Explore the Latest Research from the Johnson Center

Johnson Center experts engage in both client- and grant-funded research and evaluation projects intended to help practitioners around the world use data and knowledge to strengthen their efforts and impact. We work with a variety of research partners and collaboratives to undertake these projects and initiatives. We are grateful to our partners, study participants, communities, and clients and funders for making this work possible and ensuring its broad reach and usefulness.

Helping You Anticipate and Embrace What's Next

The ninth edition of our annual "11 Trends in Philanthropy" report shares a familiar wealth of examples, data, quotes, and research publications that can help us all anticipate the vectors of change. This year’s report explores many of these issues and others — attempting to look beyond the pendulum swing and into a future where innovations in philanthropy and community-building may yet achieve the transformations we all hope to see. This work was supported by the generous donors of the Lubbers Philanthropy Innovation Fund at the Johnson Center.

Seven Popular Forms Dominate the Landscape of Collective Giving Groups

Drawing on research covered in "In Abundance: An Analysis of the Thriving Landscape of Collective Giving in the U.S.," this report delves deeper into the various types of collective giving groups, identifying seven group archetypes based on three core dimensions: membership characteristics, giving focus, and organizational processes. This research, produced by Isis Krause of Philanthropy Together and W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy Chair Dr. Michael Layton, was generously supported by Fidelity Charitable.

Research to Support a New Era of Philanthropic Engagement in Mexico

Latin America has seen important progress in developing philanthropic infrastructure over the past 20 years — community foundations, especially, are channeling and growing local engagement. However, research to understand and strengthen the bonds among philanthropic actors has remained sparse. New research from W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy Chair Dr. Michael Layton and Founding Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy Dr. Michael Moody was supported by the C.S. Mott Foundation.

En Español: 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. Basado en más de 50 entrevistas con filántropos, líderes del sector y expertos, el informe proporciona nuevas perspectivas sobre la práctica de la filantropía en México, ofrece cinco estudios de caso — incluyendo cuatro fundaciones comunitarias y una red emergente de donantes — e identifica cinco oportunidades para fortalecer la conexión entre las fundaciones comunitarias de México y sus familias generosas.

The Collective Giving Movement is Poised to Double in the Next Five Years

Between 2017 and 2023, nearly 4,000 collective giving groups mobilized approximately 370,000 philanthropists to donate more than $3.1 billion - representing over 140% growth in five years. This research was conducted by W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy Chair Dr. Michael Layton and research partner Dr. Adriana Loson-Ceballos of Colmena Consulting, in partnership with Philanthropy Together. The research was generously supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Lodestar Foundation, and the Gates Foundation.

New Research Answers Entrenched Questions on DAF Payouts, Assets, and More

For this study, the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC) — co-led by the Johnson Center — collected a dataset representing 111 DAF programs, covering nine years of activity from more than 50,000 DAF accounts, with over 600,000 inbound contributions and more than 2.25 million outbound grants. The research shared here provided groundbreaking information for organizations and policymakers at a scale and depth never previously available. This research was generously supported by the Gates Foundation.

Inquire About a Project

The Johnson Center is home to a team of experts in nonprofits and philanthropy; data collection, analysis, and meaning-making; visualization and web technology; adult learning; and more. We’re eager to help you define and answer big questions and design strategies for informing and shifting the field based on research findings.

Contact Us

Support Our Research

The Johnson Center relies on the support of philanthropists like you to power research and inquiry in philanthropy. We are grateful to the many individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors who make our work possible. Become a part of our mission and make your donation today.

Donate