role with the organization. Encourage the family to address a long-term project, perhaps with the option of a naming opportunity. As your family grows in size, take time to let new members know about the project. And as families grow in their financial abilities, encourage them to give more. In terms of the business side of your giving, we recommend the following: Create a written pledge with the nonprofit to document your family’s involvement and financial commitment. Do the same within the family. Ask the nonprofit to provide an annual family report on the family’s giving and engagement. Gain an understanding of how the family will be acknowledged and recognized by the institution. In terms of your family legacy: create a record of the family’s engagement for all to share and keep as part of history. There is always something we can do to protect, promote, and support Black history.
© 2026 Mel and Pearl Shaw, authors of “Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.” We provide fundraising counsel to higher education, nonprofits, and philanthropy. Video conferencing always available. Visit www.saadandshaw.com.
