The Center for Nonprofit Advancement is highlighting the release of the 2025 National Study of Philanthropic Practice, published by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO). This landmark study — the only national survey distributed to all staffed foundations in the United States — provides a comprehensive look at current trends in philanthropic practice, drawing on responses from 765 grantmakers.
The findings reveal both encouraging progress and areas where the sector continues to face challenges:
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): 74% of grantmakers report that DEI is somewhat or very central to their organizational strategy, a notable increase from 45% in 2017.
- Participatory Grantmaking: 42% of funders now engage in participatory grantmaking, involving communities directly in funding decisions.
- Evaluation Practices: 96% of grantmakers evaluate their work, up from 77% in 2017. However, 38% do not fund evaluations, underscoring a disconnect between expectations and support.
- Collaboration: 57% of grantmakers report collaborating with other funders, while 55% engage with public or private partners.
- Payout Rates: More than half of endowed foundations are spending above the 5% payout threshold.
- Capacity-Building Support: Support for nonprofit capacity-building has declined slightly, from 86% in 2017 to 77% in 2025.
These insights are critical for nonprofit leaders, funders, and policymakers seeking to strengthen the effectiveness and equity of philanthropic work.
Explore the full report here.