Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy

Latest Research & Insights

Partners No More? Government and Philanthropy Navigate a Fractured Relationship

Government and philanthropy have long been partners: sometimes uneasy, but aligned in purpose. As of 2025, they look more like adversaries. ...

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Inside The Foundation Review, Vol. 18, Issue 2

The articles in this issue explore the gaps between what foundations say they value and what their structures, habits, and incentives actually produce — and ask what it will take ...

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Convergence: A Global Realignment for Community Foundations

Different types of community foundations are working to share knowledge and build closer relationships, which is helping to strengthen the global community foundation field overall. ...

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Across Borders, Beyond Blueprints: The Global Evolution of Community Foundations

This essay explores what U.S. community foundations might learn from peers who adapted key aspects of the community foundation model in the absence of concentrated private wealth, favorable tax codes, ...

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Community Foundations in the United States: Origins, Evolution, and the Turn Toward Community Leadership

This essay traces the origins and evolution of community foundations in the U.S., from the founding of the Cleveland Foundation in 1914 to today, and suggests a path toward reclaiming ...

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Defining “Philanthropy,” Part II: Reclaiming What Philanthropy Was Always Meant to Be

This essays suggests we can reclaim the true definition of "philanthropy" by looking at how people actually give — not through the lens of foundations and endowments, but through the ...

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Defining “Philanthropy,” Part I: Love of Humankind

In this essay, Michael Layton examines how the definition of the word "philanthropy" has narrowed over time and makes the case that the fuller meaning is still available to us, ...

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More Than a Neighborhood: The Many Meanings of “Community”

This essay explores the contours of community as a concept and an empirical phenomenon — one that can be a source of support and healing, but can also divide and ...

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Grounded in Purpose: What Philanthropy Can Learn From Psychology

In the midst of what feels like chaos, we urge the sector to move beyond recognizing and naming the existential threats we are collectively experiencing and to take action. ...

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Inside The Foundation Review, Volume 18, Issue 1

This issue of The Foundation Review draws attention to topics often overlooked in mainstream research — everyday decisions and infrastructure choices that shape philanthropic practice and its impact. ...

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Report // Rooted In Community: The Infrastructure Powering Collective Giving

Drawing on previous research, this 2026 report examines the essential infrastructure of people, organizations, and resources that support and sustain the collective giving movement. ...

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Webinar // 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2026

In this recorded webinar, a panel of field experts discuss the latest trends in philanthropy based on the Johnson Center’s 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2026 report. ...

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Report // The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation

This case study examines the Clark Foundation’s experience implementing its limited-life strategy, balancing the pursuit of immediate, measurable outcomes with the cultivation of strengthened capacity in partner institutions. ...

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Report // Funding LGBTQ+ Projects

A fundraising guide to support LGBTQ+ movement leaders navigating the complex challenges of a harsh funding reality. ...

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Informe // Financiación de proyectos LGBTQ+

Una guía de recaudación de fondos para apoyar a los líderes del movimiento LGBTQ+ que enfrentan los complejos desafíos de una dura realidad financiera. ...

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Report // 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2026

Experts and thought leaders from the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy have examined changes in the field and identified 11 trends in philanthropy that we expect to see impacting ...

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11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2026

For this tenth edition of the Trends report, we reflect on the themes that have shaped our sector over the past ten years and name both enduring shifts and new ...

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The Evolving Landscape of Philanthropy: Collective Practices, Digital Tools, and the Search for Connection

Philanthropy is shifting from institutional to participatory and from elite to networked as digital tools expand access and collective practices redistribute power among the new generation of philanthropists. ...

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Donors Face New Dangers Amid Increasing Political Violence and Attacks on Charitable Foundations

Attacks on public figures, executive orders and rhetoric that target specific nonprofits, and widespread instability have donors concerned about the safety of giving. ...

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Employee Well-Being at Risk During Times of Hyper Disruption

Nonprofit organizations are facing increasingly existential challenges — challenges that not only put their missions at risk, but threaten the well-being of their most valuable resource: their staff. ...

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We Need Data and We Need Context. Both Are at Risk.

With federal datasets disappearing and trust in institutions continuing to decline, philanthropy must find ways to secure the data resources and capacity we need. ...

