Philanthropy will never be the same after 2020; I argue it is changing for the better

Posted on September 9, 2020 by Andy Ware

By Kaky Grant

COVID-19 and our country’s renewed focus on racial inequities have upended our conventional ways of living and ways in which we care for and interact with our communities.

I am hearing inspiring stories of how families, friends, and colleagues are engaging in compelling conversations centered on what our world should and could look like beyond 2020. It is no coincidence that the nonprofit community is at the center of many of these conversations. I believe that philanthropy is a critical building block in our figurative and literal healing.

Innovation, adaptability, and resilience best describe the trends I see in philanthropy in this moment. I have the privilege of working with philanthropists as they consider and evaluate their values and how they translate into their giving priorities. My work connects me with philanthropists, nonprofit leaders, civic leaders, social impact investors, financial planners, and academics in the field.

Over the last six months, I have observed the following shifts in approaches to giving:

Philanthropists are creatively adapting their ways of giving to help their communities. I continue to hear from major donors that they plan to give more this year motivated by the unprecedented need and partly fueled by the rebound of the S&P 500 to near record highs. They’re finding ways to make a bigger impact by leveraging assets, making their giving more public, and offering community challenges.

Specifically, foundations are finding ways to make an outsized impact in a time of great need. They’re surveying their grant partners to understand their greatest needs, determine how CARES dollars are flowing to their communities, and ascertain how the foundation’s resources can have the greatest impact

Foundations have banded together to lift funding restrictions and reporting requirements. The notion of trust-based philanthropy is truly taking root in 2020. There is also a movement for foundations to go beyond the required 5 percent distribution and give more from their corpus.

Many foundations like Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation and the Libra Foundation have committed to giving more than the minimum distribution of 5 percent this year. The Ford Foundation is leading the way nationally by taking on debt to give more in this moment and spark more philanthropy from peers.

Philanthropists have never been more committed to helping those most in need now. They describe wanting to help vulnerable populations with emergent needs. Donors also describe wanting to help nonprofits survive the pandemic. In many cases, their organizational revenue has decreased, their programs cannot be fully realized now, and some must remain closed until the pandemic ends.

I have heard many philanthropists express concern about supporting our arts and cultural institutions now. Many have turned to the arts to help process these tumultuous times, relieve stress, and find connection in a socially distanced way. These organizations often serve as the institutional memories of our respective communities; 2020 is a year to be memorialized for future generations. Donors are committed to helping these institutions make it to the other side of the pandemic.

Events of 2020 are compelling philanthropists and their families to reexamine their philanthropic values. While some values remain constant, other values take a higher priority to drive their giving now. Donors are seeking out new partners and building relationships based on this reprioritization.

For altruistic individuals that have not done the work in identifying their top philanthropic values, making meaningful gifts in this moment can be especially trying. There are lots of organizations trying to solve pressing problems related to COVID-19 and racial inequities. It can be overwhelming to sift through the opportunities. Having clearly defined values can bring clarity in making meaningful choices.

Specifically, I am seeing philanthropists focus more of their giving using an equity lens. On a national scale, we saw MacKenzie Scott drive much of her recent giving with this in mind. She is leading the way by investing in the lived experiences of nonprofit leaders.

Many donor families are slowing down, spending more time together, and multiple generations are living under one roof for the first time in decades. This spontaneous togetherness is sparking conversations around shared values, family histories, and family legacy. They’re considering questions like: What is the lasting legacy we hope to imprint on the world? How do we as grandparents want to be remembered by our grandchildren? How will my community remember the impact of our family’s generosity? These conversations are bearing fruit and are being realized in new philanthropic adventures.

As we look to the rest of the year, the impacts of the pandemic will continue to ripple and many more will be in need. I take heart in the thoughtfulness, ingenuity, and generosity I see in our philanthropic ecosystem.

Kaky Grant is a master’s student at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. She serves as the principal of Grant Philanthropic Advisors based in Charleston, SC. When not studying or working with donors, she enjoys being with her family, playing outside, and connecting with her nonprofit community.

New research shows U.S. households embraced expansive forms of philanthropy during the early months of COVID-19

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Tessa Skidmore

This week, the Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) released COVID-19, Generosity, and Gender: How Giving Changed During the Early Months of a Global Pandemic, which explores how men and women gave in response to the pandemic and how their overall giving changed in spring 2020.

The study uses data from a WPI survey on U.S. households’ charitable responses to the crisis. The survey was conducted online among a sample of 3,405 respondents from the general population in mid-May 2020. The following Q&A provides a brief overview of the motivations for the research, what the study found, and what the results mean for nonprofit and fundraising professionals and donors.

Why did WPI conduct this study?

