Martin Luther King, Jr.: Civil Rights Leader, Visionary, and Yes, Even a Powerful Fundraiser
By Peter Heller
I have been reflecting on past leaders who led during turbulent times - leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., whose commitment to nonviolence while fighting for African American civil rights continues to inspire today.
Did you know MLK, Jr. was an excellent and committed fundraiser? (See Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. the Power of Nonviolent Action, p. 145.)
And King was influenced by Gandhi, also a great fundraiser. (See Gandhi and Beyond: Nonviolence for a New Political Age, p. 200.)
I find this deeply inspiring. How often do we peel back the workings of a leader’s movement and realize that they couldn’t have achieved what they did without great fundraising?
Here's one example of King’s fundraising that I want to share with you. It is a letter to ask for support for six young men fighting deportation to South Africa, where they would face reprisal and persecution. You can read the letter here.
Peter Heller is the Founder of the Heller Fundraising Group, a New York City-based fundraising consulting firm that works with local, national and international nonprofits on capital campaigns, campaign feasibility studies, major gift programs, and hands-on training. peter@hellerfundraisinggroup.com
Selected Bibliography
Cantegreil, Mathieu, et al. Revealing Indian Philanthropy, Alliance Publishing Trust, 2013, pp.36
“Chapter 9.” Gandhi and Beyond: Nonviolence for a New Political Age, by David Cortright, Routledge, 2016, pp. 200
“Civil Rights, Civil Disobedience and Civility.” Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. the Power of Nonviolent Action, by Mary (Mary Elizabeth) King, UNESCO Pub., 1999, 1999, p.145
DeBoskey, Bruce. “Charitable Giving Advice from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” Wealth Management, 24 Oct. 2018, www.wealthmanagement.com/philanthropy/charitable-giving-advice-dr-martin-luther-king-jr.
National Philanthropic Trust. “A History of Modern Philanthropy.” History of Giving, 2016, www.historyofgiving.org/1930-1980/1960-philanthropists-help-finance-the-civil-rights-movement/.
NCRP. “Freedom Funders.” National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, 11 May 2017, www.ncrp.org/publication/freedom-funders.
Reuther Library, Walter P. Guide to the Workers' Defense League Records LR000408.2019, Guide to the Workers' Defense League Records LR000408, reuther.wayne.edu/files/LR000408_3.pdf