We Learned the Hard Way That Trust-Based Philanthropy Doesn’t Work (Opinion)

Plus, how fundraisers can get their messages through election-year noise; and choosing the right technology for your nonprofit ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. OPINION | WHAT WE'VE LEARNED [My Organization Nixed Trust-Based Philanthropy. Here’s What We Discovered.]( By Dan Goldenberg [STORY IMAGE]( Without accountability, the author found, trust-based philanthropy is little more than a feel-good exercise. ADVERTISEMENT 2024 TRENDS [Presidential Election Years Mean Louder News Cycles. Here’s How Fundraisers Can Cut Through the Noise]( By Emily Haynes [STORY IMAGE]( Election years can be challenging for nonprofit fundraisers — and some are already bracing for an uphill climb. VIDEO [From A.I. to Excel: How to Choose the Right Tech for Your Nonprofit]( By Sara Herschander [STORY IMAGE]( Technology today plays a key role in creating a sustainable and vibrant nonprofit. Several experts joined the Chronicle in an online forum to discuss how charities of all sizes can embrace new tools, from the most advanced A.I. models to the simplest of spreadsheets WEBINARS [February 8 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( More nonprofits are relying on major gifts to hit fundraising goals, as giving at lower levels ebbs. Whether you want to attract new donors or inspire greater giving among current supporters, join us for Proven Strategies for Connecting with Major Donors. You’ll learn directly from two veteran fundraisers which strategies are working best in the current climate to attract support from wealthy individuals, proven ways to keep them in the fold, and how to deepen ties with them in the year ahead. SPONSOR CONTENT | Bridging: How to Connect Across Differences [Independent Sector]( ONLINE FORUMS [Today: January 23 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join us for a review of the risks and rewards of Fundraising in the Age of A.I. Our panel of nonprofit, higher-ed, and tech leaders will explore the emerging benefits of A.I. fundraising tools. You’ll learn which questions you should be asking now, how technology may reshape fundraising, and get a glimpse of what’s on the horizon with Daniel Hadley of the University of Utah, Elizabeth Searing of the University of Texas at Dallas, and Kim Snyder of Roundtable Technology. [January 30 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Start the new year with insights from the Chronicle. Join CEO Stacy Palmer and a panel of reporters for Key Nonprofit Trends to Watch in 2024. They’ll explore the fundraising outlook for the year ahead, steps nonprofits are taking to solve hiring and retention challenges, the future of trust-based philanthropy, and the ways nonprofits and foundations are navigating the impact of last year’s Supreme Court affirmative action decision. Learn from the seasoned journalists who cover these issues: Rasheeda Childress, Alex Daniels, and Jim Rendon. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online OneTen, a nonprofit coalition of corporations aiming to get more Black people into well-paying jobs, is shifting to an “equity for all” approach in light of the growing backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. ([New York Times]( Background from the Chronicle: [The Next Test of the Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Decision: Race-Based Foundation Grants]( Opinion: Big Philanthropy is essentially a way for taxpayers to subsidize the passion projects, and sometimes whims, of the very rich, even as it exacerbates inequality when foundations with growing assets give a preponderance of grants to already well-funded recipients. ([Mother Jones]( More News - How the Guardian Raised a Record Amount of Reader Revenue in the U.S. ([Nieman Lab]( - New York City Plans to Wipe Out $2 Billion in Medical Debt for 500,000 Residents ([Associated Press]( - Immigrant Farmworkers Get Help Buying Farmland from this Nonprofit ([Civil Eats]( - Museum Leaders Urge NYC Mayor to Reverse Budget Cuts ([Hyperallergic]( - Nonprofit Stages Huge Expansion to Send More Washington State Kids to College ([Seattle Times]( - Animal Nonprofits in Central Mass. Are Seeing Record Demand While Donations Remain Stagnant ([Worcester Business Journal]( - Brown University Looks to Repatriate Over 80 Native Remains ([WBUR]( - A Leading Land Art Installation Is Imperiled. By Its Patron. ([New York Times]( 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. SPONSOR CONTENT | The California Endowment [Lessons in Philanthropic Leadership]( The final part to Dr. Robert Ross’s journey in learning how to connect with communities and initiate transformative change. EDITOR'S PICKS 2024 TRENDS [Has the Giving Crisis Reached the Point of No Return?]( By Rasheeda Childress [STORY IMAGE]( The giving crisis is finally beginning to hit nonprofits where it hurts — the pocketbook. But organizations are fighting to win back everyday donors. 2024 TRENDS [The Next Hurdle for Trust-Based Philanthropy: Showing Impact]( By Alex Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( Proponents have pressed for a less top-down relationship with nonprofits, and new approaches are now widespread. But their effectiveness isn’t yet known. INTERVIEW [How A.I. Could Solve Humanity’s Biggest Problems — If Philanthropy Catches Up]( By Sara Herschander [STORY IMAGE]( The president of the McGovern Foundation is focused on how the nonprofit sector can use A.I. to deploy useful tools and solve wicked problems. ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( — Charities’ dependence on wealthy donors is growing as giving at lower levels ebbs. Women continue to influence big giving and now wealthy millennial and Gen Z households are making their mark. How are big-gift fundraisers successfully cultivating donors? Are economic pressures causing any shifts in strategy? Join us on Thursday, February 8, at 2 p.m. Eastern for a 75-minute webinar to learn directly from fundraising leaders about the outlook for 2024 and how best to connect with wealthy donors in the year ahead. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](http://). [Associate Vice President of Advancement]( Adelphi University [Director of Development]( Marillac St. Vincent [Partnership Officer]( Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS [Director of Advancement]( Brooklyn Friends School [Director of Development, Land & Water Conservation, Outdoor Recreation]( Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy [Director of Development, Theatre & Education Industry]( The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles [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. © 2024 [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. 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