Cover Story
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Giving
What Drives Direct Giving and Why It Matters to Nonprofits
Whether the popularity of direct giving is a sign that nonprofits aren’t winning the trust or hearts of some portion of the giving public remains an open question. But it’s critical that nonprofits pay attention and take all kinds of giving seriously — including that which doesn’t pass through formal charitable structures.
Highlights
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Direct Giving
Mutual-Aid Groups Ponder What’s Next
Neighbors came together to help one another with food and other basic needs during the pandemic. Some of the volunteer-led efforts are now seeking nonprofit status. -
Individual Giving
A Big Example of Direct Giving
A Minneapolis couple try to give away all of their considerable income each year. Most contributions go to nonprofits, but for the past decade, they’ve increased their giving to individuals. Here’s why. -
Individual Giving
Many Attractive Elements of Direct Giving Also Have Downsides
The potential for scams, the challenges to scale effectively, and the potential to amplify existing inequities are just a few of the drawbacks of direct giving through crowdfunding campaigns, payment apps, and other technologies.
Features
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Executive Leadership
The Philanthropy Roundtable’s CEO Opposes ‘Woke Philanthropy,’ Prompting Some Grant Makers to Flee and Others to Give More
Elise Westhoff has been on a media blitz in recent months, spreading the gospel of conservative philanthropy and attacking what she says is a wrongheaded rush to fund racial-justice efforts. -
Good Listening
Fundraising Podcasts Worth Your Time: Leaders and Donors on What Motivates Them
As the fourth season of her podcast is released, Kathryn Van Sickle talks about the challenges and inspiration she gets from interviewing fundraisers, donors, and leaders in philanthropy.
Departments
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The Face of Philanthropy
Group’s Alumnae Boost Education for Today’s Girls
A network of 178,000 women in sub-Saharan Africa who were educated with help from the Campaign for Female Education now support the organization financially, mentor today’s students, and act as role models. -
Big Gifts
On a Philanthropy Streak, Clara Wu Tsai Looks to Flip the Traditional Health-Research Script
The business executive is backing research to reverse-engineer health advances by studying humans at their physical peak — especially elite athletes. -
Nonprofit Management
How to Ease Tension Between Communications and Development Departments
Three reasons friction occurs between fundraisers and communicators — and five ways to prevent it.
Opinion
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Opinion
Most Nonprofits Are Highly Effective. Check the Data.
Over the past six years, ImpactMatters and then Charity Navigator analyzed data on both the cost effectiveness and overall success of nonprofits. They came to a clear conclusion: The myth of nonprofit ineffectiveness is just that — a myth. -
Opinion
Philanthropy Must Confront This Era of Catastrophe With a Moonshot Response
If grant makers don’t act quickly and boldly to address the twin crises of climate change and threats to democracy, the future costs may be insurmountable. The philanthropic world needs to come together in a massive and coordinated effort to confront these existential threats.