Black Philanthropy Month

Started in 2011, Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) is an annual global celebration and campaign to elevate African-descent giving and funding equity. Activities celebrate the joy and sense of renewal from giving to and by members of African diasporic communities.

Plowshares achieves this objective in two ways: by focusing attention on the art and opportunities we create in service to the community and second, by encouraging our patrons, families, and friends to embody the spirit of Harambee, the Kenyan giving philosophy, which means “all pull together.” By sharing their wealth with us for the public good, we focus on the impact of donating to Black causes with mutual social responsibility.

Plowshares Fundraising Values

We accept the responsibility of being good stewards. We sustain our inherited progress while building on it for our children. We prioritize using a values-based, community-centric approach to sharing the gifts and responsibility of fundraising for all.

We fundraise for general funding to establish equity between our donors and our organization. Funding one part of our organization while starving another creates barriers to the healthy, well-rounded community we seek. General funding allows for a quick and efficient response to those areas most needing support and growth.

We speak clearly to our patrons, partners, and prospective donors about our fundraising efforts’ why, how, and results. We share our virtues, what we believe, and the work we’ve accomplished together. Our ideals. (fundraising = stewardship).

Before discussing sharing wealth, we are clear in our intentions, ask permission, and move forward.  A donor will never be “surprised” by a request for money. This will be an adult conversation.

What we Believe

We believe in the power of change and see the art of community building as its own reward. One of those rewards is the lessons we take away from every encounter. Part of our journey in fundraising is to raise the practice while we are raising money.

We maximize the community impact of our fundraising by engaging in dialogue with our donors about topics of interest locally, nationally, and globally. Those conversations are reflected in the theatre we create.

Ways to Give

Donate online by clicking here.

Learn more: https://plowsharestheatre.org/harambee/