Research, Reports, and Publications
Submissions from 2026
The Annual DAF Report 2025: Updated Analysis Memo, H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Jeff Williams, Genevieve G. Shaker, and Rachel M. Sumsion
Beyond Good Intentions, Nonprofits Must Show Good Work to Build Trust, Emily Doebler, Jennifer Lawson, and Brenda Falk
Community-Led Movements are Driving Climate Action, Trish Abalo and Emily Doebler
Donors Face New Dangers Amid Increasing Political Violence and Attacks on Charitable Foundations, Elizabeth J. Dale and Brenda Falk
Employee Well-Being at Risk During Times of Hyper Disruption, Jill Roof, Anneliese Orr, and Mandy Sharp Eizinger
Innovation and Survival: The Charitable Sector is Looking for New Ways to Work, Jeff Williams
Partners No More? Government and Philanthropy Navigate a Fractured Relationship, Jill Roof and Jeff Williams
Public and Nonprofit Media are Facing Existential Threats, Trish Abalo and Emily Doebler
The Evolving Landscape of Philanthropy: Collective Practices, Digital Tools, and the Search for Connection, Michael D. Layton
Weighing the Power of AI Against Its Impact, Kallie Bauer and Emily Brenner
We Need Data and We Need Context. Both Are at Risk., Joe VanDoornik and Kallie Bauer
Where the Government Steps Back, Business and Philanthropy Can Step Forward Together, Emily Brenner, Tory Martin, and Anneliese Orr
Submissions from 2025
Annual DAF Report 2025, H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Jeff Williams, Genevieve G. Shaker, and Rachel M. Sumsion
Adopting Community-Centric Fundraising: Findings from a National Study, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, Elizabeth J. Dale, and Maya Hemachandra
11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2025, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University
America’s Population is Rapidly Aging. Can Philanthropy Keep Up?, Trish Abalo
Collective Giving Projected to Double in the Next Five Years, Michael Layton
Evolution and Challenges of Social Justice Philanthropy in a Polarized Era, Crisol Beliz, Emily Doebler, and Jennifer Lawson
Four Key Factors are Driving a Surge in Nonprofit Lobbying Activities, Tory Martin
Increasing Efforts to Address the Health Professional Shortage, Jennifer Lawson
More Foundations Opt for Planned Lifespans and Spend-Down Strategies, Elizabeth J. Dale
Tax “Cliff” in 2025 Could Mean Major Change for Philanthropy and Nonprofits, Trish Abalo and Jeff Williams
The Movement to Fund Democracy is Learning Important Lessons, Elizabeth J. Dale
The Nonprofit Workforce is in Crisis, Mandy Sharp Eizinger and Jill Roof
What Does the Future of Volunteering Look Like?, Tory Martin
With Unique Approaches and Millions Raised, Giving Days Grow Up, Julie Couturier and Tory Martin
National Survey of Donor Advised Fund Donors, Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC), H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Jeff Williams, and Rachel Sumsion
The National Survey of Donor Advised Fund Managers, Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC), H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Rachel Sumsion, and Jeff Williams
The National Survey of Donor Advised Fund Managers: Executive Summary and Key Findings, Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC), H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Rachel Sumsion, and Jeff Williams
Submissions from 2024
Conectando la filantropía comunitaria y familiar en América Latina: México, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy de la Grand Valley State University, Michael D. Layton, and Michael Moody
Connecting Community and Family Philanthropy in Latin America: Mexico, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State Universit, Michael D. Layton, and Michael Moody
11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2024, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University
AAPI Communities are Leading an Upswell in Philanthropy, Trish Abalo and Mandy Sharp Eizinger
Affordable Housing is a National Crisis with a Distinct Local Impact, Julie Couturier, Emily Dorn Jex, and Lesley D. Slavitt
A Wake-Up Call for Investing in the South, Trish Abalo and Tory Martin
Donor Anonymity Is Under the Microscope, Tory Martin and Michael D. Layton
Expected Changes to Federal Race and Ethnicity Standards Present Opportunities — and Caveats, Aaron Yore-VanOosterhout and Emily Doebler
Financial Stress and Philanthropic Influence: The Precarious Promise of Generation Z, Aimée A. Laramore
Influencer Philanthropy Is On the Rise, but the Platform Matters, Emily Brenner and Tory Martin
The Artificial Intelligence Revolution Arrives in Philanthropy, Kallie Bauer
The Fiscal Sponsorship Model: A Growing Trend in the Nonprofit Sector, Jeff Williams and Alexandra Akaakar
With Crisis Comes Change: Black Women and the Glass Cliff, Aimée A. Laramore
With Thousands of Incarcerated Students Enrolled in Higher Education, How do We Measure Success?, Emily Doebler and Aaron Yore-VanOosterhout
In Abundance An Analysis of the Thriving Landscape of Collective Giving in the U.S., Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, Philanthropy Together, Adriana Loson-Ceballos, and Michael D. Layton
Patterns in the Tapestry: A Typology of Collective Giving Groups, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, Philanthropy Together, Isis Krause, and Michael D. Layton
