Why Corporate Giving Matters for Black-Led Nonprofits

Corporate giving plays a critical role in which nonprofit organizations are able to grow, sustain impact, and remain visible within philanthropic ecosystems. This is especially true for Black-led and BIPOC-led nonprofits, which continue to receive a disproportionately small share of charitable funding despite addressing some of the most persistent community needs.

National data consistently shows that Black-led nonprofits receive less than 2 percent of philanthropic dollars. Many operate with limited annual budgets, often under $500,000, which restricts their ability to invest in staff, infrastructure, evaluation, and long-term planning. These funding gaps are not a reflection of impact or effectiveness. They are the result of access.

Corporate giving helps address this imbalance by creating structured pathways for nonprofits to be seen, supported, and sustained.

How Corporate Giving Expands Access

Workplace giving programs allow employees to support nonprofit organizations through their employer’s established charitable infrastructure. This can include payroll giving, matching gifts, volunteer tracking, and vetted nonprofit directories. For nonprofits, inclusion in these systems increases credibility, discoverability, and long-term funding potential.

However, access to corporate giving programs is not automatic. Many community-based organizations, particularly Black-led nonprofits, are excluded unless there is internal advocacy or a corporate partner willing to open the door.

That reality makes employee-led initiatives and corporate partnerships especially important.

The Role of Employee Resource Groups

Employee Resource Groups, or ERGs, play a powerful role in shaping corporate philanthropy. When ERGs advocate for organizations rooted in lived experience and community trust, they influence where resources flow and which causes receive visibility.

In October Giving Month, Black at Microsoft Houston selected The AIP BIPOC Network as one of three nonprofit organizations supported during the month. That decision mattered.

Beyond the financial contribution, this selection created access. Through the support of Black at Microsoft Houston, The AIP BIPOC Network gained entry into Microsoft’s corporate giving infrastructure and was approved for inclusion in Benevity, the workplace giving system used by Microsoft.

For many Black-led nonprofits, access to these systems is difficult to obtain without internal champions. One ERG’s decision opened a door that would not have otherwise been available.

Why This Matters for Black-Led Nonprofits

For Black-led nonprofits, funding is not just about delivering programs. It determines whether organizations can hire staff, build systems, measure impact, and remain sustainable over time.

Corporate giving programs help shift philanthropy from one-time contributions to ongoing support. They also allow employees to direct resources toward organizations that reflect their values and lived experiences, helping to correct long-standing disparities in nonprofit funding.

When Black-led organizations gain access to workplace giving systems, they gain more than donors. They gain legitimacy within corporate philanthropy spaces that have historically overlooked them.

From Visibility to Sustained Access

Inclusion in corporate giving systems increases visibility, but visibility alone is not the goal. Access is.

Now that The AIP BIPOC Network is listed within Benevity, employees at other companies that use the same system are also able to find and support our work through their employer’s giving programs. What began as a single month of support has created a pathway for continued engagement beyond one company or one campaign.

This is why corporate partnerships and employee-led advocacy matter. They determine which organizations are visible, eligible, and positioned for long-term sustainability.

Why This Moment Matters

Corporate giving is not just about generosity. It shapes who has access to resources and who is positioned to lead.

When employee groups and companies intentionally include Black-led nonprofits in corporate giving systems, they help address structural funding gaps that have existed for decades. These actions strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem by ensuring that organizations closest to community needs have the resources to build, grow, and sustain their work.

We are grateful for the role Black at Microsoft Houston played in expanding access to corporate philanthropy for The AIP BIPOC Network. Their support demonstrates how employee-led advocacy can create meaningful, lasting opportunities for Black-led nonprofits.

To learn more about The AIP BIPOC Network or support our work through workplace giving, visit:
https://causes.benevity.org/causes/840-922526059

Frequently Asked Questions

How do companies decide which nonprofits are included in workplace giving programs?

Inclusion often depends on internal review processes, compliance requirements, and employee or ERG advocacy. Many community-based nonprofits are not automatically included and require sponsorship or nomination to gain access.

Why are Black-led nonprofits often excluded from corporate giving systems?

Corporate giving systems frequently rely on existing institutional networks and historical relationships. Smaller Black-led nonprofits may lack the visibility or internal advocates needed for inclusion, even when their community impact is strong.

What makes employee-led advocacy effective in corporate philanthropy?

Employees and ERGs understand both corporate systems and community needs. Their advocacy helps identify credible organizations and push for inclusion where structural barriers exist.

Is workplace giving only about donations?

No. Workplace giving can also include volunteer engagement, skills-based support, and long-term partnerships. These contributions help nonprofits strengthen capacity beyond financial support alone.

How does access to corporate giving differ from traditional philanthropy?

Traditional philanthropy often depends on competitive grants and foundation priorities. Corporate giving allows individuals inside organizations to direct resources, which can diversify funding and reduce reliance on a small number of institutional funders.

Can workplace giving support smaller or grassroots nonprofits?

Yes, but only if those organizations are included in the system. Once listed, workplace giving can be especially impactful by enabling recurring support and broader exposure.

Why does sustained corporate support matter more than one-time campaigns?

Sustained support allows nonprofits to plan, retain staff, invest in systems, and scale impact. One-time campaigns provide short-term relief, but long-term access creates stability.

How can corporate leaders improve equity in their giving programs?

Corporate leaders can review inclusion criteria, support ERG-led recommendations, diversify nonprofit partners, and ensure community-based organizations have pathways into workplace giving systems.