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Philanthropy Trends in 2020 | Bryan Rishforth | Community Involvement
a Philanthropy Trends in 2020 by bryanrishforth | Mar 4, 2020 | Bryan Rishforth, Philanthropy
Current and future trends in the charitable sector, both large and small, are deeply re ective of American society. After all, what happens in the world and in our country greatly a ects the behavior of donors, which impacts nonpro ts. Political and societal trends, which include economic inequality, mounting populism, ideological polarization and shifting demographics will all play a part in in uencing trends in philanthropy over the next year and beyond. While it is di cult to o er any con dent prediction of which way things will go, it’s useful to understand the possibilities.  Trend: Big Philanthropy Increases https://bryanrishforth.org/philanthropy-trends-in-2020/
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Philanthropy Trends in 2020 | Bryan Rishforth | Community Involvement
With a small number of in uential and high pro le billionaires pledging to give away their fortunes, there exists the possibility that others will follow suit. Indeed, the average age of the members of the Forbes 400 list is 67. As these billionaires begin to see the sunset on the horizon, they may act with a greater sense of urgency in disposing of their assets. Trend: Small Philanthropy Decreases Ordinary Americans—once a cornerstone of small giving, continue to be pressed with chronic nancial insecurity. With 40% of Americans reporting an inability to fund a $400 emergency, it is easy to understand the decline in small donors. Also, with the changes in federal tax law initiated in 2018, there is less nancial motivation to make donations. While e orts to reverse income inequality could change the direction of this trend, it’s di cult to see it changing course any time soon. Trend: Government Resources Wane Enormous debt, growing populism and public distrust can all contribute to a decline in big government. There’s a good chance surging entitlement and pension costs will supersede spending on any other federal, state and local budget priorities. As funding for new initiatives wanes, further privatization of problem-solving is likely. Trend: Politicization of Giving will intensify The use of tax-deductible gifts to in uence public policy and electoral outcomes has been well underway since the 2016 election and is sure to continue. Subsequently, increasing numbers of non-pro t organizations are creating the accounting mechanisms so they may engage in electoral activities. As https://bryanrishforth.org/philanthropy-trends-in-2020/
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Philanthropy Trends in 2020 | Bryan Rishforth | Community Involvement
benefactors are holding an oversized in uence over the government, the backlash against “philantocracy” will grow. No one trend stands out as an apparent front runner. 2020 is likely to see a combination of a few, if not all, of these trends.
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© Bryan Rishforth 2020
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