Overall Giving Ticked Up Slightly in 2020, but Online Giving Exploded

Plus, Elon Musk and geneticist Arthur Riggs each give $100 million, and the former Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation has a new name and focus — helping strengthen democracy ADVERTISEMENT [Advertisement]( [logo] [Read this newsletter on the web](. RESEARCH [Overall Giving Ticked Up Slightly in 2020, but Online Giving Exploded, Report Says]( By Michael Theis Big charities fared the best overall, but small nonprofits achieved big growth by seeking digital gifts. ADVERTISEMENT [Advertisement]( GIFTS ROUNDUP [Elon Musk and Geneticist Arthur Riggs Each Give $100 Million]( By Maria Di Mento [image] Plus, Arthur Blank donates $17 million to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and several university land big gifts. Q&A [New Name and Focus — on Strengthening Democracy — for a Longtime Nonprofit]( By Alex Daniels [image] Democracy in serious trouble, says Rajiv Vinnakota, and he is upending the mission of the 75-year-old Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation to respond. DISPATCHES [It’s Not Advice My Grantees Need. They Need My Access to Power and Money.]( By Lisa Pilar Cowan [image] Too often financial supporters think they are helping by making recommendations to people who already know how to carry out nonprofit missions. Let’s focus on what we have to give that truly matters. Paid for and Created by CCS Fundraising [CCS Survey Shows Improved Fundraising Trends and Evolved Donor Engagement Tactics]( CCS Fundraising’s latest survey results suggest a positive indicator for the future of fundraising in an increasingly virtual world as the comfort level for virtual major gift solicitations become more widespread. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere President Joe Biden announced his plans for a White House effort to work with faith- and community-based groups on pressing social issues. Biden is directing the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships to focus on alleviating the pain of the pandemic, creating opportunity for marginalized or vulnerable groups, and promoting racial justice, democracy, and foreign humanitarian aid. The office will be led by Melissa Rogers, who held the same post from 2013 to 2017. ([Associated Press]( Plus: Opinion: Biden Bids to Be a Peacemaker in Americans’ Religious Wars ([Washington Post]( A job listing by the Indianapolis Museum of Art has poked at the sore point of racial representation in the institution’s culture. In seeking a new director, the museum appealed for candidates who could broaden its community while maintaining its “traditional core, white audience.” The current director has apologized and said the ad was meant to emphasize the museum’s seriousness about diversity. In the ensuing backlash, two independent curators have pulled out of an upcoming exhibit of Black Lives Matter street murals and are urging the museum to apologize to the artists involved in it and commit to show more works by Black artists “in perpetuity.” A diversity officer the museum hired in 2018 quit last year, citing the museum’s “toxic” and “discriminatory” culture. ([New York Times]( In his new book on fighting climate change, Bill Gates puts his faith in innovation and free markets, but philanthropy sparked his activism. In traveling to developing countries for the work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates saw early on how disease and poverty are linked to the climate crisis. He also saw how the critical work of bringing cheap energy to darkened communities could inflame the crisis. His efforts are bringing additional scrutiny to how billionaires can best change the world. ([Wall Street Journal]( — subscription) Plus: How Does Bill Gates Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis? ([New York Times]( Also: Can Billionaires Really Save Us From Climate Disaster? ([Outside]( More News - Nonprofits to Play Pivotal Role When Asylum-Seekers Are Allowed Into the U.S., Border Leaders Say ([Border Report]( - Michael Jordan Donates $10M to Open 2 New Health Clinics in N.C. ([Bleacher Report]( - Vatican Charity in Spotlight Over Old Sex Assault Allegation ([Associated Press]( About Covid Relief and Treatment - Restaurants Throw Away a Lot of Food. These Volunteers Pick It Up First and Take It to People Who Are Hungry. ([Washington Post]( - ‘I Put My Life on Hold:’ Disability Groups Plead for Vaccine ([Washington Post]( - Fauci Wins $1 Million Israeli Prize for ‘Defending Science’ ([Associated Press]( - The Ivy League Is Still on the Sidelines. Wealthy Alumni Are Not Happy. ([Wall Street Journal]( — subscription) Subscribe to the Chronicle The Chronicle of Philanthropy is dedicated to helping nonprofits care for their clients and staff, manage financial setbacks, and stay connected with donors. Please consider subscribing, so that we may continue to provide essential news, resources, and analysis to the nonprofit world. [Subscribe Today]( Editor's Picks GIVING [More Millennials Than Boomers Plan to Give $500 or More This Year]( By Emily Haynes [image] The Covid-19 pandemic did not spoil charitable giving, and in some cases has even inspired bigger gifts, according to findings from two new surveys from technology companies FrontStream and Data Axle. ONLINE BRIEFING [What to Know About 3 Charity Monitoring Groups]( By Margie Fleming Glennon [image] Get an quick overview of some of the best known charity-monitoring organizations. OPINION [In the Covid Era, Nonprofits Have No Choice but to Go Online]( By John MacIntosh Nonprofits will face intense competition, staffing challenges, and new pressures from grant makers and donors as they are forced to accelerate their shift to a digital world. OPINION [Philanthropy Should Join Forces With Mayors to Tackle the Nation’s Multiple Crises]( By Anil Hurkadli [image] Innovative city programs offer grant makers the breadth and scale they are looking for to tackle racial injustice, climate change, and other challenges. FUNDRAISING [Year-End Fundraising Results Were Mixed. Digital Outreach Was Critical.]( By Eden Stiffman [image] Nonprofits anticipate that demand for services will remain high in 2021. Many worry about donor fatigue. Job announcement Executive Director search for Lowcountry Local First. [Visit jobs.philanthropy.com]( for more details. ADVERTISEMENT [Advertisement]( Paid for and Created by Ellucian [Advancement in Uncertain Times]( Now more than ever, is the time for institutions to foster a culture of philanthropy and empower advancement teams to help reengage their communities. Steps to Take to Diversify Your Donors [Join Our Webinar]( — Nonprofit leaders and fundraisers often focus on white supporters but overlook donors of color who would give more if asked. Those executives who want to broaden outreach to include more people of color often don’t know how to start. How can your nonprofit engage and attract support from donors of many backgrounds? Join the Chronicle on Thursday, February 25, at 2 p.m. Eastern. You'll learn from the president of a consulting firm, a major donor, and the executive director of a nonprofit who will outline key steps to take to attract diverse donors and grant makers. They'll explain why a diverse staff and board matter, how to ensure communications are inclusive, and ways to build a broader base of support. [Sign up now and get the early-bird rate](. Job Opportunities [Executive Director]( Midori Foundation [Executive Director]( Lowcountry Local First [Program Officer]( Episcopal Health Foundation [Development Specialist, Social and Environmental Justice Nonprofit Organization]( Phoenix Zones Initiative [Search the Chronicle's jobs database]( to view the latest jobs in philanthropy. What did you think of today’s newsletter? [Strongly disliked]( // [It was OK]( // [Loved it](. [logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. 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