Giving USA 2025: Philanthropy in Uncertain Times
Webinar (90 minutes)
This webinar and panel discussion will demystify the latest trends in philanthropy and provide insights on how to boldly engage donors in increasingly uncertain times. Alford Group will present the numbers, and an expert panel of sector leaders will share their experiences in growing donor support.
Resources and Downloads
Related Resources
- One, Big, Beautiful Bill: Impact on Philanthropy (Council on Foundations)
- Overcoming Psychological Barriers to Giving (National Center for Family Philanthropy)
- Developing Pathways to Planned Giving and High-Impact Philanthropy (William Blair)
- Corporate Giving: Key Trends and Insights (William Blair)
- Philanthropy’s Response to the Radical New Reality (Stanford Social Innovation Review)
Giving USA Report Details
First published in 1956, Giving USA: The Annual Report on Philanthropy is the longest running, most comprehensive report on philanthropy in the United States. It is researched and written by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The Giving USA 2025 was released on June 24th by The Giving Institute. Alford Group is a longtime supporter of Giving USA and member of The Giving Institute. President and CEO Brenda B. Asare is the Chair of The Giving Institute.
This webinar is applicable for 1.5 points toward CFRE certification.
Presenters
Brenda B. Asare
President & CEO, Alford Group
Brenda B. Asare joined Alford Group in 2004 and assumed the role of President & CEO in 2014. Brenda brings nearly 30 years of management experience across sectors. She has assisted clients in raising over $2 billion, focusing on campaign execution, strategic planning, corporate partnerships, board leadership development and organizational design.
Lieve Hendren
Senior Consultant, Alford Group
Lieve Hendren is a Senior Consultant at Alford Group, bringing nine years of experience in strategy consulting and project management to her clients. She previously worked with The American Medical Association, The Rockefeller Foundation and Teach for America.
Sharon Tiknis
Chief Client Experience Officer, Alford Group
Sharon Tiknis has held leadership positions in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years, developing distinguished philanthropic programs and assembling influential volunteer leaders to build organizational capacity and drive results. Having worked previously with Alford Group, Sharon returned to the firm in 2014.
Laura Coy
Partner, Head of Philanthropy and Sustainability, William Blair & Company
Laura Coy works closely with clients, key stakeholders and colleagues around the world to develop and optimize their sustainability efforts and charitable giving. For the past nine years, Laura has overseen William Blair’s growing, global community engagement initiatives with a mission to inspire the next generation of philanthropists through its employee-centered matching and global grants programs.
Stephanie Ellis-Smith
Founder & CEO, Phila Engaged Giving
Stephanie Ellis-Smith is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) and has nearly 30 years of experience in advising high-impact individuals and companies. She works with ultra-high net wealth and high-profile individuals, families, foundations and corporations to invest in people and organizations.
John Palfrey
President, John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
John Palfrey is a well-respected educator, author, legal scholar and innovator with expertise in how new media is changing learning, education and other institutions. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to rigorous thinking, disruption and creative solutions often made possible by technology, accessibility of information and diversity and inclusion. Palfrey has extensive experience in social change spanning the education, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.