African American Philanthropy Initiative (AAPI)

About this grant

Associated Black Charities, established in 1985, helps Maryland’s black community respond to issues of special significance and fosters coordinated leadership on these issues. The African American Philanthropy Initiative (AAPI) provides education and charitable-giving information to different segments of Maryland’s black community and offers charitable-vehicle options, such as donor-advised funds, to assist this community in building permanent charitable assets.Multiyear funding will support activities that include launching a network of professional advisors to the wealthy black community; developing materials that encourage giving through legacies and bequests; organizing quarterly education workshops on a range of philanthropic subjects; creating a new publication that will be targeted toward families that are developing giving programs; and providing faith-based institutions with education and training opportunities around endowment building.Since its inception, AAPI has developed its infrastructure to manage a donor-advised fund program; created marketing and promotional materials; and engaged an identified target audience that includes the faith community, fraternal and social organizations, women, young professionals and professional advisors.