"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

--Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Colleagues,

As we move through 2025, we find ourselves in a time that, as Dickens observed, presents both significant challenges and remarkable opportunities. Our clients and the sector rely on our leadership and support more than ever as they navigate these turbulent times.

My personal touchstone for this year is "Unstoppable." Despite the uncertainties, this word fuels my energy. I believe the only way forward is through, by finding opportunity within adversity. I encourage each of you to choose a guiding word or intention as we collectively advance the Giving Institute's mission and support our clients, who depend on us as trusted partners during this period of change.

I'm deeply grateful for the "unstoppable" spirit of our Giving Institute members and their continued progress on key initiatives. I'm particularly proud of the DEAI Committee's work, in partnership with Dr. Chance, Deb Taft, and Poonam Prasad, and our changemakers in activating our plan, grounded in inclusive practices, continuous learning, and improvement. This has cultivated a culture of inclusion where members and guests feel engaged, psychologically safe, connected, and passionate about our shared work. We are, and always have been, changemakers – intentionally taking creative action to solve social problems. The Giving Institute remains strong and steadfast in its commitment to supporting the organizations we serve and bettering the world.

Under Chad Paris' leadership, the National Conversation Taskforce will convene to develop an integrated marketing plan for National Conversation 2.0. A special thank you to Rick Dunham's firm for their research validating a key recommendation from the Generosity Commission's report. The study reveals strong bipartisan public support for the charitable tax deduction, with 78% of current donors and 59% of non-donors supporting it. This reinforces the urgent need for Congress to pass the Charitable Act. We shared the press release with members this week, encouraging you to share the report on social media and tag Giving USA.

Planning for the 2025 Summer Symposium is well underway, led by Richard Tollefson, Kate Hughes, and Tim Sarrantonio. The theme and further details will be announced soon. As you start thinking about the Summer Symposium, please consider individuals from consultancies or firms to whom you might extend a Golden Ticket invitation. The Summer Symposium is our number one lead generation and membership development opportunity. If you have questions about Golden Tickets, please contact Erin Berggren or Kate Roosevelt.

We are delighted to welcome new member firms to the Giving Institute: Health Giving, TIAA Kaspick, Russell Philanthropies. Please join me in extending a warm welcome and expressing your enthusiasm about their participation in our organization. Thank you to Kate Roosevelt, Chad Paris, and the Membership Committee for their seamless work in reviewing, approving, and onboarding new members.

Austin, TX, the Live Music Capital of the World and a hub of innovation, will host our gathering from March 26-28, 2025. Thank you, Missy Gale and Leya Simmons for your leadership. Their committee is developing an enriching educational and member experience. Look for registration materials soon.

Despite the challenges and uncertainties ahead, I'm grateful to be surrounded by changemakers like you. Your dedication inspires me and makes a profound difference for so many. Together, we create pathways to success and persevere, knowing that this period too shall pass, and the future will be what we make it.

Keep going!
Brenda

For Immediate Release

February 4, 2025

Giving Institute Study: Majority of Americans Strongly Support Charitable Tax Deduction, Strengthening Case for Bipartisan Legislation

The Giving Institute urges Congress to pass the Charitable Act and to expand tax incentives for everyday donors.

McLean, Va. (February 4, 2025) — New research from The Giving Institute highlights strong bipartisan public support for a charitable tax deduction, adding to the urgency for Congress to pass the Charitable Act. The organization’s study found that 78% of current donors and 59% of non-donors say they support making charitable contributions tax-deductible for all taxpayers.

This research, commissioned by Dunham+Company for The Giving Institute and conducted by Campbell Rinker, shows overwhelming cross-party support, with 80% of self-identified Republicans and Democrats and 77% of Independent donors favoring a universal charitable deduction.

“These findings validate the need for legislative action,” said Brenda Asare, chair of The Giving Institute. “Expanding the charitable tax deduction would foster a stronger culture of generosity, facilitate greater participation and ensure that nonprofits have the resources they need to survive and serve their communities.”

The Giving Institute calls on policymakers to pass the Charitable Act to boost charitable giving, strengthen the nonprofit sector and ensure community organizations can continue serving those in need.

ABOUT THE CHARITABLE ACT

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), joined by 11 co-sponsors, introduced the Charitable Act to address challenges with nonprofit funding and volunteering by allowing all taxpayers – not just those who itemize – to deduct donations at a higher level. Representatives Blake D. Moore (R-UT), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Carol D. Miller (R-WV) and Danny K. Davis (D-IL) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.

The legislation would encourage more taxpayers to give to nonprofits, charities and religious groups, helping them provide essential services.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The Generosity Commission’s findings in its report, Everyday Actions, Extraordinary Potential: The Power of Giving and Volunteering, reveal a concerning trend: fewer Americans are giving to charity, threatening the future of vital social services.

• Between 2010 and 2016, 20 million American households stopped giving to charitable causes.
• Year-over-year declines in individual giving continue despite increases in total donation amounts.
• Fewer people are giving, making it increasingly difficult for smaller nonprofits that rely heavily on grassroots donations to sustain vital services.

  As noted in the most recent study, Donor Sentiment Related to the Charitable Tax Deduction, enacting a universal charitable tax deduction could reverse this trend. Of note:

• 55% of donors don’t itemize their charitable gifts, and more than half of them would give more if they could deduct the donations.
  • Nearly half would give up to 50% more.
  • One-third would increase their giving by 50% to over 100%.
  • 57% would give up to $500
  • 16% would donate $500-$1,000
  • 7% would give more than $1,000 annually
• 70% of Gen Z and 57% of Millennials said they would donate more if they could deduct their contributions.

  “The generosity of everyday donors fuels smaller nonprofits,” said Rick Dunham, board member of The Giving Institute and founder and chairman of Dunham+Company. “These community-based organizations provide some of the most essential and relied-upon services—yet they lack the financial cushion of larger institutions. Without more donors, many organizations may be forced to cut services or shut down, leaving critical gaps in support for those who need it most. Congress must act now to pass the Charitable Act.”

HOW THE CHARITABLE ACT HELPS

The Charitable Act will:

• Encourage millions more taxpayers to give, pushing much-needed funding to smaller and local nonprofits.

• Incentivize more charitable giving from everyday taxpayers by allowing non-itemizing taxpayers to deduct up to a third of the standard deduction for charitable contributions in taxable years 2023 and 2024.
• Address disparities in how the current standard deduction benefits taxpayers at different income levels.

HOW THE PUBLIC CAN HELP

Individuals can contact their senators and representatives and urge them to vote yes on the Charitable Act.

THE GIVING INSTITUTE VISION FOR PHILANTHROPY

The Giving Institute’s vision is to develop extraordinary leaders in the world of philanthropy by elevating fundraising, consulting and nonprofit services and enhancing the philanthropic sector. For decades, the Giving Institute has promoted charitable giving, strengthened nonprofit organizations and championed policies that expand opportunities for generosity.

About The Giving Institute

The Giving Institute consists of member organizations that have embraced and embodied the core values of ethics, excellence, and leadership in advancing philanthropy. Serving clients of every size and purpose, from local institutions to international organizations, The Giving Institute member organizations embrace the highest ethical standards and maintain a strict code of fair practices. The Giving Institute is also the parent organization of the Giving USA Foundation, which endeavors to advance philanthropy through research and education and produces the annual report on charitable giving in the United States, Giving USA: The Annual Report on Philanthropy.

It was truly wonderful to gather in Chicago last month to celebrate our mentees, exchange ideas, honor the legacy of the Giving Institute’s generosity movement, and strengthen our connections with shared purpose and vision. Also, it was gratifying to see so many new members present for the Mentor Series and spending time with founding members. I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new members betterunite, Giving Docs, Classy, and Cooper Coleman. We look forward to learning more about them and building deeper connections in the months ahead.

