Giving Compass' Take:

• Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy highlights 11 trends in the social sector that philanthropists should take note of in 2022.

• How can you adjust your giving in response to these trends? How can your dollars do the most good in 2022? 

• Learn what grantmaking for racial equity really means.

Previous years’ 11 Trends in Philanthropy reports have examined the question “What is the role of philanthropy in a democracy?” This year’s trends reflect the sector’s grappling with a similarly profound question: “What role does philanthropy play in our national project — that of E Pluribus Unum?” Philanthropy is defined and redefined by the choices that are made every day, not only by professionals in the field but by countless neighbors and local leaders. People go into the work of philanthropy in order to build the communities they want to live in.

The following 11 trends are presented in no particular order. We consider them all to be significant.

  1. Cryptocurrency and Philanthropy: New Donors and New Questions for Nonprofits
  2. Reopening Federal Pell Grants for Incarcerated People Means Higher Ed and Funders Can Do More
  3. One Health and Animal Protection Philanthropy: A Growing Sub-Sector
  4. Philanthropy is Increasingly Embroiled in the Culture Wars
  5. Innovations in Talent Investment for Individuals, Organizations, and Communities
  6. Increasing Attention to the Decline in Household Giving to Nonprofits
  7. Donors of Color are Mobilizing for Their Communities — Often at the Forefront of Emerging Trends
  8. Expanding the Definitions of Philanthropy and Philanthropist
  9. Philanthropy is Entering a New Era of Engagement with Native Communities
  10. Nonprofits are Finding New Ways to Get the Data They Need
  11. Nonprofits are Questioning Their Use of Facebook