In April 2025, leaders from across faith, philanthropy, healthcare, finance, and higher education gathered in Indianapolis to explore what’s possible when Black churches and philanthropic organizations partner for greater impact. What follows is a reflection on that gathering, and where the PBC project is headed next.

Participants share their reflections on the 2025 Symposium on Philanthropy and the Black Church, co-hosted by Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and the Center for the Church and the Black Experience at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

This memorandum addresses legal considerations and concerns related to grantmaking to religious organizations. Originally published in 1993 by the Council on Foundations through its Religion Philanthropy program, and supported by the Ford Foundation.

This booklet addresses commonly asked questions about collaboration between funders and churches. Originally published in 1993 by the Council on Foundations as part of the Council’s Religious Philanthropy program, with funding from the Ford Foundation. Includes a short preface by Council president James Joseph. 

In this classic 2002 essay on “Building a Foundation for Faith and Family Philanthropy," James A. Joseph explores how religion shapes both what people give and why people give.

Philanthropy and the Black Church, Volume 2: Partnering to Serve Community is a handbook that continues the forum for communications between grantmakers and black church leaders

This volume presents key insights and information from a special Conference on Grantmakers and Black Churches that took place at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC in May 1989.

Jennifer Watley Maxell shares what she hears from Black ministry leaders about how they think of and relate to philanthropy.

In this exploratory report by Rev. Jennifer Watley Maxell, she identifies some keys to mapping the landscape of philanthropy and the Black Church.