Celebrating Black History Month in Nonprofits

Every February, Black History Month serves as a powerful reminder of the profound contributions African Americans have made to history, culture, and society. For nonprofits, this observance presents an important opportunity to both honor Black history and actively promote diversity and inclusion within their own organizations.

But how can nonprofit leaders go beyond surface-level acknowledgment to make a lasting impact? Here, we’ll explore meaningful ways nonprofits can celebrate Black History Month while building an inclusive workplace that aligns with their values and mission.

Black Generosity and Charitable Giving

Did you know? Despite the vast wealth gap created by systemic inequality, Black Americans give the largest share of their wealth to charity compared to all other racial or economic groups in the United States. Nearly two-thirds of African American households donate to organizations and causes, contributing an astounding $11 billion each year.

A study conducted by the Urban Institute revealed a remarkable finding about Black philanthropy. Since 2010, Black families have contributed the largest proportion of their wealth — including savings, used cars, land, and investment accounts — to charities across all racial or ethnic groups in the dataset.

What’s even more inspiring is that 28% of Black donors report household incomes below $50,000 a year, yet they are contributing a higher proportion of their income to charity than any other racial group. This demonstrates the extraordinary culture of giving within Black communities, often rooted in values of mutual aid, collective growth, and community solidarity.

For nonprofits, understanding this spirit of philanthropy means building genuine, meaningful connections with the Black community. Recognizing and celebrating this generosity during Black History Month can strengthen trust between organizations and constituents while advancing shared missions.

How Nonprofits Can Celebrate Black History Month

1. Highlight Historical Contributions: Share stories of Black leaders or organizations that have had a profound impact on your nonprofit’s field or mission. Use internal newsletters, team meetings, or social media to educate and inspire your staff, stakeholders, and community.

2. Support Black-Owned Businesses & Nonprofits: Use this time to uplift Black-owned businesses or partner with local, Black-led nonprofits. Whether you’re seeking vendors, collaborators, or event speakers, this is an impactful way to actively support the community.

3. Host Educational Workshops or Panels: Invite speakers, historians, or authors to lead workshops or discussions on Black history, systemic inequality, or contemporary issues. Providing learning opportunities emphasizes your commitment to fostering understanding among staff and stakeholders.

4. Create a Volunteering Initiative: Organize volunteer drives for staff to support Black-led community organizations or causes tackling racial inequalities. This not only strengthens ties with your community but also demonstrates your organization’s dedication to long-term equity.

5. Review & Advance DEI Initiatives: Take the time to examine your nonprofit’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies. Use Black History Month as a catalyst to revisit policies, identify gaps, and ensure your organization is building a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all employees.

As nonprofit leaders, it’s crucial to serve diverse communities, beginning with fostering awareness, respect, and representation within your organization. Celebrating Black History Month goes beyond honoring the legacy of Black leaders, innovators, and changemakers; it also enhances your inclusivity initiatives and boosts staff engagement. When your team sees that your nonprofit prioritizes equity and values diverse contributions, it fosters a stronger workplace culture, greater employee satisfaction, and a deeper connection to your mission.

Navigating the complexities of today’s HR landscape to create an equitable workplace can be challenging. That’s where UST HR Workplace comes in. This cloud-based platform is specifically designed for nonprofit employers, offering tools, templates, and training to cultivate safe, productive, and compliant environments. With UST HR Workplace, your organization can concentrate on hiring and retaining top talent while minimizing liability risks.

Discover how UST HR Workplace can empower your team to stay compliant and productive. Sign up for a FREE 60-day trial today and take the first step towards a stronger, more inclusive workplace culture!

 *Recent executive orders from the Trump administration have significantly impacted nonprofits engaged in DEI initiatives, creating new challenges and uncertainties for these organizations. We stand with nonprofits engaged in all aspects of community and social service and our mission is to support your organization with HR tools and money-savings unemployment solutions to help mitigate some of the uncertainty. 

Source

https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/despite-racial-wealth-gap-black-philanthropy-strong

https://www.tides.org/blog/five-facts-to-know-about-black-philanthropy-strong