The Third Pig

A few years ago the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy conducted a study examining trends on wealth and wealth transfer within the African-American community. What CWP found was not astonishing – African-Americans are generous with their money. This finding in right in line with a 2003 study reported in the Chronicle of Philanthropy that African Americans typically donate up to 25% more of their discretionary income than do whites.

CWP turned up some other some other not-so-surprising but all-to-disappointing statistics as well – African Americans have less money to go around than other racial groups. According to the study (2001 figures), African Americans made up 13.2 million U.S. households, about 12.4% of all households. Yet they only earned 7.1% of aggregate household income and only owned 2.5% of household wealth.

It’s a little self defeating to give more when you have less to give. Altruism has its place. But so does rational selfishness. I am not saying one should not be generous. What I’m saying is charity should start at home. Most millionaires agree. I am in wholehearted agreement with Warren Buffett who said:

“…I always had the idea that philanthropy was important today, but would be equally important in one year, ten years, 20 years, and the future generally. And someone who was compounding money at a high rate, I thought, was the better party to be taking care of the philanthropy that was to be done 20 years out, while the people compounding at a lower rate should logically take care of the current philanthropy.”

The African American community should take note. Invest for the long term in the stock market, accumulate wealth and then give it away. There’ll be more of it to give in the end.