Giving to racial and social justice causes rose in 2020

The percentage of U.S. households giving to racial and social justice causes increased from 13% in 2019 to 16% last year, according to new research from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy about how people of color are shaping philanthropic giving.

The report, which features insights from a September 2020 national survey of 1,535 households, found that all racial demographics increased their giving for such causes last year amid nationwide protests against systemic racism. But Asian American and Black households were more likely than white or Hispanic ones to lend their support to social justice issues. Close to one-third of Asian American households gave to racial and social justice causes, as did about one in five Black households.

Social justice donors differed from traditional donors in other ways, according to the report, including that they are more likely to be younger, unmarried, and less likely to attend religious services. 

The study also highlighted how people of color engaged with philanthropy in ways other than donating money to nonprofits. One-third of donors of color reported donating to a crowdfunding website, for example, while a little more than half volunteered.

The report recommended that more support should be dedicated to study giving patterns among people of color, suggesting more research into questions around how funding priorities differ based on gender and age, as well as how people of color who are activists think about philanthropy.