African American donors give away higher percentages of their incomes than white donors, according to a new study.
But they don't see themselves as big players in the charitable arena, and that presents an image problem, say experts like Judy Belk, a senior vice president for Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
"African Americans have been very uncomfortable with the title of philanthropist," Belk said. "If you don't see role models who look like you when people start talking...

At 29, Michael J. Greene of Chicago is a young philanthropist in the making, though he hardly fits the stereotype. He doesn’t drive a Porsche; in fact, he just sold his VW Passat with 90,000 miles and uses public transit to get around.
Nor does Greene have a huge bankroll to back his pet project, a new website called WorldPennyJar dedicated to disaster relief, health, education and the environment.
Yet Greene is light-years ahead of many in his age group to grasp how...