Tessa Skidmore explains WPI’s newest report

The spring of 2020 was marked by disruptions to society on a level many Americans had never experienced. The public health crisis brought about by COVID-19 required widespread community shutdowns and social distancing, upending virtually all aspects of American life. Record-high unemployment rates, coupled with the fall of financial markets, caused a sudden, severe economic downturn in the U.S. and across the globe.

As a result, scores of Americans struggled to make ends meet. Nonprofits providing food and other basic needs experienced a dramatic influx of households seeking assistance, many of whom had never previously required their services.

These circumstances created an unprecedented environment for charitable giving during the initial months of the pandemic. While many of these conditions are still present due to the ongoing nature of the public health crisis and associated economic downturn, the study offers an early snapshot of how U.S. households responded to COVID-19 through philanthropy.

COVID-19, Generosity, and Gender: How Giving Changed During the Early Months of a Global Pandemic examines whether and how much households contributed, the types of philanthropy in which they participated, and how their charitable giving changed. The study also looks at the effect of specific elements of the crisis on individual giving and highlights differences across household types, with a particular focus on gender and marital status.

What did the study find?

In response to public health concerns and the economic downturn brought about by the pandemic, a majority of U.S. households (56.1 percent) engaged in some kind of charitable activity during the spring of 2020. Other key findings include:

Around one-third of U.S. households (32.0 percent) gave directly to charitable organizations, individuals, or businesses in response to COVID-19 during the initial months of the crisis.
Nearly half of households (48.3 percent)—particularly those from younger generations—gave indirectly in response to the pandemic during the early months of the crisis (for example, by ordering takeout to support restaurants and their employees, or continuing to pay individuals and businesses for services they could not render).
The majority of U.S. households’ overall giving stayed the same during the initial months of the pandemic; however, those who reported changes were more likely to say their giving decreased rather than increased as a result of COVID-19.
Households were more likely to decrease than increase their overall giving as a result of conditions present during the early months of COVID-19 in the U.S. (such as uncertainty about the spread of the virus and further economic impacts).
Single women were more likely than single men and married/partnered couples to decrease their giving as a result of specific elements of the pandemic during the initial months of the crisis.

What are the implications of the findings?

The “dual crises” of a global pandemic and accompanying economic downturn defy comparison with previous events. COVID-19, Generosity, and Gender: How Giving Changed During the Early Months of a Global Pandemic provides new insight on how U.S. households responded philanthropically in this unique environment.

The study’s findings serve as a starting point for understanding changes in household giving in response to the pandemic as it continues to unfold. The findings can help nonprofit and development practitioners and donors adjust their individual fundraising and giving strategies as the current crisis continues, as well as inform their approach to future crises.

Although the study emphasizes changes in households’ charitable giving during the initial months of COVID-19 in the U.S., the fact that the majority of households did not adjust their giving during this time can be viewed as a positive sign for philanthropy. This suggests that charitable giving is an ingrained habit for many households that will endure regardless of their personal situation and that the fundamental principles of fundraising still apply.

To encourage continued giving, nonprofits and fundraisers should keep in mind the importance of explicitly communicating the actions they are taking in response to the crisis and why their cause still requires support.

Connecting with donors virtually is also important during the pandemic and beyond. Research shows that creating a sense of community, whether in person or online, is especially critical for those seeking to attract women donors. Even when the economy is healthy, studies show that methods of giving beyond financial contributions also appeal to women donors.

Finally, nonprofits and donors alike should keep in mind that the situation will eventually improve. Even when donors need to pause their contributions, they should remain part of the giving community, receiving communications and updates from the organizations they typically support.

Tessa Skidmore is a visiting research associate for the Women’s Philanthropy Institute.

Launch of new journal: the International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment

Posted on September 2, 2020 by Andy Ware

International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment journal cover

By Pamala Wiepking

Social entrepreneur and philanthropist Tsitsi Masiyiwa could not have started the seminar in honor of the launch of the International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment in a better way.

She started by stating that in the midst of a global pandemic, there is not much to celebrate, but that the launch of this new journal on philanthropy and social investments is a cause for immense celebration.

She continued: “On the African continent for too long we tried to copy a model that is based on Western ideas. On laws, incentives and regulations that award people for giving. In our continent giving is driven by the way in which we are connected to the communities we serve. The journal gives the platform to define philanthropy, and when it can be considered a success by our own metrics and standards, fitting for the way our communities are structured.”

Bhekinkosi Moyo, one of the new journal’s editors and director of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment, Wits Business School University of Witwatersrand, took the word next, and explained that the need for an African journal has been clear for a long time. There is a strong need for published research on African practices and African philanthropy. Academic credibility is important, and therefore the work published in the International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment is peer reviewed.

In November 2019, during the ARNOVA Conference in San Diego, I had the pleasure of being part of a colloquium discussing how we could increase the global representation of philanthropy research. Participants included the editors of Voluntas, NVSQ, Journal on Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society, and the African Center for Philanthropy and Social Investment, represented by Bhekinkosi Moyo himself.

