Will the possible recession announced affect donations?
The repercussions linked to inflation and the pandemic are numerous, persistent and more insidious than one might think. Everything converges in particular on one door: the philanthropic sector. Because when the needs flow, philanthropy is regularly called upon to help.
Is the time serious for all that?
The anticipated devastating effects of the pandemic on the sector will not have overcome the strength, resilience, agility and generosity of the philanthropic ecosystem. Because if there are many people who no longer have to demonstrate their ability to weather the storms, it is most certainly the people working in philanthropic and community organizations. These people, those who keep the social safety net at arm’s length, those who fight inequities, those who seek solutions to problems that no one wants to see and those who work globally for a better future, have done it, are doing it and will do so relentlessly and deserve all our gratitude. Just like those who volunteer their time and inject financial resources. These are the people who reassure us about the “benevolence index” of our society and who amply justify that we take, if only one day in the year, to say thank you to them!
Let’s not play the ostrich though
The challenges awaiting the philanthropic sector are not, however, superfluous. The number of donations has fallen by almost 3% in the last five years, although the number of donors has increased by just over 1%, according to a recent study.1. Organizations will have to take a serious look at the question of the philanthropic motivations of new generations of donors. Beyond financial resources, the scarcity of labor is also a problem. When it comes to retaining talent, whether volunteer or paid, it’s a daily challenge and the competition is fierce.
Give yourself the right to dream better
Therefore, this National Philanthropy Day is necessary to remember that, despite obstacles and storms, there is a whole vital ecosystem that works tirelessly to align intentions, will, resources and needs. It is this ecosystem and all its players that we must collectively salute, thank and promote. They allow us something extraordinary. They allow us to dream. To dream of better.
So although the original question is more complex than it seems, the answer is glaringly obvious: there is absolutely something to celebrate National Philanthropy Day. And now more than ever!