Monday, November 17, 2014
Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia has released the report 2014 Giving in Greater Philadelphia at a meeting of more than 350 of the region’s philanthropic, nonprofit and government leaders. Compiled from a survey of the Network’s members, the study identifies recent trends, priorities and practices of key players in Greater Philadelphia’s philanthropic landscape. The report examines current, relevant information on giving in the five-county area, including data from categories of donors often omitted from similar studies, such as corporations.“Nearly every day we are asked, what are the sources of philanthropy? What are the priorities? What are the trends? How much is being donated?” said Debra Kahn, Executive Director of Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia. “This study begins to answer these questions.”
Kahn added that it was not the intent of the study to tally the total dollars given in the region, which are in fact much higher than the number— $248 million—reported in this survey, but rather to tap into giving trends of a broad array of funders.
Among the key findings, the report indicates that philanthropy in the region is stable and growing, tracking the national trends and indicating that the region’s funders are recovering from the recession. Reported giving grew 10% from 2011-2013.
Also of interest is what philanthropists are funding. Education; Arts and Culture; and Human Services top the list of priorities for the region’s funders, reflecting both Greater Philadelphia’s greatest challenges and biggest strengths. Education alone accounted for nearly one-third of regional grant dollars awarded by respondents, and funders expressed concerns about public spending on education, particularly in Philadelphia.
To learn more and download the report, visit www.philanthropynetwork.org.