As we embrace the spirit of gratitude this season, I’m filled with appreciation for the leadership role we are collectively playing in advancing the conversation around generosity and volunteerism in our nation. I am immensely proud of the work that the Giving Institute, Giving USA Foundation, and the Generosity Commission have done together to launch our inaugural national conversation on generosity. With nearly 900 registrants, we were joined by our sector’s foremost leaders—Alice Ayers (AHP), Sue Cunningham (CASE), Mike Geiger (AFP), and Wendy McGrady (Giving USA Foundation)—who led a dynamic and thought-provoking discussion on activating a broader culture of generosity. Wendy's call for a national generosity movement was met with great enthusiasm, and it was a powerful reminder of the collective impact we can have.

This conversation wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of many individuals. A heartfelt thank you to Kelli Gabbert, Wendy McGrady, Kurt Worrell, Jennifer White, Rick Dunham, Deb Taft, and Madison Williams for their hard work and collaboration in ensuring the webinar’s success. I also want to express my gratitude to all of you for promoting the event to your clients and partners—it truly took a village.

As we look ahead to 2025 and the next chapter of the National Conversation, I’m thrilled to announce that Chad Paris, Founder and Principal of ParisLeaf, has agreed to chair the National Conversation Taskforce. Chad will lead the effort to develop an integrated strategy for advancing the conversation on generosity and will be working alongside Giving Institute leadership to recruit task force members. Thank you, Chad, for your vision and willingness to take on this important role.

Additionally, I’d like to draw your attention to a recent communication from Sally Ehrenfried, Chair of the Giving Institute’s Public Policy Committee, regarding H.R. 9495. You can find the details here.  I encourage you to review it and take appropriate action.

Looking ahead, we are excited for our March meeting in Austin, TX (March 27-28, 2025), and the Summer Symposium in San Diego (July 8-10, 2025). Our committees are hard at work, and I am deeply grateful for their leadership and dedication. We value your continued engagement, and we are always looking for more hands to join us. Please encourage your team members to visit our website or click here to sign up for a committee.

Your ongoing support is the foundation of The Giving Institute, and we are thankful for all the ways you contribute. We look forward to another year of taking it to the next level in 2025.

On behalf of the Giving Institute Executive Leadership, wishing you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Brenda

Happy Fall! Where did our summer go?? As we approach this time of the year the word that comes to mind for me is renewal. There’s a feeling of bouncing back, embracing change, and reimagining the future. With everything going on around us, how we respond to this moment defines who we are. Our clients increasingly look to us for guidance as they navigate change and strive for resilience and impact. Like all organizations, the Giving Institute is committed to evolving and enhancing our support for our members and the sector as a whole.

In recent months, we've been busy on multiple fronts. We proudly celebrated the long-awaited release of the Generosity Commission Report, Everyday Actions, Extraordinary Potential: The Power of Giving and Volunteering. On September 17th, Ted Grossnickle, Rick Dunham, Wendy McGrady, and Josh Birkholz attended the report launch in Washington, D.C. It was truly inspiring to join so many leaders from the Generosity Commission and the sector, all dedicated to fostering ongoing conversations within their networks.

We’re excited to announce our upcoming Generosity Commission Report Members Briefing on the October 30th from 12:00 to 1:30 PM CT, exclusively for member firms. Additionally, we are collaborating with sector leaders from AFP, AHP, and CASE to host a National Conversation on December 2nd from 2:00 to 3:30 PM ET. This will mark a pivotal moment as these leaders convene to discuss generosity and issue a call to action.

Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for our meeting in Chicago from November 13-15, where our Program and Education Committee has curated an enriching experience. The Mentor Series will kick off our theme centered on generosity, and we can't wait to see you and your teams there. We ordered good weather just for you!

I’m also thrilled to share the leadership team for our 2025 Summer Symposium, scheduled for July 8-11 in San Diego. Richard Tollefson from The Phoenix Philanthropy Group will serve as Chair, with Co-Chairs Kate Hughes from The Angeletti Group and Tim Sarrantonio from Neon One bringing their vision, experience and talent to create an excellent program. Thank you, Richard, Kate and Tim, for leading the Summer Symposium and taking it to new heights. We welcome members to join the Summer Symposium Committee—there are many ways to get involved! Please reach out to any of the leaders, contact Erin, or visit our website to learn more.

Lastly, I want to extend my gratitude to our Committee Chairs for their unwavering dedication to advancing the Giving Institute's mission:

• Kate Roosevelt and Chad Paris - Membership
• Deb Taft and Poonam Prasad - DEI
• Jim Bush - Program and Education
• Tim Burcham (GI) and Kurt Worrall (GUSA) - Marketing
• Sally Ehrenfried - Public Policy
• Rick Dunham - Global Philanthropy
• Don Souhrada - Resource Development
• Barbara O'Reilly - Research
• Jennifer Jiles - GUSA Ambassadors
• Carrie Cobb and Carrie Dahlquist - Advisory Council on Methodology
• Megan Simmons - Editorial Review Board

The Giving Institute is committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all its members. Our success relies on the active engagement of member firms and their teams. Please share this with your teams and encourage them to use Sign Up Genius to get involved in a committee.

Looking forward to all the good things ahead and seeing you in Chicago!

Brenda

Time flies when you're having fun! It feels like just yesterday we were gathered for the 2024 Let Generosity Ring Summer Symposium in Philadelphia. With 133 attendees, including 46 first-time guests and 9 Golden Ticket holders, the symposium truly elevated our experience and time together.

In the spirit of the Olympics, one thing is clear: our Summer Symposium Planning Committee, led by Sarah Clough and Nikkii Kashbub, along with Lola Banjo, Sophia Barron, Jon Biedermann, Tim Burcham, Jim Cowen, Summers Hammel, Suzanne Hilser-Wiles, Laura Hutyra, Kate Hughes, Janell Johnson, Scott Lange, Brandon Lyons, Pamela Maroulis, Tim Sarrantonio, Don Souhrada, Eric Tomalis, Steve Waiksnoris, Chelsy Wilson, and Ryan Woroniecki, and supported by our MCI Team members Erin Berggren, Sophia Longmire, and Lea Williams, truly deserves a gold medal. Their dedication over the past nine months made the program and experience both enriching and engaging. We left the symposium with the spirit of Rocky, driven to create lasting impact and committed to making the world a better place for all.

Check out this video, created by Tim Burcham and Brian David, the photographer who joined us for the first two days: watch the video here. We also extend our gratitude to Jay Frost and DonorSearch for capturing our sessions and member interviews on video.

Thank you for completing the survey. Your feedback is invaluable and will guide the planning for the 2025 Summer Symposium in San Diego. Stay tuned for updates.

This fall will be busy with key projects, including a website refresh, launching National Conversation activities to spotlight the Generosity Commission's report release in September, and planning our November meeting in Chicago, which will feature the Mentor Series for new consulting team members.

As we move into the new year, I am excited about deepening our connection with member firms and gaining a better understanding of each organization's offerings. We aim to engage team members in meaningful committee involvement and, in partnership with Membership, make volunteering easier, more accessible, and inclusive. There is so much untapped talent within our organization that we want to leverage.

The heart and soul of The Giving Institute are its members. Together, we have the opportunity to elevate our brand, impact, and presence in advancing generosity worldwide.  I look forward to our continued journey. Please keep your innovative ideas and commitment coming to make the Giving Institute the best it can be.

Make no small plans,

Brenda

By Joshua Meyer, VP of Market Engagement for Bloomerang

The 2023 Giving USA report told the story of a challenging fundraising environment after a monumental boost during the peak years of the pandemic. The 2024 report reveals that total charitable giving remained relatively stable while other key trends emerged, from changes in giving for each sector to shifting donor priorities. 

So, how does this impact your nonprofit’s strategies this year? Let’s dive into the numbers to reveal the top takeaways from Giving USA 2024 and actionable next steps to take at your organization based on these findings. 

