Grant Makers’ Crystal Ball: Why Futurism Is Having a Moment

Plus, why we need to celebrate small donations (Opinion); and a report shines light on DAF giving ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. TRENDS [Futurism Is Having a Moment in Post-Pandemic Foundation Strategy]( By Eden Stiffman [STORY IMAGE]( Forecasting tools can help foundations prepare for climate and demographic change, emerging technologies, and threats to democracy. ADVERTISEMENT OPINION [The Decline in Small-Dollar Giving Hurts Bottom Lines — and Democracy]( By Amy Schiller [STORY IMAGE]( Mega-donations make headlines but send the message that philanthropy is for the wealthy. We need to celebrate the little gifts that add up to even more. DATA [A Comprehensive New Report on DAF Giving Is Out. One Finding: Most DAF Donors Make Unrestricted Gifts — but the Biggest Still Earmark Donations]( By Rasheeda Childress [STORY IMAGE]( Many donors give year-round, most accounts have a succession plan, and more than half support three or more charities, report finds. GIFTS ROUNDUP [Art Institute of Chicago Lands $25 Million Gift From Bucksbaum Family]( By Maria Di Mento [STORY IMAGE]( Plus, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry got $25 million from alumni couple Charles and Gloria Clough, and Colorado College and University Hospitals also received large sums. WEBINARS [February 29 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Grant makers don’t often support “overhead” or increase their giving as expenses go up each year. Yet experts say nonprofits shouldn’t shy away from talking about the need for operational support or larger grants. Join us for Seeking Support for General Operations: What to Know to learn how to make a compelling case for support that positions your organization as strong and sustainable. [March 21 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( How can your nonprofit host events that inspire donors without breaking the bank? Join us to learn from two experts how to stay within your event budget without sacrificing your donors’ experience. Plus, you’ll get creative ideas for highlighting your mission and connecting with donors at your next event. Join us for How to Host Engaging Events and Stay Within Budget. ONLINE FORUMS [March 12 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join us for the forum Boomer and Gen X Mega-Donors Are Driving Trends in Giving. You’ll learn about the giving preferences and motivations of these donors, so you can shape your outreach to wealthy individuals and plan for what’s ahead. You’ll hear from experts on big giving, and we’ll share insights from the Chronicle’s Philanthropy 50, released March 5. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has temporarily blocked a $2.46 billion settlement that the Boy Scouts made with tens of thousands of men who say they were sexually abused as scouts, in response to a request from dissenting claimants who say the agreement illegally prevents them from suing other organizations, such as local scouting councils or churches that ran scouting programs. ([Reuters]( Barbara Picower is hardly a household name, but she is one of the country’s most generous philanthropists, having given nearly $3 billion primarily to medical research, anti-poverty programs, and environmental causes since the launch of her JPB Foundation in 2011. This year, the foundation is helping to lead All By April, an effort to get donors to make early grants to pro-democracy groups in preparation for November’s elections. ([Forbes]( subscription) Background from the Chronicle: - [From Activist to Foundation Leader: Deepak Bhargava to Deliver ‘Lightning Bolt’ to Philanthropy]( More News - How the Decision to Honor a Trump Ally Tore Apart a Hall of Fame ([Washington Post]( - Will the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program Crumble? ([Religion News Service]( - Facing Budget Troubles, Some Colleges Look to Sell the President’s House ([New York Times]( - In the Belly of MrBeast ([Time]( - Travis Kelce Matches Taylor Swift’s $100K Charity Donation to KC Shooting Victims ([Deadline]( - Musk Reignites Feud with Sam Altman Over OpenAI’s Ditched Non-Profit Promise ([Forbes]( - A Year After Jimmy Carter Entered Hospice Care, Advocates Hope His Endurance Drives Awareness ([Associated Press]( - Nature Has Value. Could We Literally Invest in It? ([New York Times]( Nonprofit Oversight in San Francisco - S.F. Gave These Nonprofits Nearly $4 Billion in Contracts. Here’s How Much They Pay Their Leaders ([San Francisco Chronicle]( - Opinion: It’s Time to Confront the Nonprofit Industrial Complex ([San Francisco Examiner]( - S.F. Leaders Slam Police Department Oversight of Scandal-Plagued Nonprofit ([San Francisco Chronicle]( 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. EDITOR'S PICKS OPINION [My Essay on Why I Stopped Donating Went Viral. Here’s What I’ve Learned Since.]( By Theodore Wagenaar [STORY IMAGE]( Some of my giving practices have changed, but most of all I’ve come to see the donor-fundraiser relationship as a two-way street. MAJOR-GIFT FUNDRAISING [10 Ways to Boost Fundraising and Attract More Big Gifts This Year]( By Lisa Schohl [STORY IMAGE]( Three seasoned fundraisers share proven tactics — and lots of real examples — to help you adapt your big-gifts strategy to the current climate and maximize results. OPINION [Racial Justice Programs Under Fire: Foundations Are Running Scared When They Should Double Down]( By Lori Villarosa , Ben Francisco Maulbeck, and Gihan Perera [STORY IMAGE]( Perceived legal threats following the Supreme Court affirmative action ruling are causing grant makers to backslide, fueling notions that racial justice work is discriminatory or illegal. ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( — Fundraising events can come with a sizable price tag. With rising costs, it’s harder than ever for fundraisers to balance the desire to create an exceptional donor experience with the need to ensure an event brings in more dollars than it costs. How can nonprofits host memorable events that don’t break the bank? Join us on Thursday, March 21, at 2 p.m. Eastern to learn about proven ways to highlight your mission, connect with donors, and hit your revenue goals by keeping costs under control. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](http://). [Chief Advancement Officer, Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy]( Carnegie Mellon University [Director of Philanthropy]( Community Partners for Affordable Housing [Manager, Campaigns]( Creative Fundraising Advisors [Principal Gifts Officer]( College of the Holy Cross [Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations]( College of the Holy Cross [Vice President, YouthTruth]( YouthTruth/Center for Effective Philanthropy [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. Washington, D.C. 20037