Philanthropy is often defined by the literature through a wealth-White-heterosexual-male lens. However, all communities and members of marginalized social identities have the potential to give, and they do! One aspect of my research focuses on philanthropy in non-traditional donor communities. Building off of research from the two national studies, the National LGBT Alumni Giving Study and the National Alumni Giving Experiment, this lecture will explore how and why people in the LGBTQ communities engage in philanthropic behaviors, specifically within the context of giving to higher education.

Philanthropy is continually transforming. Amid this ongoing transformation, one central question is how best to harness data, metrics, and knowledge to improve practice and achieve impact now and in the future.

While there is a growing emphasis on metrics to help track and measure progress in diversity, equity and inclusion, some trends in philanthropy are inherently less measurable because experience, intuition, and inspiration of donors remain key forces driving innovation and social change in the philanthropic sector. As new models and approaches develop that will shape the future of philanthropy, key questions include: What can data tell us about tomorrow’s donors and how they differ in their motivations, aspirations, and expectations from donors of the past? What are some of the giving vehicles that are shaping this new landscape for diverse donors? How is technology transforming the relationships among donors, causes, and communities? What are the key global economic forces that will influence philanthropy?

This session will offer key findings based on the emerging data surrounding the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion within philanthropy. Demographic shifts related to underrepresented groups require a more in-depth focus on diverse donors, diversifying the sector, and highlights the urgency to address issues of inclusion and awareness. Understanding new areas of practice in an around such topics such as grassroots fundraising, crowdfunding, giving circles, and participatory grantmaking are reshaping current approaches within the field. The session will also highlight new trends in developing diverse pipelines within the sector that aim to bring a deeper awareness of issues of DEI into focus.