1. Total estimated charitable giving in the U.S. reached $557.16 billion.

Source: Giving USA 2024

This is a giving high in current dollars. However, total giving did not outpace inflation—it declined 2.1% when adjusted for inflation. Total giving has yet to top the all-time high of 2021. 

In addition, average online revenue declined 1% in 2023, according to the M+R Benchmarks study. Nevertheless, the study found that revenue from monthly giving rose by 6%, accounting for 31% of all online revenue in 2023 (up from 27% in 2022). 

Donors who contribute ongoing monthly gifts can provide a greater lifetime value than supporters who give just once or sporadically. This is a reliable fundraising avenue to consider as the nonprofit sector weathers fluctuations in total giving.

To foster greater recurring giving among your audience, take the following simple steps:

• Provide a clear monthly giving option on your online donation page.
• Demonstrate the impact of monthly giving by sharing stories and data with prospective donors. For example, you could share a story about how your monthly giving program helps provide food for families in need. 
• Spotlight the benefits of joining your monthly giving program, such as access to exclusive events or free merchandise. 

2. Giving by individuals declined by 2.4% in 2023 (when adjusted for inflation).

Giving by individuals is shrinking as a piece of the total giving pie. This phenomenon reflects uncertain economic circumstances, including rising inflation, which peaked at the end of 2022 and remained relatively high at the beginning of 2023 before declining. 

However, as giving by individuals shrinks, giving by foundations is growing. Giving by foundations experienced market growth in four of the past five years and significant growth over the past 40 years.

Source: Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

What do these numbers mean for your nonprofit’s strategy? We recommend taking the following steps to adapt to evolving circumstances surrounding individual and foundation giving: 

• Personalize the donor experience. Use your nonprofit’s donor management system to personalize supporter outreach with donors’ names and references to their past involvement, whether donations, volunteer support, or other forms of engagement. This personalization shows you care about donors as individuals and may entice them to contribute.

• Provide multiple ways to give. Give supporters a variety of giving options so they can choose the opportunities that best align with their charitable goals and giving capacity. In addition to direct donations, popular forms of giving include in-kind gifts, gifts of stock, and donations via digital wallet or cryptocurrency. 

• Promote DAFs as a top giving option. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) in particular are picking up speed as a popular giving method for high-value donors and foundations. Prompt donors and foundations to contribute DAF funds to your nonprofit by including information about the impact of these gifts in your fundraising outreach, including letters and emails. 

• Apply for relevant grants. Many organizations approach grant-seeking as a simple numbers game—the more grant proposals you send, the more grants you’ll win. But it’s equally important to choose grant opportunities strategically. This means finding grant funders whose goals and priorities align with your nonprofit’s and taking the time to complete each grant application thoroughly and thoughtfully. 

3. Several sectors saw major boosts in giving.

Giving to each of these sectors grew by more than 5% in 2023 (when adjusted for inflation): 

• Education grew by 6.7%.
• Foundations grew by 10.8%.
• Public-society benefit grew by 7.2%.
• Arts, culture, and humanities grew by 6.6%.

Source: Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

These segments coincide with common giving priorities of the wealthiest donors. With that in mind, we recommend taking this opportunity to refine your major giving program by taking the following steps: 

• Understand the shifting demographics of major donors. The average age at which major donors make their first large gift has increased from 55 to 66 years over the past two decades. Older donors tend to gravitate toward face-to-face communication methods. They also tend to take their time to research the causes they care about and ensure they make wise decisions about where to direct their philanthropic giving. Keep these preferences in mind as you build relationships with prospective major donors. 
• Leverage prospect research and wealth screening to connect with more major donors. Bloomerang’s nonprofit software guide points to prospect research software as an effective way to identify supporters with “the capacity and willingness to make a major gift to your organization.” These solutions can help screen potential major donors to identify your most likely prospects and reach out to them with personalized messages. 

4. Bequests continue to be significant. 

Giving by bequest stayed relatively flat this year but remains a significant piece of the puzzle of total giving. Bequests represent around 8-10% of total giving over the last 40 years. In 2023, giving by bequest totaled $42.68 billion, remaining at a relatively flat growth rate of 0.6%. 

To make the most of this trend, incorporate giving by bequest as an option for your donors. Promote this opportunity using these strategies:

• Don’t overlook small or mid-sized donors. Planned giving research shows that many organizations receive significant portions of their legacy gifts from non-major donors and even people who have never donated. Therefore, you shouldn’t overlook small and mid-sized donors in your planned giving strategy, as these individuals may be well-positioned to make a larger gift. 
• Explain the benefits of this type of giving, such as having the ability to create a legacy. Show donors how they can have an enduring impact on a cause they're passionate about. For example, you could demonstrate how scholarships funded by bequests help students achieve their academic goals. 
• Include information on your website about giving by bequest. Let donors know how to register for informational meetings about your planned giving program or join your legacy giving society. Provide details about how donors can work with their attorneys to prepare the necessary documents to contribute bequests. 

5. Corporate giving is a small but growing piece of the pie. 

The five-year growth rate for corporate giving is 14.3%—over twice the total giving rate over the same period (5.3%). 

Corporate philanthropy is growing as more companies offer a wide range of giving opportunities for their employees. According to research from Double the Donation, more small and mid-sized companies are getting involved in corporate philanthropy, and businesses are adopting more employee-driven corporate giving programs, like matching gifts. 

You can build stronger corporate relationships by making an effort to: 

• Form partnerships with corporate sponsors. Identify two or three businesses with which you could form long-term partnerships for mutual benefit. The most reliable corporate partnerships are built on mutual trust and shared values. For example, if your nonprofit seeks to preserve the local environment, you might partner with a local outdoor gear and clothing business that prioritizes sustainability in its corporate goals. 
• Find new ways to engage corporate donors. Corporate support doesn’t have to just come in the form of direct monetary donations. Ask corporate donors for in-kind donations to support events like silent auctions. Or, plan recurring corporate volunteer days with team-building activities. Essentially, give corporate sponsors new and engaging ways to support your mission that align with their giving capacity and interests.

Building a resilient nonprofit requires adapting to shifting circumstances and trends in the philanthropic giving space. Take the insights from this year’s Giving USA report to adapt your nonprofit’s strategies by prioritizing strong donor relationships and revenue streams like grants, bequests, and corporate giving. 

I recently had the privilege of attending my son's graduation from Middlebury College. Witnessing his excitement, coupled with the natural trepidation of entering a new chapter, reminded me of the significant transitions we all face in life, both personally and professionally.

This moment reminded me of the quote: "Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." Lao Tzu

As we approach the halfway point of 2024, I encourage you to reflect on your own new beginnings or small steps you can take for growth.

On another note, I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such dedicated colleagues like yourselves.  Your contributions as Committee Chairs, Committee and Task Force members, and partners are invaluable to the Giving Institute's success.

Members support each other and are eager to contribute to the thought leadership, business acumen and overall culture of the Giving Institute. This dedication is evident through some exciting upcoming opportunities for you and your team members:

Psychological Safety Webinar (June 12th): Dr. Gloria Chance will lead a mind-shifting session designed to equip you with tools for better personal and professional outcomes. Open to all members and their teams! Register here. 

GUSA Member Briefing (June 13th): Join us for insights on giving trends in 2024 presented by our partners at Indiana University of Philanthropy. Register here.

Community-Centric Fundraising Practices Research: Help shape the future of fundraising! We're partnering with Dr. Elizabeth Dale and Maya Hemachandra on a research project. Please consider sharing this brief survey (20-25 minutes) with your clients and network: Take the survey here.

National Conversation Taskforce: The Generosity Commission's report on volunteerism and generosity is due in September. A dedicated task force, led by Page Bullington and 14 other members, will develop a nationwide dissemination plan.

Summer Symposium (July 16th): Don't miss this chance to learn and network with colleagues! Huge thanks to the Summer Symposium Committee for planning this enriching experience and event. Register here.

