Overcoming skepticism is crucial in reaching black donors.

By Paul Barbagallo

“African-American donors used to be ignored by virtually all fundraisers,” says Dr. Emmett Carson, president and CEO of The Minneapolis Foundation, a philanthropic center for Minnesota, and author of “A Hand Up: Black Philanthropy and Self-Help in America.” “There has been this view by mainstream organizations that the African-African community consists of people who receive charity, rather than people who give charity. The recent breakthrough for many organizations was, ‘Wow, African Americans give.’ “