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Philanthropy Southeast is closely monitoring ways members can support communities affected by Hurricane Helene. This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

Last week, Hurricane Helene swept through the Southeast, making landfall as a Category 4 storm and bringing catastrophic winds and flooding to parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The storm caused dozens of deaths and has left communities throughout the region, particularly in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, facing months of rebuilding and recovery.

Our team is ready to support members who have been directly affected by the storm by connecting them with resources and other sources of support. Please call us at (404) 524-0911 if you need to speak with anyone on our staff. You can also email Jaci Bertrand, vice president of member engagement, at jaci@philanthropysoutheast.org.

The North Carolina Network of Grantmakers is also collecting resources for philanthropic organizations supporting relief and recovery in that state.

Immediate Relief & Volunteer Opportunities

To help support immediate relief efforts, you can donate to the Red Cross here.

World Central Kitchen has sent teams to Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee to provide meals where needed. You can donate to support their work here.

Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization, has established full response operations in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, route clearance teams in Georgia and Tennessee, and reconnaisance teams in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. You can donate to support their work here. Volunteer sign-up is available here.

Those who live in and around Boone, North Carolina, can sign up with Samaritan’s Purse to assist with debris removal and clean-up between now and November 2.

In North Carolina, Volunteer NC is seeking volunteers here. North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster has a round-up of volunteer opportunities on its website.

If you know of other volunteer opportunities, please let us know.

The latest issue of Philanthropy Southeast’s quarterly magazine, Inspiration, is now available for all members to view online.

This issue opens with a special message from President & CEO Dena Chadwick, who reflects on the unexpected loss of Janine Lee earlier this year, while also discussing her own leadership journey and the continued need for philanthropy in the Southeast to serve as a source of both courageous leadership and bridge-building.

This issue also includes:

• A look at how foundations in Mississippi have supported work to honor the legacy of Emmett Till and turn the story of his tragic murder into a source of justice and healing.
• An exploration of how foundation work environments have changed post-pandemic, including shared spaces and fully virtual offices.
• An excerpt from a new book by Robert Dortch, former Philanthropy Southeast Board chair, on seven elements of leadership and how they relate to philanthropy’s work in the region.

Print copies of Inspiration are mailed to senior staff at Philanthropy Southeast member organizations, as well as Hull Fellows alumni. All members can access this issue, and previous issues, through the archive on our website.

If you have a story idea for a future issue of Inspiration, please contact David Miller, vice president of strategic communications, at david@philanthropysoutheast.org.

Get ready for Philanthropy Southeast’s 55^th Annual Meeting in Nashville this November with these titles by our keynote and plenary speakers, now available through our online Lending Library. Philanthropy Southeast members have exclusive access to our collection offering eBooks and audiobooks on best practices in philanthropy and nonprofit management, advancing equity, and trends in the social sector. Visit our website to learn more and get started today!

I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times by Mónica Guzmán
Chair's Book Club Selection

Journalist Mónica Guzmán is the loving liberal daughter of Mexican immigrants who voted – twice – for Donald Trump. When the country could no longer see straight across the political divide, Mónica set out to find what was blinding us, and discovered the most eye-opening tool we're not using: our own curiosity. In this timely, personal guide, Mónica, the chief storyteller for the national cross-partisan depolarization organization Braver Angels, takes you to the real front lines of a crisis that threatens to grind America to a halt – broken conversations among confounded people. She shows you how to overcome the fear and assumptions that surround us to finally do what only seems impossible: understand and even learn from people in your life whose whole worldview is not just different from yours, but opposed.

Philanthropy Southeast’s online Research Library is regularly updated with the latest reports relevant to Southern philanthropy. Members can browse over 500 research reports, websites, case studies, and other resources we have cultivated to help funders stay abreast of trends in the field and learn about emerging best practices in philanthropy.

Below are some of the key findings and highlights of the newest additions to the Research Library. If you would like to suggest a resource or have other feedback, contact Stephen Sherman, Philanthropy Southeast’s Director of Research and Data, at stephen@philanthropysoutheast.org or (404) 524-0911.

Philanthropy’s New Voice: Building Trust with Deeper Stories and Clear Language
Council on Foundations, Center for Public Interest Communications (2024)

This report examines the lack of a clear narrative about what the philanthropic sector does and how this impacts Americans' views of foundations and their work. Based on a multi-method approach including a survey of more than 3,500 Americans and interviews with practitioners, this study found that despite generally positive perceptions of foundations, most Americans don't have a good understanding of the role of the charitable sector in their lives. The study shows a need for a shared narrative around the work of foundations and better transparency from funders to demonstrate how philanthropy works. The authors provide a set of six recommendations for foundations and philanthropy to build more trust and promote a more positive narrative around the sector.

Today, Philanthropy Southeast, following a thorough review by its Board of Trustees, announced the appointment of Dena Chadwick as the organization’s new President & CEO.

Chadwick, who has worked for Philanthropy Southeast for more than a decade, had most recently been the organization’s Chief Operating Officer. For the past four months, she had served as interim President & CEO following the unexpected passing of Janine Lee, a transformative leader who put Philanthropy Southeast on its current path through the adoption of its Equity Framework as well as its current mission, vision and Courageous Leadership Strategy.