As you can see, there's a lot happening! We're constantly taking steps to explore new endeavors and build upon existing opportunities.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Philadelphia!

Brenda

Just got back from AFP ICON in Toronto and I was truly inspired! Seeing over 3,200 changemakers from around the world – many from Giving Institute member firms – was a powerful reminder of our collective impact on global generosity. The Giving Institute and Giving USA Foundation's thought leadership plays a vital role in driving positive transformation across the sector.

It was a privilege to be reminded of the incredible organizations we partner with – the ones truly changing the world. The eagerness of attendees to learn new approaches for diversifying funding, engaging donors, and building connections was truly gratifying.

Together, we're part of a fabric that fosters vibrant, resilient communities with opportunities for all. We're excited to contribute further with upcoming research – the 2024 Giving USA release in June and the Generosity Commission Report this Fall. The Giving Institute and Giving USA Foundation are forming a task force to amplify a national conversation about the intersection of generosity and volunteerism. If you're interested in joining, the National Conversation Task Force please reach out to me, Josh, or Erin.

On behalf of the Membership Committee, let’s extend a heartfelt welcome to new member firms: Foster Avenue+Ovrture, Hallett Philanthropy, Spark Point Fundraising and Zuri Group.

Don't miss the 2024 Summer Symposium in Philadelphia on July 16-19! Nikkii Kashub, Sarah Clough, and their committee are planning an exceptional event. Network, learn about industry trends, and grow your business. Register now!

Lastly, a huge thank you to all our Committee leads and members for their dedication to taking the Giving Institute to the next level!

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Philly!

Brenda

Remember the new year, brimming with possibilities and ambition? With January in the rearview mirror, February can be a springboard with those bold 2024 plans coming into fruition. By regaining clarity, leveraging your teams, and refocusing on your vision, each one of us can seize this moment as an opportunity to create the next chapter of success for our organizations and for The Giving Institute.

Our dedicated committee chairs have been hard at work planning for joyful and educational connections, gathering valuable insights to enhance member experience, and driving impactful research that will solidify our industry leadership, and activating tools so members are equipped to maximize their participation in our association.  I remain humbled by the collaborative way we work together and the eagerness upon which so many of you are willing to carve out time to contribute to many activities underway.

Among all the incredible work currently underway, there a few things exciting opportunities for your planning purposes that I would like to elevate:

1. Don't Miss the March Meeting (March 7-8, St. Petersburg, FL): We already have 59 registrations and would like to surpass 2023 attendance of 64. The cut-off date for the Hilton’s group rate is Thursday, February 15^th. Betsy Chapin Taylor and Chad Paris have planned dynamic educational sessions that will take your firms to the next level.

   Ryan Woroniecki, the ultimate Giving Institute connector and Ambassador, is already organizing a spring training baseball gathering the night before the Board meeting. If you have not registered yet for the March meeting, please use this link to register as soon as possible so we have head count for the meeting and if you are interested can be in touch with Ryan about securing tickets. 

    

2. Save the Date! Summer Symposium 2024 (Westin Downtown, July 17-19, Philadelphia): Co-leads Sarah Clough and Nikkii Kashub along with their Committee Chairs: Tim Sarrantonio – Marketing; Erik Tomalis and Suzanne Hilser-Wiles- Programming and Kate Hughes- Hospitality are pulling out all the stops for a red-carpet experience that only the City of Brotherly (and Sisterly) can deliver.

As the Giving Institute continues to advance its commitment and intentionality of creating a more inclusive and welcoming culture, I encourage each one of us to remember Black History Month as being more than just a dedicated month on the calendar. Recognizing and celebrating Black history isn't confined to February. It's a continuous journey of learning, appreciating, and dismantling systemic barriers. Black history is American history.  Let's use this time as a catalyst to deepen our understanding, commit to dismantling systems of oppression, and work towards a brighter future for all.

I am inspired by our collaborative spirit and dedication to making a difference. Together, we can make this year truly exceptional for The Giving Institute. See you in St. Petersburg!

Warmly,

Brenda

As we approach the end of 2023 and prepare for the exciting year ahead, I am filled with gratitude and anticipation. Alongside our member firms, the Giving Institute has spent the last quarter reflecting on our accomplishments, defining our goals, and strategizing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The Executive Leadership Team and I extend our heartfelt appreciation to the incredible planning team and Giving Institute members who made our November meeting in Chicago an extraordinary success. From Ryan Woroniecki's insightful suggestion of a pre-meeting night at Second City Comedy Club to Suzanne Hilser-Wiler's warm hospitality and delectable homemade goodies, every detail was thoughtfully curated. Jim Bush and Sterrin Bird's energizing Mentor Series empowered our community of future leaders, while Ben Golding and his Program and Education Committee brought us Dr. Chance's enlightening introduction to Nonflict. Participants engaged in cutting-edge educational programming, provocative Lightning Rounds, and insightful Round Table discussions, taking our meeting to the next level.

We are deeply inspired by the dedication of our members, who selflessly volunteer their time and talent to make The Giving Institute a hub of joyful inclusion, honest partnerships, community, and excellence. We recognize that our organization's success hinges on the passion and commitment of individuals like you, who share our vision of advancing generosity worldwide. We are also incredibly grateful for our Committee Chairs, who continuously strive to elevate every aspect of our organization.

When Tim Burcham took on the Marketing Committee, we had no idea how comprehensively he would approach the opportunities for The Giving Institute to strengthen its brand internally and externally. Attending the Summer Symposium 2024 launch meeting with co-leads Sarah Clough and Nikkii Kashub, I left feeling energized by the engagement, excitement, and creativity that the sub-committee chairs exuded. Prepare to be amazed in Philadelphia, as Summer Symposium 2024 is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience! Under the leadership of Kate Roosevelt and Sarah Dave, the Membership Committee continues to take our membership efforts to the next level, streamlining the entry process and paving the way for potentially six new member organizations. Please be on the lookout for the Members Survey, which will be arriving in your email inboxes soon.

As we embrace this season of gratitude, your contributions stand out as a testament to the power of collective effort and shared vision. Thank you for being an integral part of our Giving Institute community, for your transformative engagement, and for taking The Giving Institute to the next level. Together, we continue to make a profound impact on communities, our sector, and the world.

I leave you with this quote by Socrates:  “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

With heartfelt thanks and warm wishes for a holiday season filled with much love, laughter and light,

Brenda

Dear Giving Institute Members,

In this moment as we reflect on the social, political, climate and other major societal shifts going on in the world, what privilege it is for our member firms to be in partnership with organizations near and far carrying out such critical work. As an association, the urgency of equipping our clients to be agents of change is more pressing than ever.

Sixty days into my position as Chair of The Giving Institute and wow, do we have a lot of great work underway.  I have been reaching out to members to have one-on-one conversations to learn more about how they would like to be engaged as partners in our work and how The Giving Institute may bring even more value to their firms. I am grateful and inspired by the on-going commitment of our members and their colleagues who raise their hands to advance the work of our association through their service. Here is a snapshot of some of the highlights of the impact work underway:

Drum roll please! I am excited to share that the dynamic duo - Sarah Clough, Marts& Lundy and Nikkii Kashub, Community Brands enthusiastically agreed to Chair Summer Symposium 2024 in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia.  Thank you, Sarah and Nikkii, for saying “Yes” to leading the planning and execution of our signature event as we continue to raise the bar.   Great things lie ahead with Sarah and Nikkii at the helm. Be on the lookout for dates as soon as hotel accommodations are secured.

We’ve launched! Tim Burcham, Burcham Solutions kicked off The Giving Institute’s inaugural Marketing Committee meeting. The Committee’s focus will begin with an assessment that includes organizational review and stakeholder engagement. The website will be evaluated as well. More to come as the Committee continues its work.

