Publications

2010 Giving Report: Our Region, Our Giving
Foundation giving in the region dropped by 9.6% in 2009, an unprecedented decline after foundation assets took a historic hit in 2008. As Tamara Lucas Copeland to the explained to the Washington Post, it was a year with more collaboration than in the past, as foundations, businesses, nonprofits and governments worked together more closely to try to find solutions and make dollars stretch further. "The economy was down, needs were skyrocketing... What was clear was that business as usual wasn't going to work."

2010 Mid-Year Report: Beyond Dollars for Big Change
When the size of the economic downturn and its potential impact on foundation giving first became clear, Washington Grantmakers began to focus on other routes to progress: funders' ability to build partnerships, to be strong voices for change, to leverage key resources, and to capitalize on timing and momentum. In this report, you will find highlights from our year so far.

"Beyond Dollars: Investing in BIG Change - How Washington Area Grantmakers Are Creating Lasting Impact" (.pdf)

• Washington grantmakers are embracing "Big Change," attacking problems at their core with a long-term vision.
• Area grantmakers can drive "Big Change" by capitalizing on timing and momentum; being a strong voice for change; leveraging resources; and building true partnerships.
• There's more "Big Change" philanthropy ahead, despite the recession. In fact, the recession has spurred grantmakers to take advantage of their assets beyond dollars.
• "Big Change" philanthropy gets results.

Survey: Grantmaking in 2009 & 2010 (.pdf)

• The recession has served as a crucible for many grantmakers, providing an impetus to reduce expenses, reevaluate priorities, and promote and engage in collaboration.
• A lower percentage of grantmakers reported a decrease in assets in 2009 (65%) than in 2008 (86%). Some saw a decline in 2009 as a result of increasing their payout rates.
• Grantmakers expect to give fewer grants in 2010 than in 2009.
• More respondents expect their grants budgets to decrease than increase in 2010. Nearly half expect a decline; roughly one in six expect a decline of 5% or less. Nearly one-third expect grants budgets to increase. Approximately one-quarter are not sure.