As the philanthropic sector prepares for the “great wealth transfer,” Gen Z and Millennials will continue to play a larger role in shaping the future of philanthropy. For private foundations, financial advisors, nonprofits, and philanthropists understanding their experiences and perspectives can provide a window into where giving is going—and a framework for effective collaboration.

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Introduction

The word “unprecedented” has been used to describe the current year with such frequency that it’s becoming shopworn. Still, the cumulative impact of COVID-19, high unemployment, and social turmoil has been nothing less. Confronted with suffering and ever-increasing need, the entire philanthropic community is under pressure to do more with nite resources.

To determine how private foundations are meeting this moment, Foundation Source asked its private foundation clients about the forces shaping their grantmaking, how they’ve adapted their missions and strategies, and their outlook for the remainder of the year. Because most Foundation Source clients, like the vast majority of private foundations, are relatively small (most with assets of less than $50M), their answers could provide insight into how the broader private foundation community is responding to the ongoing crisis and what we might expect to see in the coming months.

Summary of Findings

Thirty-nine percent of respondents said they had shifted their foundation’s mission since the start of 2020. When asked what factors contributed to their decision, respondents most commonly cited COVID-19 and the increased need of nonprofits.

Forty-two percent said they’d increased the dollar amount of their grantmaking since the start of 2020, and the same percentage said they expect to do so in the remaining months of the year. In addition to COVID-19 and the increased need of nonprofits, respondents cited social justice concerns (e.g., Black Lives Matter) as factors in their decision.

Some respondents used the capabilities of their foundations to go beyond granting to nonprofit organizations to grant directly to individuals, award scholarships, engage in direct charitable activities, or make program-related investments in 2020. For a number of these foundations, it was the first time they’d used these capabilities.

Although 86% plan to grant exclusively to nonprofits for the remainder of the year, other respondents are planning to employ other options as well. For those respondents, granting to individuals is the most popular choice.