We are growing Membership under the leadership of Sarah Dave, GrantsPlus and Kate Roosevelt, Campbell & Company continues to flourish with 69 current member firms and four new firms in the pipeline. The Membership Committee created a new member (and refresher for existing members) orientation and will be offering quarterly sessions so member firms can learn more about the benefits of membership, as well as opportunities to get involved. Also, be on the lookout for an all-members survey later this Fall.

Systems and structure Deb Taft, Lindauer raised her hand to create stronger support for Committee Chairs with the development of a Chairs orientation, goal- setting guidelines and working with MCI to roll out a platform to make it easier and more accessible for members to sign up for various committees.

Tracking our successes Paul Koreen, KCI, the new keeper of the Strategic Plan Dashboard refreshed its look and now includes a new section of additional goals. Check it out, it looks really cool!

Thought Leadership Barbara O’Reilly, Windmill Hill Consulting, LLC, and Chair of the Research Committee is keeping the research tap flowing with the soon to be released report on Jewish Philanthropy in October and Emerging Donors in November.

Mark your Calendars The November 8th-9th meeting, which will be held in Chicago, is right around the corner with 68 people registered to date.  The Mentor Series, led by Jim Bush, Winkler Group and Sterrin Bird, Salesforce, is a not-to-miss opportunity for new consultants to sharpen their skills and take their career to the next level. 

Planning is well underway for the March 6th-8th, 2024, meeting in St. Petersburg FL.  Betsy Chapin Taylor, Accordant Philanthropy and Chad Paris, Parisleaf are planning a provocative program for us that promises to deepen The Giving Institute’s intentionality of creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.  Come to Florida in March to escape the cold and to be a part of Making Good Trouble!

Let me close by thanking each of you for your dedication and commitment to making The Giving Institute a better organization in so many ways.  This is a busy time for all of us and yet you carve out time to lead committees and task forces, prepare for and attend meetings, create work product, learn, provide thought leadership, and so much more.  I see you, appreciate all you’re doing and am grateful to work beside you. The best is yet to come!

Looking forward to welcoming you to Chicago in a few short weeks,

Brenda

I am truly humbled and honored at the same time to be stepping into this leadership role to serve as Chair of The Giving Institute over the next two years. It was great to see many of you at the Summer Symposium in Indianapolis in July where we experienced a wonderful time, sharing knowledge, building meaningful connections and enjoying being together.  Thank you, Lee and Ryan along with your Committee for truly one of the best Summer Symposiums on record!

I would like to start by expressing my gratitude to Peter Fissinger, our outgoing Chair, for his extraordinary leadership on navigating The Giving Institute through Covid, our DEI journey and steady growth during a time when other associations were shrinking. We would not be here and 70 strong without his and the past board’s commitment. 
As we look forward, my main goal is to build a more inclusive and connected organization, one that provides opportunities for meaningful participation and value for all members.  

I see The Giving Institute as a community of leaders. It is a forum for support, a place where we can learn from each other, as well as an incubator for new and exciting ideas that can help our sector become more resilient, inclusive and the driver for creating greater generosity nationally and globally. 

Throughout my career and tenure at Alford Group, I have been passionate about advocating for disrupting narratives in the nonprofit world. This work has led to the advancement of women and people of color in philanthropy, more organizations centering equity and inclusivity in their work, and the nonprofit community expanding the definition of who is seen as a philanthropist and what counts as philanthropy.

I want to bring that mindset to The Giving Institute.

My immediate objectives include:

• Launching the Marketing Committee, which will pave the way to heightened brand visibility for existing and potential member firms
• Strengthening our infrastructure including systems and processes, committees goal settings and member community building
• Updating our website
• Continuing our efforts to be a more intentionally inclusive and welcoming organization

While I may be Chair, The Giving Institute is OUR organization.  I cannot be effective without your active participation and support. I am pleased to be working with our Leadership as follows:

Executive Leadership and Board of Directors for 2023-2025

Paul Koreen, 1st Vice Chair
Deb Taft, 2nd Vice Chair
Jon Biedermann, Treasurer
Richard Tollefson, Secretary
Ted Grossnickle, CFRE, Past Chair
Ben Golding, At Large Member

Committee Chair/Co-Chairs

Poonam Prasad & Deb Taft, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Tim Burcham, Marketing
Sarah Dave & Kate Roosevelt, Membership
Ben Golding, Program and Education
Sally Ehrenfried, Public Policy

We welcome the opportunity to connect and collaborate–both with member firms and with all other aligned partners in the sector. On that note, I am happy to share that hard work is already underway to put together some exciting programs for this year: 

• November meeting in Chicago on November 6-8th Board meeting where the Mentor Series Bootcamp for new consultants and educational programming take place.
• March 2024 (TBD) meeting scheduled in St. Peterburg Fla. Betsy Taylor and Chad Parrish are planning a meeting where we better understand the operating environment of divergent ideology and its impact on philanthropy. We will be hearing back from the program planning committee in the next few months and will keep you updated.
• Virtual Networking/Educational Events: Our continued efforts to stay connected will include several virtual events that are created to foster networking, mentorship, and ways for members to learn from each other throughout the year. Keep an eye out for our SAVE THE DATE emails and be sure to register.
• Online Forum: Our online forum, also known as SLACK, will continue to serve as a hub for online communication among our members. This is a great place to ask questions, share information and network.
• Affinity Groups: Due to overwhelming interest, we are working on increasing online engagement with our member firms by piloting Affinity Groups. More to come on this. Stay tuned! 

 
We welcome your insights and encourage your involvement. Please feel free to contact me or any of our board members with thoughts and ideas that will allow us to grow together. I am excited about what we will accomplish together in taking The Giving Institute to the next level. 

Making no small plans!

Brenda 

Chicago, IL July 25, 2023 – The Giving Institute announces Brenda B. Asare, President and CEO of Alford Group as the newly appointed Chair of the Board of Directors for a two-year term.  

The Giving Institute, a revered trade association renowned for its dedication to thought leadership in the world of philanthropy, proudly announces that Asare’s term begins in July 2023 and will continue through July 2025.

"Brenda’s appointment as Chair of The Giving Institute marks a momentous occasion for the organization," said Erin Berggren, CAE, Executive Director of The Giving Institute and The Giving USA Foundation. "Her extensive knowledge of the nonprofit community, along with her past and current contributions to The Giving Institute make her the ideal choice to lead and deepen the impact of our organization. We are confident that with her at the helm, The Giving Institute will continue to champion thought leadership and drive positive change.”

Alford Group is one of the longest-tenured members in The Giving Institute and the only consultancy with its three CEOs having served as Chair.

Asare has been an active Giving Institute board member for more than ten years, serving as Co-Chair of the Summer Symposium and DEIA Committee and participating on the Strategic Planning and Membership Committees before moving to the organization's top post.

"I am truly honored and excited to take on this role," said Brenda B. Asare. "Together with our member organizations and partners, I am committed to fostering thought leadership that empowers others and creates a more dynamic, inclusive community that grows generosity on a global scale. I look forward to leading The Giving Institute at this unique moment to continue its legacy of empowering lasting change in the world.”

As the new Chair, Asare brings her expertise in nonprofit and organizational change management to the forefront. With a passion for diversity and inclusion, Asare has mentored numerous development professionals and has been a passionate advocate for disrupting narratives in the nonprofit world. This work has led to the advancement of women and people of color in philanthropy, more organizations centering equity and inclusivity in their work, and communities expanding the definition of who is seen as a philanthropist and what counts as philanthropy.

Earlier in her career, Asare served as the Chief Development Officer with the American Red Cross in Chicago, where she spearheaded various disaster fundraising efforts that raised over $100 million. Recognized as Crain’s Notable Minorities in Consulting in 2019 and Crain’s Notable Black Leaders and Executives in 2020, Asare's remarkable work in the nonprofit sector has earned her widespread recognition.

