How to Keep Donors Close — and Boost Giving

Plus, foundation assets swelled in 2023, but giving grew modestly; and Northwestern lands $51 million for a new cancer center ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. DONOR ENGAGEMENT [Create a Smart Annual Outreach Plan to Keep Donors Close — and Boost Giving]( By Lisa Schohl [STORY IMAGE]( Development teams need a road map for staying in touch with supporters if they want to hit fundraising goals in a complicated year. Plus, find out what fundraisers are doing to [attract — and hold onto — everyday donors](. ADVERTISEMENT FINANCE AND REVENUE [Foundations Gave $97.5 Billion Last Year as Assets Hit Record Highs]( By Sara Herschander [STORY IMAGE]( The increase comes after a blockbuster year for the stock market, which defied gloomy predictions, and to an influx of large donations. GRANTS ROUNDUP [St. George Corporation Gives $51 Million to Northwestern Medicine for a New Cancer Institute]( By M.J. Prest [STORY IMAGE]( Also, the Kansas Health Foundation will award $30 million to 30 grassroots organizations that advance racial health equity throughout the state, and Citi Foundation will give $25 million to develop and promote solutions to address homelessness. 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 | The California Endowment [Could Impact Investing Be the Future of Philanthropy?]( Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online Hedge fund billionaire and Harvard alum Ken Griffin, who has given $450 million to the university over the past decade, said he will stop donating to the school unless Harvard abandons its diversity, equity, and inclusion “agenda”; takes more seriously rising antisemitism on campus; and refocuses on “educating young American men and women to be leaders and problem solvers.” ([Bloomberg]( Background from the Chronicle: - [Donor Revolts, Fundraising Fallout, and Why the Ivy League’s Turmoil Matters to All Nonprofits]( Nearly a year and a half after Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard and his family gave away the outdoor-clothing company, it has set up a network of nonprofits and put $71 million into conservation and political causes, including protecting nearly 163,000 acres of land globally and helping elect Democrats to Congress and down the ballot this year. ([New York Times]( Background from the Chronicle: - [Patagonia’s Founder Has Given His Company a Way to Fight Climate Change and Advance Conservation: 5 Questions Answered]( - [The House GOP Wants to Probe Nonprofits. Both Left and Right Have Pushed Back]( More News - As Shelter System Struggles, Mass. Governor to Launch Pilot Program to House, Employ Migrants ([Boston Globe]( - At Trial, NRA Leader LaPierre Acknowledges He Wrongly Expensed Private Flights, Gifts ([Associated Press]( - What’s Going on With No Labels and Its Nonprofit Status in FL And Elsewhere? ([Florida Phoenix]( - San Diego’s Arts Nonprofits Not Just ‘Food for the Soul’: They Pumped $1.4 Billion Into Region’s Economy ([San Diego Union-Tribune]( - Venezuelan Migrants Booted From Seattle-Area Hotel After Nonprofit Credit Card Maxes Out ([KUOW]( - Everyone Says Trees Are Good for Us. This Scientist Wants to Prove It. ([Washington Post]( - Opinion: Nonprofit Hospitals Need Novel Policy Solutions for Tax Reform ([Bloomberg Tax]( 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 2024 TRENDS [The Next Test of the Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Decision: Race-Based Foundation Grants]( By Alex Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( The Fearless Fund, an Atlanta-based venture-capital firm, and its associated foundation face a lawsuit arguing that its grants targeted to Black women entrepreneurs violate civil-rights laws. INTERVIEW [TED’s Chris Anderson: How to Make Kindness — and Giving — Go Viral]( By Sara Herschander [STORY IMAGE]( In his new book “Infectious Giving,” Anderson argues nonprofit leaders and philanthropists have a role in reclaiming the Internet. OPINION [Fewer People Want to Lead Nonprofits. What’s the Answer?]( By Frances Kunreuther and Sean Thomas-Breitfeld [STORY IMAGE]( A new study finds that aspiring leaders, especially those of color, aren’t being pulled into leadership through support and positive role models but are more often pushed into top positions to escape difficult work circumstances. SPONSOR CONTENT | The California Endowment [Lessons in Philanthropic Leadership]( Dr. Robert Ross reflects on his 23-year journey as CEO at The California Endowment and shares the key to initiating transformative change. 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://). [Director of Development]( International Orthodox Christian Charities [Associate Director, Donor Engagement]( Brooklyn Botanic Garden [Executive Director, Civil Rights/Social Action]( American Humanist Association [Director of Foundation Relationships, International Aid]( International Samaritan [Search other jobs.]( [Chronicle of Philanthropy Logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. 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