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Partners No More? Government and Philanthropy Navigate a Fractured Relationship

Government and philanthropy have long been partners: sometimes uneasy, but aligned in purpose. As of 2025, they look more like adversaries. ...

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Community-Led Movements are Driving Climate Action

Climate action from grassroots organizations, Indigenous communities, and large-scale funders alike is working to fill the gaping holes left by eliminated federal funding, research teams, and entire agencies. ...

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Innovation and Survival: The Charitable Sector is Looking for New Ways to Work

Facing unprecedented threats, some nonprofits are contracting while others reinvent themselves through experimentation, bifurcating into two distinct streams: how funding is organized, and how operations are structured. ...

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Where the Government Steps Back, Business and Philanthropy Can Step Forward Together

In this era of hyper-disruption, navigating the tension between business goals and social goals will be a natural part of any partnership or crossover between business and philanthropy. ...

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Public and Nonprofit Media are Facing Existential Threats

Public and nonprofit media are grappling with declining public trust, long-standing financial instability, and continued digital disruption, all while disinformation makes reliable news more important than ever. ...

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Weighing the Power of AI Against Its Impact

In the three years since generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools became widely available to the public, we have seen an extraordinary rate of growth and change. AI's next era must ...

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Beyond Good Intentions, Nonprofits Must Show Good Work to Build Trust

Nonprofits must show they are competent — good at doing the work — in order to build trust with the public. ...

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Fewer Than 50% of People Trust Nonprofits to Protect Their Data

Research shows nonprofits enjoy higher public trust than other sectors, but a new study from the Johnson Center shows that goodwill doesn't necessarily mean the public trusts nonprofits to protect ...

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Report // Annual DAF Report 2025

As DAFs grow in prevalence, accurate, neutral, and accessible information is critical to understanding their impact. This report provides a reliable reference for the size, scope, and charitable activity of ...

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Artificial Intelligence and Philanthropy

This issue features articles on the use of AI in philanthropy, highlighting leaders who forged ahead while acknowledging risks, deploying AI for different purposes, and then thoughtfully reflecting on their ...

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Public Trust in Transition

Building on previous research, we examine the extent to which the public trusts nonprofits, government, corporations, and others, and whether that trust is consistent across sectors and sub-sectors. ...

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Meeting Points: Places of Connection, Transition, and Change

Fiscal year 2024-2025 was a year of meeting points and connections for the Johnson Center. We experienced these intersections in powerful ways — as an organization and as part of ...

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The Current Landscape of Hybrid and Remote Work Across U.S. Workers

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of hybrid work models, especially in nonprofits. Despite initial shifts, the majority of U.S. workers have returned to fully on-site work, challenging assumptions about ...

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Trustworthy or Not: Trust, Generosity, and the Role of Community Foundations in Mexico

In Mexico, community foundations are building vital bridges of trust between donors and civil society, turning philanthropic intent into lasting local impact. ...

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The Power of Listening to Communities

Articles in this issue share the core premise that all funder listening is not equally beneficial. How listening is defined and how funders put it into action make a major ...

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The Math Behind the Tax: How Proposed Private Foundation Tax Increases Could Reshape Grants to Nonprofits

The Johnson Center analyzed proposed tax increases for private foundations contained in the version of the 2025 tax bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. These changes could result ...

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Webinar // National Study on Donor Advised Funds: Managers & Donors

This webinar marked the release of two new reports from the Donor Advised Funds Research Collaborative (DAFRC). ...

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Inside The Foundation Review, Volume 17, Issue 1

The articles in Volume 17, Issue 1 of The Foundation Review each tell us something about a concept that is top-of-mind today: our ability to be resilient in the face ...

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Report // National Survey of Donor Advised Fund Donors

The National Survey of Donor Advised Fund Donors is the third report in a research series produced by the Donor Advised Funds Research Collaborative. ...

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Report // National Survey of Donor Advised Fund Managers

This report highlights information about DAF sponsors’ strategies, operational capacity, philanthropic advising, internal policy execution, and marketing. ...

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Practice Guide // Adopting Community-Centric Fundraising

This practice guide accompanies the report, "Adopting Community-Centric Fundraising: Findings from a National Study." ...