About The Giving Institute

The Giving Institute, formerly known as the American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel, was established in 1935 with a vision to champion thought leadership in philanthropy. The organization's member firms uphold the highest ethical standards and are dedicated to empowering generosity and developing extraordinary leaders in the philanthropic sector. Additionally, as the parent organization of the Giving USA Foundation™, The Giving Institute advances philanthropy through research and education, culminating in the annual report on charitable giving in the United States, Giving USA: The Annual Report on Philanthropy.

About Alford Group

Alford Group is a national, full-service consultancy serving nonprofits in nearly every state in the country. Since our founding, we have partnered with over 3,000 nonprofits to accelerate their impact and advance social change. Together, we’re building a world where possibilities are endless and reflect the best of who we are as humans. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn

Read Brenda B. Asare’s full biography here.

Giving Institute Colleagues:

As I write this letter we are past Memorial Day weekend and on our way to a hopefully glorious summer. Much is happening at the Giving Institute and I want to share just a few highlights:

1. As you may know, my term as GI Chair ends on July 19 when we will hold our annual meeting to elect new officers. I want to thank you all for the great support and dynamic work you have shown during my tenure. I also want to thank Erin Berggren and the whole MCI team. It has been fun. Brenda Asare is slated to succeed me as Chair and I know Brenda will do a great job as Chair. Ted Grossnickle, as Immediate Past Chair of GI, is leading the nominating committee that will present a new slate of officers for GI. Nominating Committee members include Jim Bush, Cedric Richner, Aly Sterling, Dana Textoris and Ryan Woroniecki. In addition to forming the new slate of officers, the committee is also making recommendations on how we might make the nominating process more transparent in the future. The new slate will be included in the board packet for the July 19 board and annual meeting. Stay tuned.
2. As noted by Giving USA Foundation Chair Josh Birkholz in recent communications, Giving USA research results for 2022 will be released June 20. There is a member briefing taking place on June 8. If you haven’t yet registered for the briefing please consider doing so. The briefing, presented jointly by G-USA and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, is a highly informative and interactive event. I know I represent many when I say this event has improved in content and helpfulness significantly in the past several year. The briefing will help you prepare for any events your firm may be holding on or near release date. This briefing is available to any employee of any Giving Institute firm. The only requirement is that attendees honor the embargo of all research results until the release date of June 20. There are so many volunteers with G-USA who help shape this research and present it effectively in collaboration with our colleagues at Lilly. Don’t miss out.
3. Summer Symposium, to be held in Indianapolis July 19-21, is shaping up to be a truly great event. Co-Chairs Lee Ernst and Ryan Woroniecki and the SS Committee have been working nonstop to line up outstanding program topics and presenters and a great slate of social events. Registration is running well ahead of past years so far. There is still time to register. When you do register, please be in touch with MCI staff for help on hotel rooms as the block of rooms at the host hotel has been sold out. You can still stay at the Conrad Hilton (host hotel), but at a higher rate. We have other options for you. The volunteer and staff involvement in planning the SS is truly remarkable. Between volunteers and staff we have over 30 people working on this event. In addition to Lee and Ryan, here are others helping to make your SS experience outstanding: Lola Banjo, Erin Berggren, Steve Beshuk, Jon Biedermann, Sterrin Bird, Gloria Chance, Nathan Chappell, Sarah Clough, Gail Dancy Heim, Missy Gale, Brian Gawor, Paula Goedde, Ben Golding, Gina Haze, Laura Hutyra, Scott Lange, Dawn Lego, Douglas London, Pam Maroulis, Ben Miller, Brenna Miller, Chad Paris, Katie Rozycki, Tim Sarrantonio, Sarah Sebastian, Jill Skene, Deb Taft, Sharon Tiknis, Erik Tomalis, Steve Waiksnoris and Meg Walter. WOW! (My apologies if I left anyone out or misspelled any names).

I hope to see you in Indianapolis. Best.

Giving Institute Colleagues:

This morning I had a zoom session with Josh Birkholz (current Giving USA Foundation Chair), Erin Berggren (Giving Institute and Giving USA Foundation Executive Director) and new Giving Institute (GI) board member Miriam Droller. Miriam is a Managing Director with CCS, a longtime GI member firm. She is representing CCS on the GI board, with Chris Looney having recently stepped down as a GI board member. This was an engaged conversation, and I left the meeting with a few thoughts I’d like to share:

• Miriam came to the meeting having researched both GI and Giving USA Foundation (G-USA). She came with questions, curiosity and insights. Having agreed to serve on GI board, she was already considering how she can engage and serve effectively. This made me reflect on how GI and G-USA are blessed with active and engaged leaders. Our great volunteers make both organizations dynamic and ever striving to improve. Fun.

• When Miriam asked what her role as a board member may be, one of the first things we discussed is how she can represent GI and G-USA to other members of CCS and invite them to participate in our programs and/or one of our committees. This made me wonder if all board members might improve in engaging their colleagues in the life of our organizations. Do we make sure they are on the GI e-mail list? Have we helped colleagues access programs? Have we invited colleagues to write a blog when our firm’s turn comes? Have we considered whether we have colleagues who may wish to serve on a committee?
• We briefly discussed the GI Mentor Series, a program designed for newer employees of our firms. We typically hold this in the fall and will have such an offering in Chicago later this year. It dawned on me that our current Summer Symposium co-chairs, Lee Ernst and Ryan Woroniecki, both first encountered GI through the Mentor Series some years ago. This is a fun experience for your newer colleagues. They get to meet others in the field and think about how our profession can improve. And some of them become GI or G-USA leaders. Please think about this when the Mentor Series comes around this fall.
• When Miriam had structural questions about GI or G-USA, Erin stepped in to provide valuable information. By the end of the meeting there was a list of 5-6 things Erin pledged to share with Miriam so she can be an informed board member. Remember that we rely on strong management to advance the missions of our two organizations. If you need more information about how you can engage with GI or G-USA, see if Erin and his colleagues at MCI (our association management firm) can help you.
• If you are a new GI board member and I have not reached out to you, please see if we can meet via zoom sometime soon to see how you can be an engaged leader of our organizations. Josh and Erin and I are happy to meet with you.

Speaking of Summer Symposium, remember the event will be in Indianapolis this year from July 19-July 21. Early bird registration is open until June 1. Thirty people have registered so far. Please consider bringing multiple members of your firm. You can register by clicking here. It is looking to be a great event. Thank you!

Giving Institute Colleagues:

January came and went and now I am in my final 6 months as chair of Giving Institute (GI). I look forward to passing the baton to Brenda Asare of Alford Group and know that Paul Koreen of KCI will move to become first vice chair and in line to follow Brenda as chair in July of 2025. Meanwhile, Ted Grossnickle, immediate past chair of GI, is busy building a nominating committee to identify our next slate of officers (not counting Brenda and Paul, who are “locked in” to their respective new roles) and continue our work of identifying board members interested in future leadership roles at GI. Stay tuned to hear more about the nominating committee in the coming weeks.

I want to wish a warm welcome to GI’s newest members: McAllister & Quinn and Orr Group. McAlister & Quinn has not yet named a board representative for GI. We will be welcoming C.J. Orr as Orr Group’s board representative. To my understanding C.J has already reached out to GI to see where he might engage to help the Association. More on our new members forthcoming from our Membership Committee.

Please note our next board meeting will take place in Denver on March 2-3. As of this moment we have over 40 people registered to join us. We have many educational programs lined up for this meeting. Thank you to Brian Gawor of RNL, who is leading the effort to provide strong programming around the meetings. We will have lighting rounds, roundtable discussions, opportunities to meet new members, walk arounds in downtown Denver and a session featuring local nonprofit board members from Denver. There will also be a fun social event for Thursday evening’s dinner at Tivoli Brewing Company. I hope you can join us.

