“The Greater Good” – What drives high-net-worth giving across generations

Posted , by Sarah Fargusson, Client Manager. Topic: High-Net-Worth Individuals, Philanthropy Research & Events.

How do your major donors define “a life well-lived”? This is one of the key questions addressed in the 2015 Insights on Wealth and Worth Survey, conducted by the U.S. Trust. Since 1993, this periodic survey of wealthy individuals and families has highlighted differences and similarities in values and, ultimately, what motivates giving. This year,… Read more »

Giving USA shows Americans donated record total

Posted , by Keith Curtis, President. Topic: Giving USA.

Where did the money come from, where did it go and how do we apply these trends to future fundraising? Milestone giving in a milestone year. What better news could I hope for in my term as chair of Giving USA Foundation? As the longest-running and most comprehensive report on charitable giving in the country, Giving… Read more »

New giving projections raise new questions

Posted , by Keith Curtis, Founder and President. Topic: Giving USA.

What giving trends are you seeing in your nonprofit work? One comprehensive take can be found in the just-released “Philanthropy Outlook: 2015 & 2016,” developed by our Giving USA Foundation research partner The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, and funded by one of our Giving Institute colleagues, Marts & Lundy. As chair of the… Read more »

Giving USA Discussion at the Hudson Institute

Posted , by Wendy McGrady, Executive Vice President. Topic: Giving USA.

I was honored to be invited again and to participate in The Hudson Institute’s Giving USA Release 2014 panel. My colleagues on the panel represented The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, The Urban Institute, and the Nonprofit Quarterly. Once the numbers were delivered, my comments were focused on how… Read more »

Blackbaud Releases Annual Charitable Giving Report, Five Key Takeaways

Posted , by Robin Paez, Development Coordinator. Topic: Philanthropy Research & Events.

You know how your nonprofit fared in 2013, but how did the rest of the industry do? Blackbaud‘s annual Charitable Giving Report provides year-over-year changes in online and offline giving by nonprofit size and sub-sector. It’s always good to benchmark your organization’s performance against other nonprofits. The study includes data from over 400 nonprofits representing $1.7… Read more »

Women in Philanthropy: A Driving Force

Posted , by Erin Phillips, Marketing Director. Topic: Philanthropy Research & Events.

More than ever before women are generating their own fortunes and in turn playing an increasing role in philanthropy. Not only are women continuing to shape how family wealth is given away, but they are emerging as key networkers and pioneers in the growing trend of giving circles. They are bringing people together to mobilize… Read more »

Emerging Trend: The Case for Growth Capital

Posted , by Wendy McGrady, Vice President. Topic: Funds and Funders, Philanthropy Research & Events.

At The Giving Institute’s November board meeting, Rodney Christopher of the F.B. Heron Foundation and Richard Shaw of Youth Villages delivered a thought-provoking presentation on an emerging trend in philanthropy called growth capital. The basic premise the speakers suggested is that healthy organizations can achieve greater success through investments of growth capital. Foundations seeking measurable,… Read more »

Pledge to Give

Posted , by Kaitlin Robb, Consultant. Topic: Philanthropy Research & Events.

What would you say if someone asked you to give 50% of your net worth to charity? My guess is that most would gasp at the mere idea of it. However, with the desire to truly make a significant positive impact, Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet started “The Giving Pledge.” Made public in… Read more »

Philanthropy as Corporate R&D

Posted , by Erin Phillips, Marketing Director and Consultant. Topic: Philanthropy Research & Events.

A recent article by Doug Conant, chairman of CECP (Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy) and former CEO and president of Campbell Soup Company, sparked dialogue among our colleagues at The Curtis Group. Conant convincingly makes the case of how philanthropy can “help companies reduce risks, open new markets, engage employees, build their brand, reduce costs, advance… Read more »

Study Finds Baby Boomers Give the Most, Among Other Generational Trends

Posted , by Robin Paez, development coordinator. Topic: Philanthropy Research & Events.

Although Baby Boomers make up only 34 percent of the donor pool, they are the generation responsible for giving the lion’s share of donations to charities. In an online survey conducted by a division of Blackbaud, results showed that Boomers gave 43 percent of all money contributed by individuals. And when factoring in giving by… Read more »