I am writing this entry from Giving Institute’s annual Summer Symposium in sunny Puerto Rico where the ocean waters and breezes are warm, and I tried my first ever green banana, garlic, and onion salad!

The firms represented at the Symposium are collectively working with over 10,000 nonprofits across the US this year. We are examining impacts on philanthropy based upon changing demographics and our location is particularly appropriate. We have heard from several philanthropic leaders with roots here.

What I am hearing from my colleagues – and this is echoed by our nonprofit clients in the Northwest – is that donors are continuing to give in 2009 if they are asked. Donors are continuing to accept meetings, but institutions that have quit asking are not receiving gifts, and those that have continued to let the donor make the choice (give now or later) are doing better. The number and size of mega-million dollar gifts is off, as we all expect, but they are out there.

Research breaks through myths many fundraisers have held regarding gender, race, age, and giving. When data is controlled for various factors, it’s clear that income is the single most significant factor that influences the amount that Americans give. Women tend to give a bit more than men, younger adults (Gen X and Gen Y) give at similar rates to Boomers, and race/ethnicity is really not a factor in whether an individual gives or how much. The good news is that the majority of households give and that total giving goes up with increased income/wealth.

If you are interested in further delving into giving by high net worth individuals, you may want to review the Bank of America 2008 study posted on the Center on Philanthropy’s website at http://www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/Research/docs/2008BAC_HighNetWorthPhilanthropy.pdf

“Working Across Generations” by Sanjeev Khagram is a resource recommended by Taij Kumarie Moteelall, Philanthropic Adviser, and Trista Harris, ED of the Headwaters Foundation for Justice and Blogger, New Voices in Philanthropy/Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. More info is posted at http://workingacrossgenerations.org/.

What are you experiencing this year?

Filed under: Events, Trends by Aggie Sweeney on July 20, 2009