Earlier this month, we enjoyed catching up with old friends and making new ones at the 2018 VFRI conference. This year in particular was incredible as I had the opportunity to chair the conference. I was inspired by the passion that my fellow fundraisers have for their organizations and for our profession. I was invigorated by… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Philanthropy Research & Events
Giving USA 2018: Giving reached over $400 billion!
Powered by a booming stock market and a strong economy, charitable giving by American individuals, bequests, foundations and corporations to U.S. charities surged to an estimated $410.02 billion in 2017, according to Giving USA 2018: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2017, released today. Giving USA is the longest-running and most comprehensive report of its kind… Read more »
Nonprofit Sector’s Impact on US Economy – What it Means for You
A recently released study found nonprofits are the third largest workforce in the country behind only manufacturing and retail. According to the report Nonprofits: America’s Third Largest Workforce, from Johns Hopkins Nonprofit Economic Data Project, the nonprofit sector in America employs 11.9 million people. As someone who has devoted my career to the nonprofit sector, this is… Read more »
Decoding Donor-Advised Funds: From Data to Practical
Donor-advised funds began in the 1930s, but in recent years these funds have become the fastest growing vehicle in philanthropy. Contributions to donor-advised funds grew at three times the rate of total charitable giving in 2016 according to the National Philanthropic Trust. Donor-advised funds defined: Donor-advised funds (DAF) are donor-established philanthropic funds that are maintained, operated… Read more »
Wendy shares highlights from “Giving to Religion” forum
I recently attended the Gurin Forum presented by Giving USA Foundation in Chicago, where recent research on giving to religion (commissioned by Giving USA and conducted by the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University) was presented. Giving USA has continually shown giving to religion shrinking as a part of overall giving. This forum took a deeper dive into that trend. The… Read more »
Giving has more than doubled since first National Philanthropy Day
A look at giving growth over last 30 years in Hampton Roads, where our firm is headquartered. It seems ironic now—the decade most linked with materialism and excess consumption being the birthplace to a day of benevolence. Or perhaps it was perfect timing to refocus our priorities. President Reagan officially established National Philanthropy Day… Read more »
Try the new, interactive platform “Generosity For Life”
What does the term “philanthropist” mean? Would you consider yourself to be one? What factors influence how and when people give, whether that means volunteering time or donating money? These are the key questions addressed by a new, interactive, online platform from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy called Generosity For Life. GenerosityForLife.org makes… Read more »
Positive trends seen in giving to community colleges
Good news for higher-ed advancement professionals—your hard work and investments in your fundraising program are paying off! As institutional budgets continue to shrink and the role of private philanthropy becomes more important than ever, it appears that your efforts are showing results. Last month, our president Keith Curtis, immediate past chair of Giving USA Foundation, shared with you the overall… Read more »
Positive trends seen in giving to arts, culture & humanities
With a banner year for giving to arts, culture and humanities, these organizations have employed a variety of innovative tactics to engage donors and increase the contributed revenue that supports their missions. This investment in arts fundraising has resulted in a measurable boost in success. As immediate past chair of Giving USA Foundation, last month I shared with you the overall… Read more »
Giving USA 2017: Donations reach new high of $390 billion!
American individuals, estates, foundations and corporations contributed an estimated $390.05 billion to U.S. charities in 2016, according to Giving USA 2017: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2016, released today. Giving USA is the longest-running and most comprehensive report of its kind in America. It is published by Giving USA Foundation, a public… Read more »