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America’s Population is Rapidly Aging. Can Philanthropy Keep Up?

By 2034, older adults will outnumber children for the first time. As aging issues gain prominence in public policy and philanthropy, stakeholders must embrace innovative approaches to ensure equitable and ...

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Q&A with the Authors of the New Report, “Adopting Community-Centric Fundraising”

Ahead of the publication of new research on Community-Centric Fundraising, the researchers sat down to discuss what inspired them to do this work and what they learned about doing fundraising ...

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A Day of Service Leading to a Lifetime of Generosity

GVSU students and staff participated in the National Day of Service to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and commitment to civic action. ...

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Webinar // 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2025

A panel of social sector experts shares an engaging conversation around this year’s trends in philanthropy based on the Johnson Center’s 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2025 report. ...

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Nonprofits and Government Revenue: Understanding a Complex Relationship

How reliant are nonprofits on federal government funding? Two studies released in recent weeks tackle this question from different angles, offering insights that not only illuminate the current funding landscape ...

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Report // Adopting Community-Centric Fundraising

This national study examines the adoption of Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) practices across U.S. nonprofit organizations. ...

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Four Key Factors are Driving a Surge in Nonprofit Lobbying Activities

This article unpacks the hurdles, successes, and future opportunities shaping the sector’s evolving role in policymaking — and why it matters now more than ever. ...

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Report // 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2025

Experts and thought leaders from the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy have examined changes in the field and identified 11 trends in philanthropy that we expect to see impacting ...

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11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2025

Our 2025 Trends report examines topics including collective giving, nonprofit lobbying, limited-life philanthropy, giving days, the future of volunteering, social justice, nonprofit workplace wellness, and more! ...

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The Nonprofit Workforce is in Crisis

More organizations and communities are experimenting with innovative programs and strategies for managing the nonprofit workplace wellness crisis, but skepticism remains as to whether or not our field will finally ...

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The Movement to Fund Democracy is Learning Important Lessons

Since the 2016 election, billions of dollars have been invested in areas like voting rights, fair elections, and civil discourse. But challenges like inequitable access to civic resources and a ...

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Evolution and Challenges of Social Justice Philanthropy in a Polarized Era

As organizations grapple with the pressures of polarization and social justice backlash, marginalized communities risk losing essential support systems — and what progress we have been able to make in ...

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Increasing Efforts to Address the Health Professional Shortage

The U.S. is facing a national shortage of healthcare workers driven by post-pandemic burnout among professionals, growing demands for services from an aging population, rising education costs, and more. ...

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What Does the Future of Volunteering Look Like?

Volunteer programs remain underfunded and undervalued, despite evidence linking them to broader philanthropic participation. Nonprofits and funders must invest in new approaches and rethink opportunities to fit the needs of ...

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With Unique Approaches and Millions Raised, Giving Days Grow Up

GivingTuesday has helped to spur a wave of organization-specific giving days that leverage the familiarity and model of the 24-hour digital event to build community and drive donations from first-time ...

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Tax “Cliff” in 2025 Could Mean Major Change for Philanthropy and Nonprofits

The charitable sector stands at a crossroads as the tax code’s impending 2025 overhaul promises sweeping changes. As lawmakers prepare, the philanthropic community must decide how to engage — or ...

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More Foundations Opt for Planned Lifespans and Spend-Down Strategies

An increasing number of philanthropic families and foundations are choosing a spend-down, or limited-life, approach to their giving, and lessons and legacies are already beginning to emerge. ...

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Collective Giving Projected to Double in the Next Five Years

New research highlights how collective giving is diversifying philanthropy, empowering marginalized voices, and redefining generosity beyond financial contributions. ...

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Report // Patterns in the Tapestry: A Typology of Collective Giving Groups

Drawing on previous research, this 2024 report delves deeper into the diversity and dynamics of collective giving groups. ...

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Webinar // From Article to Action: Using Insights from The Foundation Review to Make Change

Featuring top authors from The Foundation Review, this webinar shares innovations, examples, and tools for taking concrete steps toward change. ...

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Informe // Conectando la filantropía comunitaria y familiar en América Latina: México

Este informe comparte una investigación pionera sobre la conexión entre la filantropía comunitaria y familiar en México. ...

