What Religion's Decline Means for Nonprofits

Plus, Crystal Hayling, pioneering grant-making leader, is set to retire ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. FAITH AND THE NONPROFIT [What Philanthropy and Nonprofits Lose as Religion Fades]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( As many as 30 percent of churches may close in the next 20 years, leaving philanthropy to confront questions about how much faith matters to its work — and how to fill the void it may leave. Plus, see the rest of our [December issue]( posted online today. ADVERTISEMENT PEOPLE [Retiring Philanthropy Leader Was Always ‘a Step or Two Ahead of the Pack’]( By Eden Stiffman [STORY IMAGE]( Crystal Hayling continually challenged conventional wisdom, practicing trust-based philanthropy before it was fashionable. WEBINARS [January 18, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( How can you keep supporters connected to, and inspired by, your cause in uncertain times? Join us for the webinar Developing a Donor-Engagement Plan for 2024 to get tips and tactics for mapping out a year-long strategy that you can adjust as conditions warrant. You’ll learn how to prioritize tactics and communication channels that get results, keep your cause top of mind among supporters, and lay a strong foundation for year-end fundraising appeals. SPONSOR CONTENT | Center for Creative Leadership [3 Key Elements to Building Trust Within your Organization]( Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online Bucking a trend, some hospitals in Charlotte, N.C., have rejected a charity’s offer to buy their bad debt in order to forgive it. Atrium Health and Novant Health, two large systems in the region, rebuffed overtures from RIP Medical Debt and a local church, citing their own charity care and financial aid programs. Atrium said one-time assistance should go toward other needs, such as public-health measures, and that “working with RIP could undermine efforts to get people to sign up for Medicaid.” But an executive with RIP said aid programs rarely catch all who qualify and most of the debt in question is not collectible. Mecklenburg County, where Charlotte is located, has a higher rate of families with delinquent medical debt than the national average. ([Charlotte Ledger/N.C. Health News]( Background from the Chronicle: - [Charities That Curb Medical Debt for the Needy Are Growing Fast — and Innovating]( - [CEO of RIP Medical Debt Talks About Innovation and Debt Cancellation]( Nonprofits near California’s southern border are scrambling to deal with a crush of migrants, as Border Patrol agents drop off tens of thousands on San Diego streets. Groups are spending thousands of dollars each day to help the several hundred migrants who come daily. Women, children, and the elderly typically go to shelters, but men or others deemed less vulnerable are sometimes dropped off at bus stops with no guidance. San Diego County opened a $3 million welcome center in September, and hopes to open a second one, where nonprofits offer the newcomers food, toiletries, and help reaching their final destinations. ([CalMatters]( Background from the Chronicle: - [Immigrant Donors and Philanthropy’s Efforts to Help Immigrants in Need]( More News - Harvard Under Heightened Pressure After Penn Leaders Ousted ([Bloomberg]( - Inside the Chaotic Struggle for Power at Penn ([New York Times]( - Harvard Faculty, Black Alumni Push to Save President After Antisemitism Testimony ([Washington Post]( - This NYC Neighborhood Ranked Most Generous in the U.S. On Charity Platform ([New York Post]( - ‘Never Seen Anything Like This': Metro Detroit Food Pantries See Spike in Need ([Detroit Free Press]( - Nonprofit Plans to Transform a Former Oil Drilling Site in South L.A. Into Affordable Housing ([Los Angeles Times]( - Project Veritas CEO Jumps Ship After Finding ‘Evidence of Past Illegality’ ([Daily Beast]( - Many Vermont Mutual Aid Efforts Born During Covid-19 Continue Their Work ([VTDigger]( Opinion - Rajiv J. Shah: The Only Way to Prevent the Worst of Climate Change ([Boston Globe]( - All Nonprofits Should Have Tax Transparency. Hospitals Shouldn’t Have Special Rules ([Idaho Statesman]( - Does MacKenzie Scott’s Philanthropy Really Change Anything? ([Daily Beast]( - Diaspora Jews Need to Divert From Anti-Israel Philanthropy ([Jerusalem Post]( - DEI Drives Campus Antisemitism ([Wall Street Journal]( subscription Note: In the links in this section, we flag articles that only subscribers can access. But because some journalism outlets offer a limited number of free articles, readers may encounter barriers with other articles we highlight in this roundup. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. EDITOR'S PICKS YEAR-END GIVING [Big Gifts, DAF Contributions Will Be Key to Year-End, Fundraisers Say]( By Emily Haynes [STORY IMAGE]( Some nonprofits are sharing blunt messages about financial woes in an effort to spur donations. DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS [The $10 Billion Charity No One Has Heard Of]( By Alex Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( The SDG Impact Fund is a donor-advised fund that grew from $238 million to $10 billion in one year. It has prompted some questions from experts. BIG PHILANTHROPY [MacKenzie Scott Reveals the Groups That Got Some of Her $2.1 Billion in Gifts in 2023]( By Thalia Beaty, Associated Press [STORY IMAGE]( This year’s contributions went mostly to groups working on economic security, education, equity, and health. SPONSOR CONTENT | Community Heart & Soul [The Difference Civic Engagement Can Make]( Discover how this nonprofit has invested in civic engagement to bring communities together and inspire change. ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( — Fundraisers and nonprofit communicators know how vital it is to keep donors regularly informed and inspired by your work. The year ahead is likely to be filled with distractions — from ongoing economic uncertainty and geopolitical strife to a U.S. presidential election — so cutting through the noise will take creativity and thoughtful planning. How can you keep supporters connected to your cause in unpredictable times? Join us on Thursday, January 18, at 2 p.m. Eastern for a 75-minute webinar to get tips and tactics for mapping out a year-long strategy that you can adjust as current events or economic conditions warrant. You’ll learn how to prioritize tactics and communication channels that get results and lay a strong foundation for year-end fundraising appeals. Don't miss this chance to start the year off strong. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](http://). [Executive Director of Gift Planning (Development & Alumni Engagement)]( Centre College [Head of Corporate Development]( Water.org [Manager of Institutional Giving and Grant Writer]( Hispanic Society of America, Museum Department [Manager of Individual Giving]( Hispanic Society of America, Museum Department [Executive Assistant / Campaign Manager]( University of Mount Olive [Associate Vice President for Development]( University of Mount Olive [Search other jobs.]( [Chronicle of Philanthropy Logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2023 [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037