Fluff Free Fundraising From Access Philanthropy

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2025 Lookback

We've pulled together the Highlights of our 2025 Newsletters

Here is are some Reports and Surveys from the year.

See our lookback at People in 2025 and Headlines of 2025

REPORTS & SURVEYS

Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report

2025 Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report (September) analyzes public data on nonprofit employers, employment, wages, and finances to describe the role nonprofit organizations play in the state’s economy. 

Key findings:

• The nonprofit sector in Minnesota has shown significant recovery and growth following the COVID-19 pandemic. ​
• Gender pay equity in nonprofits. Female employees make up 74% of the nonprofit workforce and earn 97.6% of what their male counterparts earn. Compare that to the for-profit sector, where females earn only 80.2% of male wages. ​
• The average annual wage for nonprofit employees has shown a slight increase after years of decline. ​

2025 AI Benchmark Report: How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Nonprofit Sector

This is a great introduction and idea generator for those who aren’t sure where to start with AI. The “State of AI in Nonprofits: 2025 Report” is a collaboration between TechSoup and Tapp Network. It has insights from over 1,300 nonprofit professionals on how they are leveraging AI. 

We, at AP, have been using CHAT GPT and ScholarGPT to support learning about client related issues. It’s very helpful, and this year we will be exploring other AI uses.

After 15 Years, What’s Become of The Giving Pledge?

Remember back in 2010, when U.S. billionaires were promising to give away at least half of their fortunes, either during their lifetime or upon death? Among those who signed the Giving Pledge – started by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett – are Elon Musk, Mackenzie Scott, Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Bloomberg, and Larry Ellison.  

A new report from the progressive Institute for Policy Studies finds that only one of the living original 57 signatories — Laura and John Arnold – has given away half their wealth since the pledge began. Just 8 of 22 deceased Pledgers fulfilled their commitments. 

The Institute is using this research to make the case for meaningful policy change, writing: 

“Instead of allowing the ultra-wealthy to park trillions for generations in family-controlled foundations and intermediaries such as donor-advised funds, we must strengthen the rules that currently allow them to use these vehicles for tax avoidance, and insist that donated dollars actually reach public charities that work for the public benefit. 

To address the Giving Pledge’s core problem, we must tax wealth at a fair rate to prevent these fortunes from accumulating in the first place.”

SAVE THE DATE

Top National Funders in Minnesota

February 19, 2026 9am-noon

The Access Philanthropy team will lead a dynamic session spotlighting the most interesting national funders investing in Minnesota: mega-funders, corporate foundations, and family philanthropies eager to support missions like yours. Watch for updates on registration.

Science Philanthropy Giving

The Science Philanthropy Alliance released its second Science Philanthropy Indicators Report (October). Using National Science Foundation (NSF) data, the report examines research and development (R&D) funding in the United States through a philanthropic lens, with a focus on the higher education and nonprofit research sectors.  

Trends in Climate Philanthropy

ClimateWorks Foundation’s report, “Funding trends 2024: Climate change mitigation philanthropy” (July), traces the evolution of climate philanthropy.

It also highlights key opportunities for philanthropy, including work done in Brazil (host of the UN Climate Change Conference in November), and initiatives to help communities adapt and build resilience to growing climate impacts.

Funding for LGBTQ issues fell by 22 percent (2022-23) 

The 2023 Resource Tracking Report: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Grantmaking by U.S. Foundations (June) explores the scope and character of U.S. foundation funding for domestic LGBTQ communities and issues based on grants that were awarded in calendar year 2023.

Giving to Women’s and Girls’ Organizations Surpassed 2% of U.S. Philanthropy in 2022 and 2023

The Women’s Philanthropy Institute released the 2025 Women & Girls Index, the only national measure of charitable giving to women’s and girls’ organizations, using the most recent IRS data from 2022–2023. The report finds that giving to these organizations surpassed 2% of total U.S. philanthropy for the first time (over $11 billion), grew significantly in reproductive health, and remains heavily reliant on government funding compared to other nonprofits.

Start your fundraising year off right with a free, 30-minute call with Access Philanthropy

Every new year, we reach out to local, national, and state groups to help them start the year off with new prospecting, messaging, connecting, and writing support.  4info@accessphilanthropy.com

Bank of America Private Bank Study of Affluent Americans Finds Generational and Gender Divides in Charitable Giving

In their tenth edition, Bank of America and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy released the 2025 Study of Philanthropy (November), examining charitable giving by affluent U.S. households. They found older and younger generations are surprisingly far apart on many investment issues, which could change allocation trends as wealth transfers to younger Americans.

Based on a nationally representative sample of 1,514 affluent U.S. households.

Bread and Roses Textile Strike in Lawrence, MA on February 24, 1912:

When you're out with friends or you’re just thinking about the plight of today’s immigrants, raise a glass to labor activist Elizabeth Gurley Flynn and the 1912 immigrant strikers. Many of 30,000 women and children textile workers who went on strike in Massachusetts were immigrants. Their labors led to change and give us joy, and hope that we can triumph once again. If you’re really in the dumps, listen to the theme song they inspired, Bread & Roses.

Remembering Melissa Hortman

The killings of MN Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark are unimaginable tragedies. The next time you’re out with friends from the nonprofit community, raise a glass to them. Melissa and Mark’s deep commitment to nonprofit areas included immigration, guide dogs, local arts, health equity, accessible transportation, clean energy, Girl Scouts, human relations, parent-teacher organizations, solar energy, higher education, and women in politics. 

Frederick McGhee, Minnesota’s First Black Attorney’s 164th Birthday

The next time you hear stories about the East Coast and Southern States leaders who established the NAACP, and who led voting rights and civil rights movements at the turn of the 20th century, raise a glass and toast Fredrick L. McGhee, one of Minnesota’s earliest Black civil rights activists. McGhee was born into slavery in MS, went into law after gaining freedom, and moved to St. Paul, becoming MN's first Black attorney. According to W.E.B. Du Bois, McGhee should get credit for creating the Niagara Movement.

JOBS IN PHILANTHROPY

These are open positions in MN:

Better Way Foundation is hiring an Associate Program Officer

Boreal Waters Community Foundation is hiring a Director of Strategy and Operations

Catholic Community Foundation is hiring a Grants Program Officer

Indian Land Tenure Foundation is searching for new President

Mary’s Pence is looking for a new Executive Director

McKnight Foundation is hiring a Senior Program Officer, Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems

Medica Foundation is searching for an Executive Director

Council on Foundations is hiring a Member Engagement Manager

The Mortenson Family Foundation is searching for an Office and Grants Program Coordinator

 St. Croix Valley Foundation is hiring a Vice President, Philanthropy

 Women’s Foundation of  is hiring a Senior Accountant and a Senior Manager, Individual Giving



You can find the links to several jobs boards and other open positions outside of MN on our website.

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DO FOR A LIVING? 

THANKS FOR SPENDING TIME WITH US.

Need some ideas, someone to talk to about fundraising, or just a fabulous listener/chatter?

4info@accessphilanthropy.com