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Report // Connecting Community and Family Philanthropy in Latin America: Mexico

This report shares groundbreaking research on the connection between community and family philanthropy in Mexico. ...

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Julia Coffman Named Editor-in-Chief of The Foundation Review

The Johnson Center is thrilled to announce that Julia Coffman, senior advisor and founder of the Center for Evaluation Innovation (CEI), will be the next editor-in-chief of The Foundation Review, ...

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Social Justice Donors vs. Mainstream Wealthy Donors: A Comparative Analysis

A new report reveals social justice donors' intentional focus on systemic issues, broader giving, and strategic philanthropy, in stark contrast with general wealthy donors. ...

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With Thousands of Incarcerated Students Enrolled in Higher Education, How do We Measure Success?

Leaders across philanthropy, higher ed, and government are wrestling with the traditional use of recidivism as a marker of success, and are considering alternative measures. ...

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TikTok: A New Frontier for Philanthropy?

TikTok users are embracing a new form of community-driven philanthropy by helping creators earn money through engagement, highlighting a unique, algorithm-fueled approach to mutual aid. ...

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Democracy, Equity, and Power

In this special 15th-anniversary issue on democracy, equity, and power, we explore the implications of the current climate at the intersection of philanthropy, social justice, and nonprofit support. ...

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A Year of Reflection, Learning, and Action

Fiscal year 2024 was a time of energizing and honest reflection for the Johnson Center — a year of learning and of action. ...

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Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities and Disaggregated Data

Michigan's task force improved data collection on racial disparities in COVID-19 to address systemic healthcare inequities. ...

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A Wake-Up Call for Investing in the South

Despite facing generational challenges, the U.S. South has seen relatively little institutional philanthropic investment. Major new investments and initiatives could spark a larger shift in attention and funding. ...

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Affordable Housing is a National Crisis with a Distinct Local Impact

This article explores how place-based funders and new collaboratives are working at the local level to address the widespread issue housing availability and affordability. ...

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Influencer Philanthropy Is On the Rise, but the Platform Matters

In a time of declining donor engagement and donation size, new partnerships and paradigms between social media influencers, nonprofits, and communities may be advantageous for all. ...

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Meet Elizabeth Dale, Ph.D., the New Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy

The Johnson Center is pleased to welcome Elizabeth Dale, Ph.D., as the second holder of the Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy. ...

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The Fiscal Sponsorship Model: A Growing Trend in the Nonprofit Sector

Launching a new nonprofit is complex and challenging work. But fiscal sponsorship is gaining ground as an increasingly popular alternative model — one that can lift a mission’s administrative burdens ...

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Incorporating Art into Youth Philanthropy Programs

Art is an effective way to engage youth and increase their motivation and passion for philanthropy. This post suggests several ways to embed art in youth philanthropy programs to strengthen ...

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Celebrating 15 Years of Knowledge Building for Transformation

This special anniversary issue presents the most-read articles from the journal’s 15-year history, each with author commentary in newly written prologues, as well as a book review and new article ...

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Financial Stress and Philanthropic Influence: The Precarious Promise of Generation Z

As nonprofits and philanthropy consider how to engage Gen Z (those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s) — and what to expect from them, a thorough understanding of their ...

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AAPI Communities are Leading an Upswell in Philanthropy

The Asian American community is coming together to urge funders to support visibility, invest in smaller organizations, and prioritize long-term capacity building for AAPI organizations. ...

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The Artificial Intelligence Revolution Arrives in Philanthropy

With the advent of user-friendly AI interfaces like ChatGPT and Google’s Bard — as well as tools that support grantwriting and fundraising — nonprofits and foundations need to be attentive ...

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OMB Expands Protocols for Federal Collection of Race and Ethnicity Data

The Office of Management and Budget recently updated the way federal race and ethnicity data is collected — a great step forward for visibility of communities nationwide, but prompting significant ...

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Report // In Abundance: An Analysis of the Thriving Landscape of Collective Giving in the U.S.

This report underscores collective giving groups’ role in reshaping philanthropic practices, fostering social connections, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. ...

