Black Churches Team Up With Secular Foundations

At a time when government aid to low-income families is shrinking, black churches and secular foundations are working together to tackle social problems.

Boston-based Hyams Foundation oversees the effort, known as the Black Church Capacity Building Program. Last year, $177,000 was funneled through it to area churches.

Other cities, including Miami, Denver, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Detroit and Jackson, Miss., have programs to link black churches and foundations. But Boston’s program is focused on developing technical and computer skills and is being watched by national specialists.

“In many ways American philanthropy has been rediscovering religion,” said Peter Frumkin, an assistant professor of public policy at Harvard University.