Our January webinar, “Becoming an Ally,” was a great success. We had close to 100 registrants, including many GI firm colleagues not currently sitting on the GI board. Program chair Ben Golding and the committee have been working hard to provide meaningful programming for all GI member firm employees, and this event was perhaps the most successful such event outside of a board meeting or Summer Symposium. The session was led by our good friend and DEI consultant, Dr. Gloria Chance. Please note Dr. Chance will be with us in Denver. She will lead a panel of GI firm representatives who will share their firm’s journey and progress with diversity, equity and inclusion. Panelists include Summers Hammel of Benefactor Group, Kate Roosevelt of Campbell & Company and Drew Clancy of Publishing Concepts.

Finally, please mark July 19-21 on your calendar for the 2023 GI Summer Symposium (SS). Our co-chairs for this event, Lee Ernst and Ryan Woroniecki, are hard at work preparing for a great gathering in Indianapolis. We hope every GI member firm might be represented at the SS this year, and that many firms will choose to send multiple colleagues to the event. Stay tuned for more information. Here is a primer: have you ever ridden around the racetrack at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

Giving Institute Colleagues:

I hope this message finds you well and making plans to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends, no matter how you may relate to the season and no matter how you might define your family.

I happen to have inherited the role of Giving Institute Chair during a time of extraordinary growth and change. I can’t take credit for this growth and am simply working to lead us effectively with your help. At our November board meetings in Chicago, we had about 120 people who participated in person in some aspect of those activities: Mentor Series, dinner in Chicago, programs on DEI/the economy/succession planning and board meetings. The dinner Wednesday evening was so crowded one could hardly move around (we will try to fix that going forward). It is really wonderful to see all this active participation and experience your engagement in our shared work.

Giving Institute membership has risen to an all time high of 67 as I write this letter. The Angeletti Group, led by Jay Angeletti, is our newest member. Welcome! We have two new firms slated to become members in January. Another firm is being reviewed by the executive committee currently and we have three other firms in the application process. I am not naming these firms because it is our policy to wait until a firm has formally joined before announcing their membership. Assuming all these firms join soon we will have 73 members. We have already had 11 new members in calendar year 2022. So, if we get to 73 members soon, our membership ranks will have grown by nearly 33% in about 12 months. That’s a lot. Growth is great for our association and what we aim to accomplish if we can stay focused on engaging and serving members well. This is what we officers of Giving Institute are focused on. We appreciate your engagement and help.

I say all this in part because our current membership committee chairs, Aly Sterling and Todd Bayliss, are stepping down after over two years of great service to our association. Thank you both! We now look to the future with our growth pattern in mind. I am very happy to announce that Sarah Dave of Grants Plus and Kate Roosevelt of Campbell & Company have agreed to serve as membership committee co-chairs beginning January 1 (although they have already begun their work). Sarah and Kate plan to take an intentional approach analyzing our marketing, our application process, how we onboard new members, engagement of members and retention strategies as they move forward. They plan to invite all current committee members to stay on if they wish and expand the committee to allow us to focus on the above-mentioned objectives. Amid all this, we also want to proactively reach out to minority owned firms that may not either know us or see themselves as potential GI members and advance our DEI efforts by helping these firms feel welcome to apply and engage. It’s a lot and I know they are up to the task with your help and support. Stay tuned.

With all this change we also see some transitions I want to note. Jim Yunker, who has been a GI member for over 25 years, is leaving us as a member at the end of the year. Jim once served as Chair of the Council on Methodology and Vice Chair for Giving USA Foundation. He has always been a warm and gentle soul to our proceedings when present. We will miss him. Finally, Rachel Hutchison has announced her departure from Blackbaud in January. It is hard to imagine any one person who has done so much for Giving Institute and Giving USA. The list is too long to account for here. Congratulations, Rachel, and best of luck in you next endeavor.

Thank you again and be well this holiday season.

Dear Fellow GI Members: 

After a short lull following the Summer Symposium in July, Giving Institute activities are back in full swing! Here are some of the highlights of what is happening:

• We have seven new confirmed members of GI! Since July, the following firms have joined our association: Publishing Concepts, Forrester Fundraising, Endowment Partners, Orr Group, Inc., Burcham Solutions, Boomerang and Parisleaf. We have had one other firm approved for membership, McAllister and Quinn, who have delayed their start date to January of 2023. This represents unprecedented activity within our membership committee and a record number of member firms for GI. Our work in the industry, including the work of Giving USA Foundation, continues to bring attention to our association as a great place for firms to collaborate toward strengthening generosity and how we run our businesses. Congrats to all of you for your great work in advancing our association!

• Speaking of the membership committee, our two co-chairs Aly Sterling and Todd Bayliss have announced they will step down at the end of this year. We are working to recruit new committee leaders and also make sure we address the onboarding needs of our new members. Please join me in thanking Aly and Todd for their extraordinary leadership over these past few years. If you are interested in becoming involved in the membership committee, please let me know.

• Lee Ernst of Johnson, Grossnickle & Associates has agreed to serve as a co-chair of the 2023 Summer Symposium. Lee brings substantial experience as a SS committee member to this role and comes highly recommended from many GI colleagues who have worked with her on many GI related fronts. We are now working to round out our SS leadership, build the committee and identify a location for 2023. Please be in touch with Erin Bergeron, me or Lee with any input you have. Thank you for stepping up Lee!

• Paul Koreen is leading an effort to substantially update the GI Code of Ethics. Those of you who attended the Summer Symposium saw Paul give a short presentation on this process, which has been thorough. The task force will present its recommendation to the board at our November meeting in Chicago.

• Special thanks to Grants Plus for its work in helping the Generosity Commission identify potential funders to help us raise the final funds needed for the Commission to complete its work. Dana Textoris (congrats on being named GP CEO!) attended the September Generosity Commission meeting in Washington DC to present the work completed by Grants Plus.

• Dr. Gloria Chance, who joined our spring meeting in Scottsdale and led a highly rated interactive session on DEI for GI, will join us for another interactive session in Chicago next month. The DEI committee is excited to have Dr. Chance with us again.

• Don’t forget to enroll colleagues in the Mentor Series in Chicago on November 2 in Chicago. Jim Bush of Winkler Group is working with colleagues to put together a great program for newer members of GI firms. Thanks to Jim for his great work!

• Finally, please join us for board meetings November 2 (beginning with dinner) and November 3 in Chicago. We look forward to seeing you all!

That’s it for now. Thank you for your ongoing effort to make GI a great association.

Dear Fellow GI Members: 

Last month in Minneapolis, we had a remarkably successful Summer Symposium. There was a record attendance of over 120 people. We also had 23 first time attendees from member firms and 21 Golden Ticket registrants. The program was terrific and opportunities to network abounded. It was especially gratifying to see so many GI members leading sessions throughout the Symposium. Between early morning walks and evening activities we were at it from dawn until well after dusk. And the weather was great. Thank you again to Summer Symposium co-chairs Sally Ehrenfried and Allison Gannon. Thank you also to our friends at MCI who helped make the entire event go smoothly. 

Also, in Minneapolis we honored Giving USA Foundation Chair Laura McDonald as she finished her two-year term and welcomed Josh Birkholz as the new GUSA Chair. I look forward to working with Josh over the next year. In the GI board meeting, we approved the DEI Change Framework and began a process of streamlining membership approvals with a new policy. We also approved our budget for the fiscal year 2022-23.  

Our membership committee has been very busy. In recent days, three new firms have been approved for membership with GI: Publishing Concepts, McAllister and Quinn and Forrester Fundraising. We hope to see representatives from these firms at our fall meeting in Chicago. Also, there are five firms in the application process. Thank you to membership co-chairs Aly Sterling and Todd Baylis and the whole membership committee for their great work.  

Please plan to join us for the fall board meeting November 2-3 in Chicago. On November 2, Jim Bush will lead our popular Mentor Series for firm members who are newer to our field. Please consider sending colleagues to this career development educational event. The fee is $350 per person. Those attending the Mentor Series should plan to arrive in Chicago on November 1.  

