by Jennifer Watley Maxell

How do Black church leaders see themselves on the landscape of philanthropy?

What organizations and people do these leaders turn to, from a place of trust, for support and capacity-building in ministry? 

Over the past eighteen months, in partnership with Lake Institute, I have been exploring these crucial questions through conversations with a diverse group of Black church leaders across America. Whether on elevators, in conference rooms, over a meal, by phone or by Zoom, I have made a practice of asking my fellow Black ministry leaders how they think about philanthropy and how they relate to it. You can read and share my fuller exploratory report here. But, in brief, this is what I heard.

Finding Power, Stability, and Support in Networks

Like many institutions, the Black church is innovating and expanding in unique and exciting ways, even as traditional church attendance continues to decline. Therefore, as part of my exploration, I also conversed with social entrepreneurs, founders of new church plants, parachurch ministry leaders, and non-profit leaders. I found that many Black clergy straddle and blur vocational lines, creating broad vocational networks that coalesce around shared vision, passion, and purpose.

I heard an underlying perception that philanthropic organizations are only interested in funding large, established, institutionally supported ministries and projects. In other words, philanthropy is understood to be only interested in funding ministries and projects that already have money and well-established ties to an institution such as a seminary or denomination.

When I spoke with Black ministry founders, they mentioned support networks that did not include philanthropic institutions, such as crowdsourcing, venture capitalism, individuals with whom they have personal relationships, established churches/community organizations and collaboration with other ministries with similar vision. Among these ministry founders, there is power, stability and support in community, as they try to establish collaborative networks to share knowledge, relationships, and resources.

These founders conceded that Black churches have provided philanthropic support for them in the form of offerings/seed money, free office/event space, mentorship and access to the congregation or ministerial staff. However, they did not consider the Black church overall to be a philanthropic organization.

Not Even a Signpost, Much Less a Map

Among the pastors with whom I spoke were a dozen pastors who lead large urban or suburban megachurch congregations.  When I told one pastor of a large, urban megachurch in Maryland that I was trying to map the landscape of the Black church and philanthropy, he quipped, “We don’t even have a signpost, not to mention a map.”

Some version of this sentiment was expressed repeatedly throughout these conversations. Philanthropy seems to be viewed as a niche funding source that is largely inaccessible to the Black church. The securing of a grant was seen as an anomaly.

Furthermore, none of the clergy identified or considered the Black church to be a philanthropic organization. Instead, they are viewed as either community service or charitable organizations. Many churches have established non-profit organizations (typically 501(c)(3)) or community development organizations, through which they meet various needs in their communities. However, instead of having trusted philanthropic partners with established relationships, these organizations tend to be formed and resourced on a case-by-case basis and are need-driven.

There seemed to be a perception that the identification of the Black church as a philanthropic organization could be a valuable designation with parishioners and funders, since the language of tithing, stewardship, etc. may be harder to explain or readily identify.

Of course, the flip side was also represented

The following question sums up the flip side. “Would identifying the Black church as a philanthropic organization inspire a false perception of the Black church as wealthy or flush with cash and property that might discourage continued support?”

Even in large megachurches with their own non-profit and community development entities, there is a perception that their grounding in faith and responsiveness to the community and the needs of their congregants requires a strong independence that must be protected and cannot ever be seen as commodified.

There is also a hesitation that, in these divisive times, the landscape and reality of challenging social injustice has become heightened and politicized, in a way that may set the Black church at odds with those who seek to fund their work. Many clergy expressed disinterest in attending meetings or conferences where the onus to prove “worthiness” is on the Black church, versus situations where all parties come together to learn, share, and connect with the expectation that partnership would form organically out of those relationships.

In summary, I see four areas for mutual work between philanthropic organizations and Black religious organizations.

Issues of knowledge

• The philanthropic world is a largely unknown and untapped area for most Black clergy.
• The philanthropic world doesn’t seem to understand the unique culture and contributions of the Black church.

Issues of language

• The philanthropic world has preferred terminology/insider language that isn’t known by most clergy.
• The philanthropic world doesn’t translate with the ways that clergy often view themselves and/or describe their work.

Issues of relationship

• Synergistic relationships must be built on trust, mutual respect, and common goals.
• Relationships should be responsive to a challenge and/or a need, as opposed to reactive.

Issues of self-identity

• Black clergy do not readily identify themselves or their congregations as philanthropists, nor do they see their contributions as philanthropic.
• Often their important contributions are identified as stewardship, worship, evangelism, discipleship, charity, etc.

When it comes to philanthropy, the Black church and Black clergy have much to offer and much to learn. The same can be said of philanthropic organizations. I am persuaded that the question isn’t so much how, but rather with whom. If relationships can be built on trust, and if mutual benefit for the common good can be established, I believe synergistic partnerships can be formed and necessary new work can begin.

Rev. Jennifer Watley Maxell is a published author, blogger and podcaster who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Howard University, and her Master of Divinity degree from Emory’s Candler School of Theology. She founded “The Ellipsis Experience,” a nonprofit ministry for women and girls. She is an ordained Elder in the AME Church, and together with her husband, Rev. Charles A. Maxell, Jr., co-founded The Breakthrough Fellowship church in Cobb County, Georgia. Together they have three children.