If the Future of Black Philanthropy is Collective and Collaborative, How Do We Get There?
Jul 29, 2026By Cynthia Reddrick
Cynthia Reddrick is a Visioning Strategist at FutureGood. Connect with her on LinkedIn or reach out to her by email at [email protected]
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As I think about Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) this August, my sincere belief is that change is most potent when it's approached as an act of love. If philanthropy is generally defined as love of humankind, when combined with collective imagination, our efforts may matter even more amid the present uncertainty.
What might exist, if fully envisioned, to support and sustain our movements? Could a more equitable future be within reach?
These are the types of questions my colleagues at FutureGood pose to help nonprofit executives, program managers, foundation leaders and their grantees explore the strategic visioning process that uses a distinct future-forward framework and tools.
I’m noticing how we choose to consider and construct the future of Black Philanthropy, as a diasporic initiative that highlights the power and depth of affinity-based charitable participation, still feels under-explored. That’s why I selected to host a webinar inspired by Black Philanthropy Month’s 2026 theme: Many Voices. One Movement.
If movement-building is the goal, can we draw on our communal energy and mutuality to envision a path forward that will sustain it?
I thought back to a prompt I read during Black Philanthropy Month’s 2024 theme, “Afro-Futures of Giving:” what are three concrete actions that you will take as a change agent in your family, community, workplace, and/or other affiliations [this year] to increase the chances that your vision of a Black Giving Future comes to fruition over the next five years?
Beginning with the end in mind, my vision of a Black Giving Future that comes to fruition over the next five years is based on everything I did with intention and attention, once I decided to choose abundance. In my own wealth-building, wealth organizing, community philanthropy and legacy-making, I evolve and engage.
Visioning into our individual and collective futures is powerful! It’s proof-positive to me that manifestation matters.
Today, as a new Visioning Strategist at FutureGood, my colleagues and I track many interesting trends each month that inform how we partner with our clients and the community at-large to build ways that FutureProof their missions.
One of the tools FutureGood uses is facilitated strategic visioning sessions that help transform individuals and turn organizations into vehicles for positive change. Our strategic visioning sessions are designed to move you from being reactive to proactive.
On August 26th, I invite you to join me for a powerful mini-visioning exercise designed to bring forth a collective response. What does an ideal future look like when Black Philanthropy is fully realized?
While we pause to imagine what might exist in a more equitable future, we'll also explore any signals of the future you may be seeing right now.
As Trista Harris reminds us, there’s freedom in suspending our reality to get creative about what can emerge for a true civic legacy.
If you want to continue this conversation and co-create abundant scenarios that can exist because of Black Giving, join Cynthia Reddrick for her upcoming webinar.
Register for the Webinar: The Future of Black Philanthropy is Collective and Collaborative
Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Time: 12pm ET / 9am PT
