Dear John,

Today’s release of "Giving USA" makes clear that substantial financial challenges that nonprofits continue to face: Gains last year were wiped out by inflation, and that comes after a 10 percent drop the previous year in contributions from foundations, corporations, and individuals.

Rasheeda Childress has the analysis of the statistics, plus the forces that will shape the rest of 2024 – particularly election uncertainty, continued inflation, the Israel-Hamas War, and more. Read her article to better understand the financial contours that affect the resources nonprofits have available to carry out their essential missions — and learn how nonprofits like Feeding San Diego are overcoming the pressures of rising costs and demands for help.

Feeding San Diego volunteers packing groceries

Plus, the Chronicle has many other resources to help you navigate what’s ahead.

Our weekly Fundraising Update newsletter distills our latest coverage. Sign up now so you don’t miss our reporting on fundraising trends, new research, case studies, and so much more.
Next month’s cover story, available online July 9, focuses on what it will take for charities to bring back everyday donors. Ben Gose reports that some fundraising experts hope artificial intelligence — and better outreach to donors — can make a difference. But reversing the 25-year slide in the share of Americans who give demands a lot more — and requires far-sighted leadership from chief executives and boards.
Coming up July 18: Our next webinar will offer advice from two successful fundraisers on the best ways to plan for year-end giving in these tumultuous times.

We also have a wealth of coverage on many other topics that offer insights to people at foundations and nonprofits. Here are some new articles I especially recommend reading:

How the Fearless Fund Ruling Distorts Charity, History — and Law: Roger Colinvaux, a law professor at Catholic University, says nonprofits and foundations shouldn’t be deterred in their giving to advance racial equity by a recent court decision. That’s because the ruling was so flawed it is likely to be reversed by other courts, he argues.
Nonprofits Are Taking a Stance on Gaza — and Paying the Price: Donors’ anger at nonprofits that have made political statements about the war are causing challenges for many progressive charities, including withheld funds that could lead to layoffs and program cuts.
Can Your Volunteer Program Bring America Together? This Screenwriter-Turned-Charity Leader Thinks So. The nonprofit Big Sunday is defying the downturn in volunteerism as it pursues founder David Levinson’s dual mission: community service that builds community.
This Silicon Valley Veteran Is Teaching Nonprofits to Harness A.I. Raffi Krikorian has built a robust tech team — including A.I. chatbots for nonprofits — at Emerson Collective, the philanthropy venture founded by Laurene Powell Jobs.

Our free daily newsletter, Philanthropy Today, can help you find out when we post stories like this. And to get the most out of all the Chronicle has to offer, I hope you’ll consider taking out a subscription that offers access to everything we publish.

We value your feedback so please do stay in touch with us.

With gratitude,

Stacy Palmer
CEO
Chronicle of Philanthropy

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