4 Major Philanthropy Trends of 2022
While the pandemic has mostly receded as a daily concern, changes to how we work and live will continue to be a part of the new normal around the world.
Virtual meetings and remote work have become mainstays of modern life. Dogs barking or kids yelling in the background of a work meeting? Welcome to 2022. Socializing in big groups will continue to involve more complex decisions, especially for those with elderly family members or weak immune systems.
The world has seemed to speed up, and the only constant is change, making any forecasts about the future feel as silly as looking into a crystal ball. These crosswinds are further complicated by the increasing questions of national and personal identity that have become common across different countries and different industries.
That’s especially important for nonprofits and philanthropic organizations, which exist to improve their communities, often by persuading the individual members of those communities that supporting a nonprofit will elevate the quality of life for everyone.
It’s a difficult, confusing time, but here are some of the trends that nonprofits should be looking at as they look to the rest of this year — and beyond.
Cryptocurrency Donations
Nonprofits are often locked into old ways of doing things, whether it's their approach to fundraising or their strategy for maximizing service to their communities.
Which is why the idea of embracing digital currencies can seem crazy to many nonprofits who understandably view this new technology as uncertain and perhaps even dangerous. But the reality is that cryptocurrency is simply another way to accept money from willing donors.
It might take some effort to create an easy system for accepting such donations, but in a world with increasing competition and fewer donors, nonprofits should be opening doors to every possible funding stream – including crypto.
Animals Get A Boost
While there have always been nonprofits aimed at animal rights and the environment, such organizations have grown increasingly popular in recent years, especially those aimed at protecting wildlife diversity, supporting habitats and offering service animals to the people who really need them.
Now there’s a new sub-sector of nonprofits focused on the relationship between animal health and human health, including industrialized agriculture, the treatment of animals in zoos for entertainment, and the possibility of disease transmission.
Increased Focus on Political Issues
While Canada doesn’t have nearly the political polarization that exists in the US, it’s fair to say that many countries around the world, including those in North America, have become more divided.
Younger people care about social issues, and they’re more likely to be involved in charities than their parents. That means nonprofits focused on racial justice, civic engagement and hot-button issues will likely become more relevant in coming years. In general, nonprofits have less ability to stay out of major political debates. The young people who will become the next generation of donors and volunteers want to support organizations that take a vocal stance on major issues, resulting in a more complicated balancing act for nonprofit leaders.
Minorities More Involved
It’s clear that minorities — be they Black, Hispanic, Asian or Indigenous — have become a more powerful voice in the philanthropic sector. Supporting and elevating these communities is more popular than ever before, often as a result of increased engagement from individuals.
Donors and volunteers of color have become leaders in the nonprofit world, bringing more of their perspectives and needs to organizations that might have ignored them in the past.
While the future may be uncertain, it’s clear that it will bring new challenges. But nonprofits have an opportunity to make changes that will improve their ability to survive — and perhaps even thrive.
