African Americans tend to give smaller amounts over time, whereas white philanthropy is often exercised as one large gift. There was a sense that blacks do not wait until they have accumulated wealth to give, as whites do. Notable white philanthropists are not known for their giving until they have already amassed their fortunes. Whites give to get their name on a building, whereas blacks will just give because of compassion for the individual or situation. We are not looking for credit.
Whites are interested in objects.
Blacks are interested in relationships. Lack of understanding of how to optimize one's charitable impulses was cited as the number one barrier to giving. All respondents made a strong plea for formal education to help African Americans understand various charitable options. Many respondents thought that African Americans are not sophisticated in the area of financial planning in general. There is a psychology and an science to giving.