Understanding the factors behind the decline and the implications for nonprofits

  • Charitable giving in the U.S. has declined among all racial and ethnic groups over the past two decades
  • Declines in giving were influenced by economic and non-economic factors
  • Religious giving rates declined between 15% and 25% for all groups
  • Secular giving rates also experienced an overall decline across all groups
  • Interpersonal trust among all racial and ethnic groups has declined
  • Philanthropy does not conform to a one-size-fits-all approach
  • Digital fundraising and recurring giving present opportunities for nonprofits to reach diverse donors

Charitable giving in the U.S. has experienced a steady decline over the past two decades, affecting families of all major racial and ethnic backgrounds. A recent report by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy explores this decline and its impact on communities of color. The report reveals that declines in giving were influenced by both economic and non-economic factors, such as changes in religious participation, engagement in informal giving, and a decrease in interpersonal trust. Religious giving rates declined between 15% and 25% for all groups, while secular giving rates also experienced an overall decline. The recession of 2008 served as a key turning point, with different racial and ethnic groups experiencing varying giving patterns. The report emphasizes the importance of closing the racial wealth gap and engaging donors of color in culturally relevant ways to foster a more inclusive and equitable society. It also highlights the need for nonprofits to understand and adapt their strategies to the diverse practices of generosity among communities of color. The rise of digital fundraising and recurring giving presents an opportunity for nonprofits to reach a diverse donor base. Overall, the report emphasizes that philanthropy does not conform to a one-size-fits-all approach and calls for a deeper understanding of the factors influencing giving rates among different racial and ethnic groups.

Public Companies: Sotheby’s (BID)
Private Companies:
Key People: Una Osili (Associate Dean for Research and International Programs at the Lilly Family School)


Factuality Level: 8
Justification: The article provides information from a report by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, which explores charitable giving trends by race and ethnicity. The article cites specific data and findings from the report, such as the decline in charitable giving among U.S. households of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, the decline in religious and secular giving rates, and the influence of economic and non-economic factors on giving. The article also includes quotes from Una Osili, the associate dean for research and international programs at the Lilly Family School, who provides further insights and explanations. Overall, the article presents factual information based on a research report.

Noise Level: 7
Justification: The article provides information on the decline of charitable giving among U.S. households, specifically focusing on trends among different racial and ethnic groups. It explores factors that contribute to the decline, such as economic shocks and changes in trust. The article also discusses the implications of the findings for nonprofit professionals and includes case studies. However, the article lacks scientific rigor and intellectual honesty as it does not provide specific data or evidence to support its claims. It also includes unrelated information about art sales and wine country exploration.

Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: No

Presence of Extreme Event: No
Nature of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating of the Extreme Event: No
Justification: The article does not pertain to financial topics or describe any extreme events. It focuses on the decline in charitable giving among U.S. households, particularly among communities of color, over the past two decades.

Reported publicly: www.marketwatch.com