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Inside The Foundation Review, Volume 15, Issue 4

The articles in this issue of The Foundation Review run the gamut from reports on tightly defined research and evaluation to broad theoretical discussions about the nature of philanthropy and ...

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Webinar // 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2024

A panel of social sector experts shares an engaging conversation around this year’s trends in philanthropy based on the Johnson Center’s 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2024 report. ...

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Donor Anonymity Is Under the Microscope

Many question the influence of anonymous donors on research priorities, policy questions, institutional reputations, and more — and whether stakeholders have the right to know who is behind these resources. ...

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With Crisis Comes Change: Black Women and the Glass Cliff

Research demonstrates how Black women and other leaders of color are grappling with pay inequities, unrealistic expectations from boards and staff, and a generalized lack of support in their positions ...

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Report // 2024 National Study on Donor Advised Funds

The 2024 Nationa Study on Donor Advised Funds represents the most extensive independent study on DAFs to date. ...

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Equitable Evaluation Framework™

For this issue of The Foundation Review, authors were encouraged to explore their personal experiences with using the Equitable Evaluation Framework™. ...

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11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2024

Our 2024 Trends report examines topics including AI the nonprofit workplace, the glass cliff crisis among leaders of color, fiscal sponsorship, AAPI community philanthropy, the rise of influencer philanthropy, and ...

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Report // 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2024

Experts and thought leaders from the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy have examined changes in the field and identified 11 trends in philanthropy that we expect to see impacting ...

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Expected Changes to Federal Race and Ethnicity Standards Present Opportunities — and Caveats

The U.S. Census Bureau has proposed updating and expanding federal protocols for collecting data on race and ethnicity. If adopted, the changes will impact nonprofits, foundations, and more. ...

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The Rise of Collaborative Funding

Recent research illustrates the undeniable rise of funder collaboratives. These new partnerships are a starting point for change — and for moving hundreds of millions of dollars. ...

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Inside The Foundation Review, Vol. 15 Iss. 2

This issue of The Foundation Review highlights examples of systems-change philanthropy, community-building philosophy, the evolution of foundation staff roles, place-based efforts, and more. ...

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The Benefits of Reciprocity

Author Sofia Michelakis argues that wealth should not be defined solely by financial capital, but rather more holistically, incorporating human capital and the value of reciprocity, for the benefit of ...

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Policymakers are Paying Increasing Attention to Moving More Money Faster

The U.S. Congress appears increasingly interested in philanthropy’s spending habits — from donor-advised funds and foundation payout rates to the influence and reach of wealthy individual philanthropists. ...

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The Public is Holding Nonprofits Accountable to Living Their Mission and Values

Methods for holding a nonprofit accountable — for their actions, fiscal choices, community relationships, etc. — have not always been clear, accessible, or publicized. That seems to be changing now. ...

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The Role of Employee Belonging in Organizational Transformation

The article underscores the need for organizational transformation, driven by inclusive cultures and adaptive leadership, to create environments of belonging — where individuals communicate openly, contribute to team success, and ...

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Celebrating 30 Years of the Johnson Center

Our 2022-2023 annual report highlights the Johnson Center’s 30th anniversary, a new executive director, and other key moments from the fiscal year. ...

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Hanh Cao Yu Named Editor-in-Chief of Special Issues for 15th Anniversary of The Foundation Review

Hanh Cao Yu, Ph.D., former chief learning officer at The California Endowment, will serve as editor-in-chief of special issues for The Foundation Review journal of philanthropy in 2023-2024. ...

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For-Profit News Outlets are Exploring Nonprofit Models

As journalism’s traditional business model continues to stumble, many for-profit news outfits — legacy brands and 21st-century digital natives alike — are moving to explore, adapt, and adopt the nonprofit ...

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Webinar // Will There be Nonprofits in 30 Years?

In this recorded webinar, leaders from around the sector joined us for a conversation exploring innovative forms of community engagement and philanthropy that don’t need their own tax status to ...

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Indigenous and Afro-descendent Ancestral Practices and Community Philanthropy in the Americas

Indigenous communities in the Global South have long practiced reciprocal assistance to strengthen mutual trust, pool assets, build capacity, and help community members adapt to changing conditions and opportunities. ...

