Many donors aspire to create a better future with their philanthropy—but how can you do that when the future feels so uncertain? The answer lies in a strategy that combines vision with practicality: futurism.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy recently hosted Trista Harris, a renowned philanthropic futurist and president of FutureGood, to share her insights on leveraging futurism for philanthropy. Harris, who helps visionaries turn possibilities into actionable plans, outlined futurist strategies for impact-driven philanthropy.

What Is Futurism in Philanthropy?

Harris defines futurism as “paying attention to patterns that are happening in the present and then looking forward to see what that means in the future.”

In philanthropy, futurism means adapting trends from technology, education, and business to solve challenges in the nonprofit sector. It’s a forward-thinking approach to creating change.

Tools of Futurism

Harris highlighted two key tools to help donors incorporate futurism into their work:

  1. Sensing
    This short-term strategy focuses on identifying and interpreting patterns in the present. Harris’s team uses a framework called WOW (weird, opposite, wonderful) to spot trends that stand out and have long-term potential.
  2. Backcasting
    This long-term strategy envisions the ideal future 30 to 50 years ahead. Harris encourages funders to ask: What would it look like if we were 100% successful in meeting our mission? What changes would result from our work? What do we need to do now to make that happen?

Getting Started in Futurist Strategies in Philanthropy

Here’s how you can begin integrating futurist strategies for impact-driven philanthropy:

  • Set Up Google Alerts
    Monitor the "future of" your focus area (e.g., climate innovation, philanthropy). Harris suggests framing some of your alerts positively to generate more hopeful insights.
  • Dedicate 5% of Your Time to the Future
    Use this time to review trends and apply the WOW framework. Keep a notebook (physical or digital) to jot down ideas, analyze their implications, and share them with your team.
  • Host “Field Trips to the Future”
    Visit places where the changes you’re working toward are already happening. For example, Harris once led a trip for funders to Sweden to study advancements in early childhood education.
  • Use Generative AI Tools
    Tools like ChatGPT can help you ask big questions, such as the likelihood of natural disasters in key regions. Then you can use tools like Guide to Good to find community organizations that work there and plan accordingly.
  • Support Capacity Building
    Invest in professional development for your grantees and the organizations you support. If you have a direct line to organizational leaders encourage them and their staff to attend conferences outside their expertise to spark new ideas.
  • Create Space for Boredom
    Boredom fosters creativity. Funders should ensure their teams have downtime to generate fresh insights. Sabbaticals or less screen time can make a big difference.

Futurist Strategies to Navigate Big Unknowns

When faced with uncertainty—like political shifts—Harris recommends developing a clear picture of how you want your organization to respond.

Specificity matters: As Harris notes, people often say, “If we can put someone on the moon, we can solve poverty.” But without defining success—whether it’s reducing poverty locally, globally, or for specific demographics—progress becomes elusive.

She also emphasizes planning for disasters before they strike. For instance, funders can pre-approve grants for trusted organizations and commit to disbursing funds quickly after a crisis.

Making an impact in philanthropy can feel overwhelming, but incorporating futurism in your philanthropy can reinvigorate your vision and inspire action. By focusing on what’s possible and planning for what’s next, you can fuel your hope and energy for creating a brighter, more equitable future.

Where will your philanthropy take you next? The future is yours to shape.

Watch the full webinar Imagining 2025: What's Next for Disaster Philanthropy.