(Illustration by iStock/erhui1979)
In this moment of fundamental rupture and breathtaking change across the US government and civil society, there’s no shortage of thoughtful counsel and alarm-ringing within the philanthropic sector. But despite the abundance of information and the urgency, the path forward isn’t always clear.
In our work as philanthropic advisors, we've seen three distinct responses emerge. Some foundations and family philanthropists are making significant changes to their approach—increasing payouts, shifting funding strategies, and/or taking calculated risks. More remain in holding patterns, perhaps signing public statements but not yet ready to change their fundamental approach or make new grants. Still others are eager to change course but feel isolated or afraid, not benefiting from the courage of their quieter peers. Among family givers in particular, disorientation, fear, and a sense of feeling stuck seem to dominate.
But this chaotic moment gives donors the precious opportunity to ground themselves in their “why” (what motivates them to give) and recommit to their "what" (which causes and organizations they fund) while revising their "how" (the way they give). This grounding process can both activate the courage necessary to address current challenges and influence others who otherwise might not feel emboldened to act.
The way forward is the fundamentally the same for large legacy institutions and charitable families alike. As author Dimple Abichandani advises in her book, A New Era of Philanthropy, “instead of waiting and seeing, we must do and learn.”
10 Questions to Move Donors Forward
The following questions can help open up new ways of thinking and energize donors who are looking to pivot but aren’t sure how to proceed. It’s not necessary to answer all of them; donors should choose the ones that make the most sense for their mission and the communities they seek to serve.
- Why not seed endowments or other forms of “durable capital” for grantees whose work is particularly valuable to their field or community? If you're worried about sustainability in a volatile environment, or want to help grantees scale, partner, or diversify more effectively, consider giving the gift of financial stability through endowment grants or future-focused growth capital. The Schott Foundation’s 2022 campaign to raise endowment capital for nonprofits led by people of color offers an example.
- How can you help grantees build capacities that improve their resilience? Most grantees need legal counsel, cybersecurity support, and help navigating AI disruption. Directing dollars and making connections to specialized assistance can help them adapt and grow. For example, the National Endowment for Democracy connects human rights organizations and democracy activists with free, high-quality cybersecurity support from tech company Cloudflare, protecting their websites from attacks that take them offline. And the Goldhirsh Foundation has been rolling out AI workshops and consultations for nonprofits to help them enhance their program delivery and ease administrative burdens.
- Why go it alone? Collaborative funding is rising rapidly because it works. Consider pooling your resources with other donors through collaborative funds or organizations like Philanthropy Together that help democratize and diversify giving. Collaboration amplifies impact regardless of giving level. Witness how donors quickly rallied around Unlock Aid’s efforts to help bridge some of the funding gap created by the defunding of USAID. Those seeking to shore up democratic institutions can look to multiple pooled funds, from election security to trusted news. And at a time when courage may seem in short supply, a group of funders is collaborating to elevate everyday heroes through The Courage Project.
- Who are your unlikely allies? Who might share your impact goals despite political differences? Organizations like the Democracy Funders Network are showing how to work across traditional divides to advance shared values. The National Immigration Forum works with faith-based organizations, business leaders, and law enforcement to shape immigration policies that advance the national interest beyond partisan lines. And conservative climate groups are finding common cause with more traditionally left-of-center environmental organizations on issues like nuclear energy, land stewardship, and food safety, where they might share similar goals but use different language.
- Why presume perpetuity? Bill Gates recently announced the Gates Foundation's bold spend-down plan, joining others like the Kendeda Fund, the Tara Health Foundation, and a growing number of family foundations. What creative solutions to problem-solving or shifts in power might you unlock by embracing a limited horizon and signaling to others that it’s both possible and desirable? Those who've chosen this path consistently report greater impact, closer community relationships, and the freedom to take more calculated risks.
- Why stick to the 5 percent minimum foundation payout? As just two examples, the Sobrato family upped its philanthropic support to 25 percent of assets in 2025, and the Freedom Together Foundation is now spending 10 percent of its endowment annually instead of 5 percent. These aren't reckless moves—they're strategic responses to unprecedented need and opportunity. Greater payout is also a longer-standing trend within family philanthropy. And if you make grants through a donor-advised fund (DAF), consider automating your giving and providing recurring support to your grantees.
- How can you leverage assets beyond your checkbook? Your foundation or DAF has more power than your purse. Consider convening other funders around urgent causes or helping nonprofits coordinate and build movements together—as the Sand Hill Foundation has done to advance youth wellness locally. Introducing grantees to other grantmakers in their field, business leaders, or donor learning communities like Forward Global may have even greater impact than your funds; these conversations can facilitate new partnerships, help your grantees communicate more broadly, or attract new funders.
- Should you revisit your impact model? Should you still think solely in terms of traditional grants, or might you view your whole pool of capital as a source for generating impact—for example, via low-interest loans, recoverable grants, patient investments, or catalytic first-loss capital? Should you consider creating a 501(c)(4) entity alongside your 501(c)(3) foundation? The Grove Foundation created the Grove Action Fund, for example, to create a path for engagement in direct legislative and political advocacy that aligns with its grantmaking and investments. What structure would best serve your purpose now, and what talent do you need to fuel it? Now might be an excellent time to revisit your relationship with the broader community, and any assumptions about power and expertise embedded in your staffing priorities and roles. Some foundations, like the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, have done this as part of their shift to trust-based philanthropy.
- Should you augment your current grantee list? You chose your grantees for a reason, and this is not the time to leave them hanging. Fund them as early in their fiscal year as possible so that they have the security of knowing what resources they can count on. If you also want ideas about newly urgent needs and funding opportunities, one option is to turn to curators. The Democracy Fund's Courage Calls Us campaign, for example, identifies democracy-strengthening opportunities while Project Resource Optimization works to address international development gaps left by shifting government priorities. Others include the Science Philanthropy Alliance, which helps match funders to opportunities that support basic science, and Climate Lead, which curates climate giving opportunities at large scale, such as supporting a $200 million hub to reduce global methane emissions. Local community foundations also have vetted local needs and opportunities.
- What are the risks of inaction? This is the most important question of all. Right now, time isn’t on the side of students losing academic support, families facing empty pantry shelves, immigrants locked in detention, a rapidly warming planet, or any of the problems philanthropy can help solve today. Consider the special privilege you hold as a philanthropist—deploying capital that's designed to absorb risk. The social sector already has a target on its back. Hiding won’t change that. As universities have learned, submitting to pressure often invites greater demands rather than ensuring safety. The philanthropists who have acted boldly by reaffirming their commitment to equity, like the Woods Fund of Chicago, or protecting immigrants under attack, like the Crankstart Foundation, haven't experienced special retribution—but they have stayed true to their missions.
If you still feel daunted by the challenge of giving in the new American context, ask your grantees what they would do and trust them to help design the support. They know what they need and have the ground-level perspective necessary to help ensure your giving stays relevant and effective.
Certainty Is Never Certain
No donor will ever know everything, and certainty is an illusion. The key is to get unstuck—to move from paralysis to action and to keep learning—however you choose to begin. Picking just one or two of the questions above get you started. Philanthropy’s abilities to adapt and take risks are among its greatest assets. Taking advantage of them while grounding decisions in the mission and the “why” can help donors replace scarcity with abundance, a defensive crouch with bold action. Now is the time to give—and to do so courageously, creatively, and collaboratively.
Read more stories by Catherine Crystal Foster & Philippe Sion.