In three groups of about 10 people, the audience and the panelists discussed the barriers to academic publishing for work originating outside North America and Western Europe and brainstormed solutions to overcome these barriers, preferably actionable goals.

The colloquium led to a very insightful overview of barriers and potential solutions, from a range of different cultural and disciplinary perspectives. We ended with the goal to come to an equal representation of scholarship from all over the world.

With this new journal, Moyo and his collaborators made a strong contribution to solving the issues identified in this colloquium to increase the global representation of scholars in philanthropy research.

One of the issues African researchers experienced until now was that it is very hard to publish in the global North-based journals, due to many reasons. This journal will provide these researchers the opportunity to publish their work about their own local context.

The journal will also serve to disseminate the work of African research centers, including the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment at the Wits Business School in Johannesburg.

I think the fact that International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment is open access is a brilliant strategy. It eliminates the issue that many researchers outside of wealthy U.S. and European institutions experience, that work they want to access is behind paywalls. It ensures that everyone interested can access and read the work published, and knowledge can build on what has already published.

I want to conclude by joining Masiyiwa in the celebration of this amazing achievement. This new journal has been long overdue, and I congratulate the editors and contributors for making this a reality. It will provide philanthropy scholars, students and practitioners with much needed different global perspectives, and hopefully through this lead to a more inclusive notion of philanthropy and philanthropy research.

Pamala Wiepking is the Visiting Stead Family Chair in International Philanthropy and visiting associate professor in philanthropic studies at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

How online learning can help prepare students for a stronger professional future

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Andy Ware

By Kelly R. Young

It’s no secret that COVID-19 has disrupted our lives and changed the way we work, learn, live, and play.

Prevalent in education is the significant shift to online learning. Although this shift has been a growing trend for years (we have been teaching online courses for nearly a decade at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy), we have certainly seen a significant increase in online learning during the pandemic.

While there are downsides, there are also many doors being opened and experiences gained by students who are embracing online learning; opportunities and benefits other students may not gain in the traditional classroom setting.

Let’s look at the area of getting ready for the workplace. Online learning can provide students with valuable skills that will help prepare them for a competitive workplace. Today’s employers look for individuals who demonstrate these skills and attributes: 1) self-motivation, 2) time management, 3) adaptability, and 4) clear communication. These traits–and more–can be gained through online learning.

Self-motivation
For the most part, online students are learning on their own. There’s no pressure to actually show up to a physical classroom or even see the instructor in person. This requires the student to stay motivated and practice self-discipline to be successful.

These qualities are attractive and valuable to an employer who often wants a self-motivated employee who doesn’t require constant handholding or reminders about tasks that need to be completed. Self-motivation and accountability, once conquered, are remarkable skills to possess in the workforce. And life.

Time management
Time is one of those things we just can’t get enough of. It is possible to manage time; it just means working more efficiently. By being in control of their own learning and pace, online students are figuring out how to effectively manage their time.

Employers in every industry are looking for employees who can make optimal use of the time available to them on the job. How often have we heard the phrase “time is money?” Saving time means saving an organization money, resulting in increased revenue; something all businesses want to achieve.

Adaptability
In a traditional academic environment, schedules and assignments are coordinated, structured, and predictable. Online learning provides more flexibility, but that flexibility may be marred by chaos. Unreliable internet connections, unplanned interruptions, and unforeseen changes in work and home-life schedules are just a few challenges that an online learner must quickly pivot and adjust to.

Being adaptable demonstrates the ability to manage change, be resourceful, shows analytical skills, and emphasizes leadership capabilities. These are all valuable qualities in an employee.

Communication skills
Through online learning, students develop a wider set of communication skills that are transferable to the workplace. Without in-person interaction, online students are learning to communicate more clearly–and with purpose–using emails, video and web conferencing, and online chat services. A strong array of communication skills is critical when delivering information quickly, accurately, and professionally.

These are only a few ways in which students can see long-term benefits from an extended online educational experience. There are myriad other benefits, including becoming comfortable utilizing new technologies, viewing the world as a more limitless access space to connecting with people, and mastering new, invaluable personal and professional skills.

While we all look forward to the time when we can collaborate and learn in person, there are silver linings to be found in difficult times that will better prepare students for their bright future.

Kelly Young, president of Baise Communications, is an award-winning public relations counselor with 25+ years of experience in working with nonprofit and small businesses. She has worked in nearly every capacity of public relations throughout her career and has a proven track record of success in media relations, social media, brand management, communications planning, and community relations. She has built a strong reputation within the community and is sought after for her industry expertise and thought leadership. Kelly is a natural storyteller and an enthusiastic advocate for causes.

Catching up with the dean

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Abby Rolland

It’s the first day of the semester for students at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. We thought we’d introduce them and you to the dean of the school, Amir Pasic, Ph.D.

