When the pandemic hit, organizations had to adapt their fundraising and outreach efforts. It was no longer possible to bring people together for in-person events or rely on the same strategies. While this drastic change was initially devastating for the sector, many charities quickly learned how to leverage technology and social networks to reengage donors and raise funds.

The future of philanthropy, which I believe is already here, is about connecting a greater number of people with the causes they care about through technology and the social ecosystem. We’ve already seen this concept emerge—especially among younger generations. On popular social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, users can actively encourage their friends and followers to donate to causes in their profiles or for their birthdays through a single post or link. These capabilities make it easier for ordinary people to give and amplify their charitable impacts—which is key to the sustainability of philanthropy.

As someone who is working to modernize philanthropy and empower everyday donors, I believe the future of philanthropy can, and will, be different in the following four ways:

  1. We will recognize the power of everyday donors and celebrate their impact.
  2. More causes will have access to broader support.
  3. Giving will become easier, seamless, and more impactful.  
  4. More people will be empowered to be part of philanthropy, including younger donors.

Read the full article about the future of philanthropy by Keith Leaphart at PhilanTopic.