By Angela Lindsay
On a steamy Saturday afternoon in late June, dozens of Charlotte area residents dressed in chic summer attire gathered at a sprawling farmhouse estate. Drinks were served poolside while R&B music courtesy of DJ That Guy Smitty set the mood. The distinct aroma of beef brisket and chicken sausage links on the grill wafted through air. But this was no ordinary cookout.
The attendees were Black philanthropists who were there to support the philanthropic collective, the New Generation of African American Philanthropists (NGAAP), all while indulging in an elevated food experience courtesy of James Beard Foundation Awards-nominated and award-winning chefs from around the country.
Since 2006, NGAAP has served this community while making an impact at a local and global level as Charlotte’s only Black philanthropic collective.
“We are a volunteer-powered circle of concerned citizens who pool our dollars and other resources to have a positive impact on Charlotte,” said Valaida Fullwood, an NGAAP founding member. “Our members envision a healthy, safe and prosperous community for Black families to live, work and flourish. To that end, NGAAP carries a mission to promote philanthropy — the giving of time, talent and treasure among Black Americans with the goal of enhancing the quality of life within our communities.”
Black households donate a higher share of their wealth than white households, giving 25% more of their income annually than white households, according to the nonprofit Greater Public. Two-thirds of Black households donate to organizations and causes, totaling $11 billion each year. This is significant because 48% of Black households who give report incomes below $50,000 per year (greaterpublic.org).
However, according to reporting by the National Committee for Responsible Philanthropy, data provided by the nonprofit Candid as of January 2023 found the while community foundations increased their annual giving for Black communities from $78 million in 2019 to $125 million in 2020. This $125 million was still only 2.1% of overall giving from community foundations. Black communities specifically represented only 12% of all charitable giving and 5.4% of independent foundation giving in 2020.
“A third of Charlotte residents identify at Black or African American. It is crucial to have representation, a voice, and power in major spheres of life here. As they say, ‘If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,’” said Fullwood. “In 2006 when NGAAP formed, there were only a few prominent Black grant makers and influential professionals in philanthropy in Charlotte.
While things have changed some, even today in 2024, there are still glass ceilings in the sector,” she said. “For example, Charlotte’s community foundation, which boasts billions in assets, has yet to elevate an African American philanthropy professional to its executive level—never once since its founding in 1958.”
NGAAP was established with 17 founding members. Today, there are over 70 members of the collective. Its membership spans generations, geography, gender, and economic brackets, with a quarter of its members working in the philanthropic and nonprofit realm.
“I joined NGAAP because of the focus on black philanthropic giving and the power of collective giving that aligns with my belief of cooperative economics and investing in our village,” said Patricke Ward, a NGAAP member since 2021.
“Gross inequities in how funding and grants have been distributed in Charlotte underscore the significance of NGAAP,” Fullwood said. “Collectively, our membership brings deep knowledge of data, trends and strategies in philanthropy, lived experiences and proximity to issues disproportionately affecting Black Charlotteans, and long-running, trusted relationships in the communities we serve.”
NGAAP is leading a major fundraising initiative called Campaign for a New Trust. It kicked off with NGAAP’s inaugural fundraiser called The Cookout. In partnership with the James Beard Foundation, the event was designed to raise funds and awareness through a celebration of culture and community and to “bring the smoke to funding gaps, said Fullwood.
“Gathering and connecting over food and drinks was central to NGAAP’s formation, so it made sense to host a food event,” she said. “Cookouts are known for their relaxed vibe, and they hold rich cultural and family significance. It made sense that our signature fundraiser would be an inspired cookout.”
At the event, culinary standouts like local decorated husband-and-wife restaurateur team Greg and Sabrina Collier put their culinary skills on display and cooked for a cause.
“Joining that event meant a lot to Subrina and me,” says Chef Greg Collier. “It was all about lifting up and showcasing African American chefs and supporting the NGAAP’s work. ‘WE’ can do so much together, and when Rashad and Valaida reached out it was an easy yes.”
NGAAP’s Campaign for a New Trust will continue with “The Soul of Philanthropy” exhibition during summer 2025 and run through its 20th anniversary year in 2026. It will be on display at the Charlotte Museum of History. This exhibition, which began in 2015 at Johnson C. Smith University and shown in 16 states and was inspired by the book “Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists” by Fullwood.
“The Soul of Philanthropy exhibit presents stories of generosity among Americans of African descent. Centuries-old cultural customs and beliefs about giving, though rarely acknowledged as philanthropy in Black communities, have long been an integral and transformational force in lives and communities throughout American society,” Ward explained. “Photography, poetry and prose weave vivid stories and reveal the long and unsung legacy of Black philanthropists — from generous donors of wealth to ingenious givers carving a way out of no way.”
Long before its current fundraising initiatives, NGAAP had already enjoyed many other successes over its 18-year existence. Its model of collective giving and grant-making by African Americans resulted in more than $1.6 million of philanthropic investments into the community. The organization has also convened over 50 forums, engaging and educating more than 2000 donors, institutional funders and nonprofit professionals around community issues and the future of philanthropy, among other achievements.
While focused on Charlotte-Mecklenburg communities, NGAAP has had a significant impact and earned recognition, nationally and globally. “We are frequently consulted and acknowledged for centering culture, authentically, through our philanthropic investments, community engagements, and social innovations,” said Fullwood. “Philanthropy is deeper than your pockets, and Black philanthropy speaks to a set of values, beliefs and traditions of generosity that have been integral to Black communities through the ages.”
As for its next stages, NGAAP is paving a new path in local philanthropy and re-orienting funders and foundations from old-school “donor-centric” practices to philanthropic action centered on being responsive and accountable to the community, Fullwood said.
“The status quo is working exceedingly well for some and much less for others,” she said. “We want to see fairer systems that lead to a more inclusive, expansive and effective ecosystem of committed nonprofits, funders and donors.”