Giving Compass' Take:

• Despite the Latinx community becoming a significant economic, political, and cultural force in America, there is little philanthropic funding for this population. Here are four giving strategies that could change this. 

• Do you prioritize investments in the Latinx community? 

• Read about the most popular ways to give around the world. 

Latinos’ growing role in American society will factor into the next presidential election when, for the first time, they become the largest ethnic or racial minority group in the electorate.

Many in the philanthropic sector have acknowledged that the Latinx community is a driving economic, political, and cultural force in America. But significant population increases and growth in philanthropic giving have not yet translated into more charitable investments for the Latinx community.

Despite some clear Latinx-focused philanthropic advancements, these trends signal that the philanthropic sector can do more to ensure grantmakers successfully partner with and empower Latinx leaders and community members and fund projects that matter to them.

Here are a few considerations to ensure philanthropy maximizes Latinx-related funding:

  1. Tap the giving potential of Latinx communities The Latinx community has a long-standing tradition of giving, rooted in a strong cultural background and experiences as immigrants. Both Black and Hispanic families contribute a larger share of their wealth to charity than their white counterparts, despite the racial wealth gap.
  2.  Support expanded data and research that center Latinx communities Better understanding of the issues affecting Latinx communities can equip funders with data and knowledge to inform their funding strategies toward Latinos.
  3. Diversify Latinx funding by region and issue area To maximize investments in, by, and for Latinx communities, foundations need to account for the diversity of backgrounds and subgroups and the evolving demographics of the Latino population.
  4. Increase funding for Latinx-led groups and Latinx initiatives Latino-based community funds, much like other identity-based community funds, emerged in response to a lack of organized philanthropic efforts addressing Latinx communities and issues.

Read the full article about maximizing Latinx philanthropy by Fernanda Caceres and Keely Hanson at Urban Institute.