The future of philanthropy: A commentary by Keith Leaphart

The concept of “philanthropy” has long been synonymous with large foundations, corporations, the wealthy, and black-tie galas and other big events. However, in recent years, I’ve been seeing an ongoing shift—a shift that is going to create a new era of philanthropy that will involve more people and celebrate the collective impacts of everyday donors.

When the pandemic hit, organizations had to adapt their fundraising and outreach efforts. It was no longer possible to bring people together for in-person events or rely on the same strategies. While this drastic change was initially devastating for the sector, many charities quickly learned how to leverage technology and social networks to reengage donors and raise funds.

The future of philanthropy, which I believe is already here, is about connecting a greater number of people with the causes they care about through technology and the social ecosystem. We’ve already seen this concept emerge—especially among younger generations. On popular social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, users can actively encourage their friends and followers to donate to causes in their profiles or for their birthdays through a single post or link. These capabilities make it easier for ordinary people to give and amplify their charitable impacts—which is key to the sustainability of philanthropy....

Read the full commentary by Keith Leaphart, founder and CEO of Philanthropi and board chair of the Lenfest Foundation.

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