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Rethinking What Capacity Building Should Be — and Who Should Decide

As more nonprofits and funders look to further their impact and sustainability, power and equity are at the center of a growing movement to reimagine the language and practices of ...

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Webinar // International Perspectives on Trends in Philanthropy

In this webinar, philanthropic leaders and researchers from Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. discuss how nonprofits and foundations in their nations are responding to forces at work in the ...

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Webinar // How Has Philanthropy Changed in 30 Years?

In this webinar, Michael Moody and Jeff Williams discuss what nonprofits and donors can do to prepare for sustaining the important work of philanthropy in a new era of change ...

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Disaster Philanthropy is Transitioning for the Long Haul

As the frequency of natural disasters increases dramatically, philanthropic actors are rethinking how they engage over the long term to support community resilience, ecological health, and a justice-focused response. ...

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Collaboration at the Heart of Community Transformation

Volume 15, Issue 1 of The Foundation Review highlights ways foundations can support collaboration among nonprofits and communities to increase and sustain the impact of programs and initiatives over time. ...

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Report // Nonprofit-Funder Dialogue Series

This report is the result of a three-part Nonprofit-Funder Dialogue Series designed to build trust and challenge traditional roles and power dynamics between funders and regional nonprofit leaders. ...

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New Organizational Structure Models are Toppling the Staff Pyramid

Efforts to alleviate burnout and economic and workplace inequity are leading more nonprofits to look for opportunities to spread the work, responsibility, and credit among more staff — and even ...

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Report // Capacity Building Needs Survey of Nonprofits Led by People of Color in Kent County

This report aims to inform the design and provision of opportunities for capacity builders to meet the identified needs of nonprofit leaders of color and support the success of these ...

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Comunidad y Familia: Trasladar la filantropía más allá de las fronteras

Michael Moody y Michael Layton comparten lo más destacado de su reciente viaje a México como parte de un proyecto colaborativo que explora las intersecciones de la filantropía comunitaria y ...

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Comunidad y Familia: Translating Philanthropy Across Borders

Michael Moody and Michael Layton share highlights from their recent trip to Mexico as part of a collaborative project exploring the intersections of community and family philanthropy in Latin America. ...

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More Nonprofit Employees are Moving to Unionize

After decades of declining enrollment, organized labor is back on workers’ minds — including in the nonprofit sector — as staff see unionization as a pathway to better pay, greater ...

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Podcast // Learning for Good

In this episode of the Learning for Good podcast, Mandy Sharp Eizinger joins host Heather Burright to talk about staff well-being and what nonprofit organizations can do to help prevent ...

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Impact Investing: Lessons Learned from Practitioners and Advocates

Volume 14, Issue 4 of The Foundation Review focuses on impact investing, sharing lessons learned from foundations whose investment portfolio is used to further its charitable mission while still achieving ...

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Video // Activando la filantropía: 7 tendencias para la reflexión y colaboració

El evento tuvo como objetivo promover un espacio de intercambio entre diversos actores relacionados con el ecosistema de la filantropía para analizar de manera crítica soluciones a los desafíos que ...

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Video // Make Your Voice Heard! Early Findings from Ongoing Collective Giving Research

Researchers Michael Layton and Adriana Loson-Ceballos share preliminary findings from the 2023 U.S. Collective Giving Research Initiative at the We Give Summit. ...

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IRS Delays and Other Barriers to Data Mean Real Risks for Nonprofits

Pandemic-driven delays in processing and release, as well as challenges in the data ecosystem itself are putting previous data accessibility gains in jeopardy. ...

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Arab American Giving: Vibrant, Evolving, and Part of a Long History in the U.S.

The Center for Arab American Philanthropy’s Mohamad Jaafar shares a brief history of giving in Arab American communities and highlights the key themes of Arab American philanthropy today. ...

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Make MENA Visible: Changes to Federal Race and Ethnicity Standards Are Needed

Dr. Claudia Youakim calls for updates to our Federal data collection standards to include Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) racial and ethnic identities. ...

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Meet Lesley Slavitt, Eighth Executive Director of the Johnson Center

Get to know Lesley D. Slavitt, Ph.D., the Johnson Center's new executive director, as she shares a bit about herself and her vision for the future of the Johnson Center. ...