The National Study on Donor Advised Funds, Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC), H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Brittany Kienker, and Jeff Williams
The National Study on Donor Advised Funds: Executive Summary and Key Findings, Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC), H. Daniel Heist, Danielle Vance-McMullen, Brittany Kienker, and Jeff Williams
Submissions from 2023
Disaster Philanthropy is Transitioning for the Long Haul, Michael D. Layton, Kevin Peterson, and Katie Dietz
ESG Backlash Will Affect the Future of Philanthropy and Impact Investing, Michael Moody
For-Profit News Outlets are Exploring Nonprofit Models, Tory Martin
IRS Delays and Other Barriers to Data Mean Real Risks for Nonprofits, Jeff Williams and Alexandra Akaakar
More Nonprofit Employees are Moving to Unionize, Tory Martin and Pat Robinson
New Organizational Structure Models are Toppling the Staff Pyramid, Mandy Sharp Eizinger and Tory Martin
Policymakers are Paying Increasing Attention to Moving More Money Faster, Jeff Williams
Rethinking What Capacity Building Should Be — and Who Should Decide, Tamela A. Spicer and Trish Abalo
The Public is Holding Nonprofits Accountable to Living Their Mission and Values, Julie Couturier and Angie Vuyst
The Rise of Collaborative Funding, Tamela A. Spicer and Malik Robinson
Will Philanthropy Stay Focused on Racial Equity?, Teri Behrens
Submissions from 2022
Philanthropy 1992–2022: Budgets Swelled and Certain Nonprofit Types Flourished, Michael Moody
Philanthropy 1992–2022: Giving Changed — How Much, Where To, and Who From, Michael Moody
Philanthropy 1992–2022: Research and Teaching Capacity Grew… But Not to the Level of Our Ambitions, Michael Moody
Philanthropy 1992–2022: Shifts in the Sector Reflected National Events and Cultural Change, Michael Moody
Cryptocurrency and Philanthropy: New Donors and New Questions for Nonprofits, Julie Couturier
Donors of Color are Mobilizing for Their Communities – Often at the Forefront of Emerging Trends, Tamela A. Spicer
Expanding the Definitions of Philanthropy and Philanthropist, Michael D. Layton
Increasing Attention to the Decline in Household Giving to Nonprofits, Michael Moody
Innovations in Talent Investment for Individuals, Organizations, and Communities, Mandy Sharp Eizinger, Kevin Peterson, and Tory Martin
Nonprofits are Finding New Ways to Get the Data They Need, Kallie Bauer
Philanthropy is Entering a New Era of Engagement with Native Communities, Trish Abalo, Tory Martin, and Adam Engwis
Philanthropy is Increasingly Embroiled in the Culture Wars, Teri Behrens
Reopening Federal Pell Grants for Incarcerated People Means Higher Ed and Funders Can Do More, Tiana Hawver and Aaron Yore-VanOosterhout
Nonprofits Are Questioning Their Use of Facebook, Emily Brenner and Karen Hoekstra
Submissions from 2021
Data Comes of Age in Philanthropy, Jeff Williams
Dynamic and Disruptive Forces are Increasingly at Work in Philanthropy, Teri Behrens and Michael D. Layton
From International Grantmaking to the Globalization of Philanthropy, Michael D. Layton
Increasing Attention to How Much and Where Money Flows — or Doesn’t, Teri Behrens and Michael D. Layton
It’s Getting Harder and Harder to Distinguish Philanthropy and Business, Michael Moody
Philanthropy and Government Play Increasingly Overlapping Roles in the Public Sphere, Tory Martin
Philanthropy and Reparations: Righting the Past, Juan R. Olivarez and Leslie Starsoneck
Philanthropy’s Next Gen Is Starting to Make Big Changes, Michael Moody and Kevin Peterson
The Growth of Social Justice Funding and the Risk of Movement Capture, Leslie Starsoneck, Aaron Yore-VanOosterhout, and Pedro Gomes
The Nonprofit Sector Has a Unique Opportunity to Build Public Trust, Tory Martin
Trauma-Informed Philanthropy Builds Community Resilience, Mandy Sharp Eizinger
Submissions from 2020
Tainted Money and Tainted Donors: A Growing Crisis?, Michael Moody and Michael Pratt
Inclusive Growth Requires Urgent Collaboration and Deliberate Patience, Juan R. Olivarez
Alternatives to Strategic Philanthropy Are Emerging, Teri Behrens and Tory Martin
Collaboration and Consolidation in Philanthropy’s Infrastructure, Teri Behrens and Tory Martin
Data Science for Social Impact, Adriana Paz
Equity Mapping Tools Combine the Power of Data and Narrative Change, Kallie Bauer and Rachel Borashko
Increased Attention to Sustainable Development Goals, Jamie DeLeeuw and Teri Behrens
Increasing Critiques of (Big) Philanthropy, Michael Moody and Tory Martin
Millennials in the Nonprofit Workforce Present Challenges and Opportunities, Teri Behrens and Tory Martin
Philanthropy Will Be On the Front Lines of Climate Change, Teri Behrens and Tory Martin
Submissions from 2019
Foundations Are No Longer Wedded to the Long Game, Teri Behrens
As Donors and as Causes, Women are Taking the Lead in Philanthropy, Kate Pew Wolters
Concrete Strategies Are Emerging for Implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Principles, Juan R. Olivarez
Powering Communities While Protecting Individuals, Erica Czaja
The Wealth Gap Is Becoming a Giving Gap, Michael Moody
Nonprofits Are Playing a Vital Role in Civic Engagement, Tory Martin
More Tools — and More Calls — to Align Foundation Culture With Mission and Values, Teri Behrens
