GEO's National Study of Philanthropic Practice

Highlights

Racial Equity in Philanthropic Practice

Equity is central to grantmaking strategy.

74 percent of grantmakers reported that diversity, equity and inclusion are somewhat or very central to their organization’s strategy, compared with 45 percent reporting the concept as central or essential in 2017.

Highlights

Community-Driven Philanthropy

Grantmakers are shifting power through participatory grantmaking.

42 percent of grantmakers engage in participatory grantmaking, with higher rates among those that consider diversity, equity and inclusion very central to their work.

Highlights

Flexible, Reliable Funding

Multiyear funding is gaining momentum.

Multiyear support is now provided by 87 percent of grantmakers, up from 79 percent in 2014 and 2017.

Highlights

Flexible, Reliable Funding

Flexible funding is catching on.

Median general operating support has climbed to 38 percent of grantmaking budgets, after nearly two decades at 20 percent.

Highlights

Flexible, Reliable Funding

The 5 percent payout is no longer the floor.

More than half of endowed foundations spend above 5 percent, with 43 percent paying out between 5 to 7 percent and 12 percent paying more than 7 percent annually.

Highlights

Capacity Building

Capacity-building support is slipping.

In 2025, 77 percent of grantmakers provide capacity-building support, down from 86 percent in 2017, even as nonprofits face escalating strain.

Highlights

Learning and Evaluation

Most grantmakers evaluate their initiatives, programs or strategies.

96 percent of grantmakers indicated they evaluate “occasionally”, “sometimes” or “often.” This is a significant rise since the last study in 2017 where only 77 percent of grantmakers evaluated their work.

Highlights

Learning and Evaluation

Evaluation requirements are outpacing support.

Most funders (80 percent) require grantees to conduct evaluations, but 38 percent do not provide funding for evaluations — leaving nonprofits to absorb costs.

Highlights

Collaboration

Grantmakers collaborate within and across sectors in equal measure.

More than half of grantmakers (57 percent) often work with other funders and 55 percent work with public or private sector partners to collaboratively advance a shared vision.

Animated pie chart showing change in how central diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is to grantmakers’ strategies. The chart begins with a magenta slice expanding to 74% of the circle, representing 2025. It then layers over a purple slice representing 45% of grantmakers in 2017. Title reads, “DEI is somewhat or very central to organization strategy.”

Animated grid of 100 circles illustrating participatory grantmaking. As the animation plays, circles at the top fill in green until 42 are filled, representing that 42% of grantmakers engage in participatory grantmaking. Text above reads, “42% engage in participatory grantmaking.”

Animated bar chart comparing percentages across years. Bars for 2014 and 2017 each rise to 79%, and the 2025 bar grows higher to 87%, illustrating an increase over time.

Animated bar chart comparing percentages across years. Bars for 2008, 2011, and 2017 each rise to 20%, the 2014 bar rises to 25%, and the 2025 bar grows higher to 38%, illustrating a significant increase in 2025.

Animated donut chart illustrating payout rates for endowed foundations. The chart begins with a light blue background and expands to show three sections: 43% paying out 5 to 7 percent in purple, 12% paying out more than 7 percent in green, and the remainder below 5 percent in light blue. Title reads, “More than half of endowed foundations spend above the 5% payout.”

Animated bar chart comparing capacity-building support over time. The 2017 bar rises to 86%, then the 2025 bar appears slightly lower at 77%, with a label showing a 9% decrease.

Animated bar chart showing grantmakers evaluating their work over time. The 2017 bar rises to 77%, followed by the 2025 bar increasing higher to 96%, showing growth in evaluation over time.

Animated donut chart comparing two findings about evaluation. The chart starts by showing that 80% of grantmakers require evaluations, and then transitions to show that 38% do not fund evaluations. The transition between the two highlights the disconnect.

Two side-by-side animated grids of 100 rectangles each. The left grid, titled “Collaboration between funders,” fills 57 of the rectangles with dark purple. The right grid, titled “Collaboration with public or private partners,” fills 55 of the rectangles with magenta.

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