Pasic spoke with us to discuss his background, what brought him to philanthropy, and what he most enjoys about working at the school.

Education: B.A. Economics and Political Science, Yale University; M.A. International Relations, Johns Hopkins University; Ph.D. Political Science, University of Pennsylvania

What is your background, and how did you discover philanthropy?

Amir Pasic (AP): I trained as a scholar in international relations and political science. I had some interaction with philanthropy when I organized a conference on ethics and international relations, which was supported by a family from Rhode Island. I also benefited from philanthropy throughout my education through fellowships and the support that enabled the institutions I attended to become what they are.

I joined the Rockefeller Brothers Fund after the Cold War concluded, which is when I began seeing philanthropy differently and understanding it more deeply.

After the conclusion of my time at the Fund, I had the opportunity to serve as a fundraiser for the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. I conducted prospect research and supported fundraising for the library. While the U.S. government pays for the all of the material within the library, independent, private donations support programs, conferences, exhibits, and the then-digitization of material in the library and the creation of its first website.

I also assisted with the Madison Council, a group of wealthy philanthropists from around the country who advised the librarian and supported the special programs that the library presented.

How did you enter into higher education?

Dean Amir Pasic

AP: After my time at the library, I returned to Johns Hopkins University, which is where I received my master’s degree. I worked there as a director of development, focusing mostly on corporations and foundations but also developing special strategic projects.

Johns Hopkins sees its development operation as the difference maker for the university, and leaders take talent development within the individual schools quite seriously. Based on my experience there, I realized how important development was for making universities run and helping connect scholars and students to life-changing opportunities.

After a brief amount of time in the central development operation at George Washington University, I returned to Johns Hopkins to be the associate dean for development and strategic planning, running a small think tank at the time as well.

After that, I was recruited by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the second largest educational association after The College Board, to serve as a vice president for international operations. My responsibilities included serving members around the world, helping work on different aspects of CASE programs that were in different stages of evolution, and assisting North American-based universities with their international outreach programs as well.

It was during this position that I met (Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Founding Dean Emeritus) Gene Tempel in Singapore, when he was giving a presentation to the National University of Singapore.

What drew you to the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy?

AP: At CASE, I was trying to establish more and better connections between research and practice, given my background in the scholarly world and my more practitioner-based work experience.

I thought it was an interesting idea that the center had become a school and was devoted to improving and disseminating knowledge about nonprofits and philanthropy.

During the interview process, I was very impressed by the new, young faculty who chose this school because of its interdisciplinary nature and the fact that it is deeply connected to practitioners. Faculty members were so excited to build this new field and connect their careers to this experiment.

That led me to the conclusion that if the school thought that I could make a contribution, I would be fortunate to have this opportunity.

Do you have a favorite part of your job?

AP: Interacting with students is always a great deal of fun, and reminds me why I’m here.

What are the school’s strengths, and how do you hope to build on them?

AP: We have extremely innovative and adventurous students and faculty. I’d like to continue to build on that innovative spirit and continue to openly build the field moving forward.

I do believe that we increasingly have to meet students where they are. We can’t simply assume that you offer a class in a classroom, and that’s the end of the story. I think we’re going to have to figure out ways online and through inventive advising to be alongside students as they continue to work and take care of their families.

Why does philanthropic research matter?

AP: What strikes me the most is understanding the context of giving and volunteering more deeply and asking the why questions. Why do people give? Does measuring giving matter? How does giving connect to the human condition more broadly, and how does it connect to broader social trends and social understandings?

Providing students with that broad context helps them become more effective in what they do. By recognizing the meaning of philanthropy in society, you’re able to help others and educate yourself on how to understand your own generosity. It is such a powerful force, one that we often overlook to our own detriment.

What is the future of the study of philanthropy?

AP: I think there’s an increasing understanding that philanthropy is important, but we’re struggling to understand what that means and how it relates to wealth and inequality.

At the same time, we realize that philanthropy is not only about wealth, but that it’s about the kind of generosity and creative potential that everybody has.

We want to participate in these discussions in the way that a higher education institution should, by providing knowledge and helping train students to be prepared for these conversations, which have the power to move the world.

What are your goals for the school in the next 5-10 years?

AP: I hope that we can engage more people in the field more broadly to understand that we serve as a resource for them. We are also an important part of a network of academic talent that wants to deepen people’s understanding of the philanthropic world. So, I hope we continue to find ways of doing that, whether it’s through conferences and convenings, or through new ways of disseminating research and translating it to make research and scholarship more accessible and involved in the world.

We also want to engage our policymakers in government and all the philanthropists among us to see that there’s a broader reservoir of knowledge that they can tap into.

On a lighter note, what do you like to do outside of work?

AP: I enjoy being with my family and reading. We like watching good movies together, too.