We will have a dinner event on November 2 and a full day of programs and board meetings November 3. We are trying a more compressed schedule for this fall, so people can get home the evening of November 3. We expect the day to end at 4:00pm. Remember that all GI firm members are welcome at board meetings and programs on November 3; there is no admission charge. Those attending the Mentor Series are also welcome to stay for events on November 3.  

It is very exciting to see all the engagement we have across Giving Institute. I have met so many new GI colleagues through the membership process, through their work in helping make the Summer Symposium a success and through other activities sponsored by GI. Thank you all for making GI such a dynamic association! 

Why Minneapolis? 

Dear Giving Institute Members:

There are so many things happening in our association these days:

New Members Joining: We welcome Aqubanc with voting member James Cowen and EveryAction with voting member Jamie Mueller. Both new members were formally approved very recently, and we hope to see James and Jamie at our board meetings in Scottsdale. We have other prospective new members in the pipeline. Thank you to our hard-working membership committee! Also, please note that Aqubanc and EveryAction were Golden Ticket attendees at the Summer Symposium in Washington, D.C. last year. Please be thinking of firms you might invite to this year’s Summer Symposium on a Golden Ticket assigned to your firm. The Summer Symposium is a great way for prospective members to get to know The Giving Institute.

Brenda Asare and Josh Birkholz are leading an initiative to make sure we execute our new strategic plan. As we know from our client work, too many strategic plans sit on the shelf after much effort is invested to create the plan. Progress on the plan will be tracked, and we will also commit to learning as we go and being willing to pivot where needed. Thank you to Brenda, Josh, and those working with them on this initiative.

The Generosity Commission is up and running. Be sure to visit the website and sign up to receive regular updates on progress. You can look back on past newsletters to learn about the research being funded by the Commission.

Those who attended the Summer Symposium last year in Washington, D.C. will remember the dynamic conversation we had on data ethics. Paul Koreen is now leading the effort to update the Code of Ethics to be inclusive of data ethics. Thank you to Paul for this important work.

The DEI Committee is hard at work creating a Change Framework. As you know, there has been a survey (thank you for the strong responses!) and multiple members are involved in subgroups examining what GI’s future should look like from a DEI perspective. Dwayne Ashley and Rachel Hutchisson are leading this charge. Dr. Gloria Chance, CEO of the Mousai Group, led a “Lab” workshop on February 8th as part of the work to create the Change Framework. Close to 20 representatives from GI member firms participated. There was a robust pre read package and dynamic interaction during the sessions. Dr. Chance will join us in Scottsdale to lead a workshop with all those present at the GI/GUSA board meetings.

Laura MacDonald and Sally Ehrenfried have gathered a work group to examine if and how GI and GUSA can become a more active voice in policy affecting generosity. The group met on February 11th and will report back to the joint executive committee at its meeting on March 10th in Scottsdale.

Speaking of Scottsdale, please join us March 10th and 11th. We have a great lineup of programs, thanks to Richard Tollefson and the program committee. Plus, I hear the weather will be good.

Please note the new mailing address for The Giving Institute and Giving USA Foundation:

7918 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102

This is just some of what is happening with The Giving Institute these days. I have found it easier than I thought to serve as Chair because so many people are invested and doing so much good work. Thank you all and see you in Scottsdale!

I know you are all busy with client activity these days. The market is very strong for our services and things can get quite hectic toward the end of the calendar year. Here are some observations and updates for you all:

Coming through the recent fall board meetings and sitting in on our educational offerings, I am struck by how we have all innovated our way through the pandemic. We are successfully adapting to hybrid/remote work, helping our clients pivot their case for support and their fundraising strategies and working to keep our employees engaged and retained. I hope you feel, as I do, that The Giving Institute has helped you in these matters. The value of our membership is through our collegiality and our educational programs, as well as our shared commitment to strengthen the world of generosity. Thank you for everything you are all doing to make The Giving Institute a valuable enterprise.

Please note the upcoming Generosity Commission (GC) webinar, which will take place Thursday, December 16 at 12:00pm EST/11:00am CST/9:00 am PST. This will be an engaging panel discussion covering the evolution of the GC, its current membership, the strategic outlook for the GC and the research it is commissioning. Our goal is to give members an inside look at the GC so they can be informed when speaking with clients and other stakeholders. There will also be opportunities to get involved in the GC. Please make this webinar available to all your colleagues – it is free. Thank you to our own Ted Grossnickle, GC member and CEO of Points of Light Natalye Paquin and GC Chair and Vice President of the Aspen Institute Jane Wales for providing this opportunity to GI members.

The Giving Institute DEI Committee is retaining The Mousai Group to create a DEI change framework for The Giving Institute. This will be an exciting and helpful step in our journey toward greater diversity, equity and inclusion in GI and its member firms. The firm is led by Dr. Gloria Chambers, Ph.D. This decision is the result of a disciplined process, including issuing an RFP to member recommended organizations. Thanks to the DEI committee for its ongoing work.

Please hold March 10-11 for our next board meeting and committee meetings. The date is still tentative, so look for confirmation soon. You will recall we did a board member survey to get input on this meeting, and the response strongly favored an in-person meeting. We are looking to hold the meeting in Phoenix. Stay tuned.

Please accept my best wishes for a happy holiday season to you and your families. We have many different constructs of families and many ways that we celebrate the holiday season. I wish you happiness and joy in your holiday experience. Thank you for your involvement in The Giving Institute!

Much is going on as we move toward our virtual board meetings on November 9thand 10th. Please plan to attend and invite your colleagues to the scheduled educational programs. The highlight of the meetings this year will be the presentation of new Giving USA research on donor advised funds, which will take place on November 10th. Find more information here.

The 2021 Mentor Series, also being held virtually, will take place onthree consecutive Mondays, November 8th, 15th, and 22nd.The Mentor Series is a great way to help orient new colleagues and introduce them to each other and to The Giving Institute. Thank you to Rachel Hutchisson and Elizabeth Ziegler for organizing this year’s Mentor Series.Register here.

I am also excited to share last week’s successful launch of The Giving Institute and Giving USA’s newest initiative,The Generosity Commission.The public launch of The Generosity Commission was the culmination of several years of planning and brainstorming by a Working Committee created by The Giving Institute. The Working Committee was led by The Giving Institute’s immediate former chair Ted Grossnickle along with several other Giving Institute members and firms. Ultimately, a terrific group of commission members was recruited and will work to create a national dialogue about the value of generosity in our society. For more information about The Generosity Commission, visit the website or read thepress release. 

I want to thank all the Giving Institute committee chairs, all of whom agreed to continue their good work as I assumed the role of chair. I feel humbled to serve you all. I would like to give special thanks to our vice chairs Brenda Asare and Paul Koreen who will be leading some exciting new initiativesthat you will be hearing more about as we move forward. Be well and “see” you at the November board meetings.

As I think about Giving Institute, it strikes me that our past, present and future are all very important to the role we play in advancing generosity. Campbell & Company has been a GI member for the entire 27 years of my tenure with the firm. I remember meeting people who were pioneers of the association. They shaped what we could be by prioritizing collaboration over competition and making sure ethical standards were always met by member firms. Today, I marvel at how the association has changed and the degree to which newer members are actively engaged in strengthening our association and our sector. Our diversity is increasing (firm type, age of participants, gender and race) and the ideas are flowing as to how we can make a difference in our sector. As I look  forward, I believe we are positioned to grow and blossom as an association. I am excited to see how we implement our new strategic plan which was approved by the GI board in July.

The power of GI is directly connected to the power of Giving USA Foundation and the research we fund. I look forward to working with Laura McDonald, current chair of Giving USA Foundation, and  the rest of the foundation board as it disseminates critical information about how we give and volunteer. 

 I had the chance to make closing comments at the recent Giving Institute Summer Symposium in Washington DC. I asked everyone there to think about our collective power to advance generosity and make positive change. I ask each of you to keep thinking about our collective power and to share your thoughts and energy toward our organizational goals.  Finally, I ask for your help and support as I serve Giving Institute as Chair for the next two years.