August is Black Philanthropy Month, a time to uplift and celebrate the long-standing tradition of Black giving. Whether through church donations, community organizing, or supporting youth programs, Black communities have always invested deeply in building brighter futures — often giving more generously relative to income than other groups.
The numbers tell a powerful story:
- Two-thirds of Black households in the U.S. donate to causes and organizations.
- Black households give 25% more of their income annually than white households.
- 76% of Black donors say they have given to strangers.
This generosity exists despite a staggering racial wealth gap. In New York State, white households have 15 times more net assets than Black households, and nationally, Black households hold only 15% of the wealth of white households. Without action, the median Black household is projected to have $0 net worth by 2053.
The giving gap extends to nonprofits too. Black-led organizations receive just 4% of philanthropic funding, with budgets averaging 24% smaller and 76% fewer unrestricted assets than their white-led counterparts. Many operate on shoestring budgets, yet still deliver transformative community impact.
At Barbershop Books, we see philanthropy as an act of care, creativity, and community. From barbers who make space for storytime to parents who read with their kids before bed, all acts of giving ripple out to create a lasting impact. Black philanthropy honors the people and stories that came before us while investing in the futures we imagine. It’s educators, caregivers, artists, and organizers nurturing brilliance in the next generation.
We’re celebrating Black Philanthropy Month to honor the everyday givers who make our work possible. When you support Barbershop Books, you help us bring joyful reading experiences to Black boys and other vulnerable children — turning barbershops, schools, and homes into spaces of literary magic.
You’re not just helping kids read books. You’re helping them see themselves as readers.
Want to be part of this legacy? Join our community of monthly donors. Just $25 a month keeps bookshelves across our national network of more than 200 barbershop partners stocked with books recommended by Black boys. Recurring gifts also support free haircut-and-book giveaways that help families build home libraries. Together, we’re inspiring children to read for fun.
