It's not that Latinos don't care about philanthropy. It's just that they have a distinct way of giving--one that tends to go undetected by the Internal Revenue Service and others who monitor philanthropy.
Rather than donate priceless works of art or write checks to their favorite charities, Latinos contribute more at a grass-roots level. They tend to help family and friends privately--which is perhaps why the vast American philanthropic sector has not yet made significant efforts to tap into a community with an estimated $350 billion of purchasing power.
This is one of the findings in "Nuevos Senderos: Reflections on Hispanics and Philanthropy," commissioned by Berkeley-based Hispanics in Philanthropy and published last month by University of Houston Arte Publico Press.
The book, a collection of essays, explores how to involve Latinos as givers and beneficiaries of the mainstream philanthropic sector. The authors suggest the community is underrepresented as organizers, givers and recipients.
The 4,900 Latino nonprofits identified from IRS records account for only .3% of all nonprofits in the country. About 800 of the Latino nonprofits were churches. Only 5% were foundations.
Between 1985 and 1990, it was estimated that less than 1% of all foundation dollars were given to Latino organizations, at a time when Latinos comprised about 5% of the U.S. population, said Henry A.J. Ramos, the book's general editor.
The most recent figures show the percentage of foundation dollars spent on Latino organizations has increased to 2%, while the Latino population has grown to about 13%.
And despite gains, Latinos today account for less than .5% of foundation board members, said Diane Sanchez, an organizational development consultant who wrote a chapter in "Nuevos Senderos" (New Trails).
The book explores how philanthropy leaders can tap into the Latino population by understanding the group's views on philanthropy.
The book notes that contrary to the mainstream philanthropic sector's long-held notion that Latinos don't give, the group does give generously--but not in a mainstream American style.
Indeed, a study commissioned by the California Community Foundation released in December showed that among L.A. County residents polled who sent money or clothing to needy family or friends in another country, 55% were Latino, 28% were other ethnic minorities, and 10% were white.