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For Good Health: The Power of Belonging in Green Spaces

Chronic disinvestment and a lack of access to public green spaces have led to poorer health outcomes for children and adults in Black and Brown communities. It's time to take ...

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ESG Backlash Will Affect the Future of Philanthropy and Impact Investing

Voices from across sectors are questioning how useful or fair ESG (environmental, social, and governance) standards are. The debate will likely affect the future of philanthropy. ...

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Webinar // How Philanthropy is Evolving: 1992–2022

In this webinar hosted by the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy at Texas A&M University, experts discuss how giving and the broader nonprofit sector has changed over the past 30 ...

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Informe // 7 Tendencias de la Filantropía y de la Sociedad Civil Organizada

Este documento ayuda a identificar y analizar las señales y tendencias actuales que afectan el ecosistema filantrópico. ...

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Will Philanthropy Stay Focused on Racial Equity?

As Teri Behrens explains, it's too early to tell whether philanthropy’s commitments to racial equity and social justice represent a real turning point, or simply a "trend." ...

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Webinar // 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2023

Authors and researchers from the Johnson Center's “11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2023” report discuss this year’s trends and their relevance to the daily work of nonprofits, foundations, donors, advisors, ...

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Fundraisers in Africa Should Look to the “Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid”

As Sarah Archer and Andrew Wigley from the University of Cape Town argue, those “at the bottom of the pyramid” are a major philanthropic force in Africa whose potential should ...

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Podcast // Driven by Cause

In this episode of the Driven by Cause podcast, the hosts interview Michael Moody and Sharna Goldseker, co-authors of the bestseller, “Generation Impact: How Next Gen Donors are Revolutionizing Giving.” ...

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Fresh Takes on Sector Change and Challenges

This issue of The Foundation Review addresses many of the major challenges that persist across the sector, from managing strategic shifts to the use of media to human resources. ...

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Report // 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2023

Experts and thought leaders from the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy have examined changes in the field and identified 11 trends in philanthropy that we expect to see impacting ...

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11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2023

Our 2023 Trends report examines topics including collaborative funding, data accessibility, ESG, unionization, nonprofit new media, mission accountability, and more. ...

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Annual Report 2021–2022

Fiscal year 2022 was a year of transition for the Johnson Center — both forward and up — with a focus on the strategic expansion of our staff, celebrating our ...

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Expanding the Definitions of Philanthropy and Philanthropist

The overlapping challenges of a global pandemic and inchoate racial reckoning have provided an opportunity to redefine our conceptions of philanthropy. ...

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Podcast // Cómo las fundaciones territoriales incorporan los ODS

En este tercer capítulo, conversamos sobre la forma en que las fundaciones comunitarias o territoriales incorporan los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible. ...

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Top 10 Blogs of 2022

This year's list of most-read blog posts reveals a desire across the philanthropic sector to move beyond the pre-pandemic status quo — to find and adopt new ways of growing ...

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Report // Michigan Statewide Nonprofit Leadership Census 2022

The Michigan Statewide Nonprofit Leadership Census identifies the percentage of BIPOC nonprofit leaders across the state to provide a clear understanding of the racial and ethnic composition of staff members ...

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A Comprehensive Field Scan of Youth Philanthropy to Inform its Support and Development

Camille Gerville-Reache shares research that examines how youth engagement improves philanthropy. She highlights the need for greater support and representation of young people in philanthropy. ...

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Increasing Attention to the Decline in Household Giving to Nonprofits

The number of U.S. households giving financially to charity dropped below 50% for the first time in 2018. The decrease has raised alarm bells across the sector and is prompting ...

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Video // Disrupting Data Injustice

Professor Renée Cummings shares a presentation about data, algorithms, artificial intelligence, and justice — including the journey that led her to data ethics and why we need to be better ...

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Supporting Health Equity in Michigan Communities

Groundwork's Melanie Wong shares how her organization is using data from a new Johnson Center report to inform their work toward greater health equity and opportunity in Michigan communities. ...

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Philanthropy’s Role in Transitioning Our Inequitable Economy

Ahead of the 2022 EconCon Presents conference, Research Associate Trish Abalo reflects on her experience attending EconCon 2021, a conference focused on building an economy that works for everyone. ...