The Donors of Color Network dream is that donors of color see themselves, finally, reflected and represented in this portrait, and eventually in the philanthropic landscape. Its earlier report was titled “The Apparitional Donor” because the presence of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) with high net worth (HNW) donors was less visible, fleeting, almost ghostly in existing philanthropic discourse.

This research, and that of others, demonstrates that HNW donors of color are amazing and powerful, with great potential to move millions of dollars and inspire other hidden figures in philanthropy. The Network hopes that by sharing some important and inspirational stories, the apparition of HNW donors of color gains corporeality and that practitioners in the field will take note.