“There is no person better than Dena Chadwick to lead Philanthropy Southeast during this time,” said Kristen Keely-Dinger, Chair of the Philanthropy Southeast Board of Trustees, and President & CEO of The Healing Trust in Nashville. “We continue to grieve the loss of Janine and honor her memory – and we believe the best way to do that is to ensure the work of Philanthropy Southeast moves forward under Dena, who has repeatedly proven herself to be a strong, effective and compassionate leader.”

In recent years, Chadwick has played a leading role in the development of the Equity Framework, the organization’s groundbreaking commitment to inspire and strengthen learning, leadership and actions within Southern philanthropy dedicated to the advancement of equity in the field and region. The Framework, adopted in 2019, has since influenced the development of a new mission and vision. Chadwick is also a key architect of Philanthropy Southeast’s Courageous Leadership Strategy, which calls on the organization to take risks and make leaps that mobilize the people and resources needed to address critical issues facing philanthropy in the South and communities in the South.

“Dena’s experience, work and vision for Philanthropy Southeast are what made her the unanimous choice of our Board to step into this role,” Keely-Dinger said. “She has a clear understanding of our field, our members and the region, and knows that we must serve as a place where philanthropic leaders of all stripes can come together, work together and move our region forward.”

Chadwick, an Atlanta native who joined the Philanthropy Southeast staff in 2009, expressed her appreciation to the Board and to Janine – her mentor and friend.

“I would not be here today were it not for Janine Lee and cannot overstate the impact she had on me as a person and a leader,” Chadwick said. “I am honored and humbled to continue moving Philanthropy Southeast along the path she forged. I am grateful to the Board, and our incredible staff, for their support and for trusting me to lead this outstanding community of leaders.”

Chadwick said she is looking forward to reaching out to Philanthropy Southeast’s members and moving ahead with work that will leave the organization well-positioned for the years ahead.

“Our members, and the work they do in our communities, inspire me every day,” Chadwick said. “I’m excited to connect with them in the weeks ahead, working with them to move our mission forward and realize our vision of an equitable South.”
 

Earlier this year, the Philanthropy Southeast community was devastated by the news of Janine Lee’s passing. Over more than a decade leading our organization, Janine became known nationwide as one of our sector’s greatest leaders, known for her courage and commitment to the American South, as well as a steadfast belief in philanthropy’s power to transform lives and elevate communities.

This month, to honor Janine, we have released a special edition of our Inspiration magazine that highlights the work and legacy of someone who meant so much to all of us. This issue includes:

• A tribute to her career in philanthropy – at Philanthropy Southeast and beyond – featuring reflections from our staff and members throughout the region.
• A reflection from Toya Nash Randall, founder of Voice. Vision. Value., on Janine’s mentorship of Black women in philanthropy.
• Tributes from national and regional sector leaders.
• A timeline of major events in Janine’s life, from childhood through her leadership of Philanthropy Southeast.
• An introductory message from Philanthropy Southeast Board Chair Kristen Keely-Dinger and Chair-Elect Darrin Goss, Sr.

This issue of Inspiration is now available online – this link will take you directly to our PDF edition, no login required. Printed copies have also been sent to our mailing list of CEOs, senior staff and program officers.
 

Philanthropy Southeast regularly provides members with updates on the latest public policy developments in Washington and state capitols around the region, analyzing their possible impact on the charitable sector. If you would like to see an issue featured in a future Public Policy Update, contact Jaci Bertrand, Philanthropy Southeast's vice president of member engagement, at jaci@philanthropysoutheast.org.

Georgia, Kentucky Pass Laws Addressing Donor Intent

Note: This item has been updated to correct the name of Kentucky's governor, Andy Beshear.

In legislative sessions this year, Georgia and Kentucky both passed similar bills that supporters say will protect donors by giving them a course of action when they feel a gift recipient does not honor their intent.

Both bills – SB 433 in Georgia, SB 70 in Kentucky – would apply in cases where a charitable organization or trust with an endowment fund, such as a university, accepts a gift that includes an endowment agreement with the donor. 

If the donor learns the terms of the agreement have been violated, they would have four years to bring a civil action in state court. If a court agrees that an agreement has been violated, they would be able to order the gift recipient to comply with its terms. Neither bill would allow a gift to be returned, however.

While the bills are nearly identical, there are subtle differences. The Georgia bill, signed by Gov. Brian Kemp (R) on April 22, applies to both individuals and entities. It would give the donor, their legal representative, or their lineal descendants – up through great-grandchildren – the right to file suit. The Kentucky legislation, signed by Gov. Andy Beshear (D) on April 9, applies only to individual donors or their legal representative.

Similar legislation may be introduced in other states in the region – we are closely monitoring developments and may provide programming on this topic in the future. If you have questions about legislative developments in your state, please contact Jaci Bertrand at jaci@philanthropysoutheast.org.

Philanthropy Southeast’s online Research Library is regularly updated with the latest reports relevant to Southern philanthropy. Members can browse over 500 research reports, websites, case studies, and other resources we have cultivated to help funders stay abreast of trends in the field and learn about emerging best practices in philanthropy. 

Below are some of the key findings and highlights of the newest additions to the Research Library. If you would like to suggest a resource or have other feedback, contact Stephen Sherman, Philanthropy Southeast’s Director of Research and Data, at stephen@philanthropysoutheast.org or (404) 524-0911.

11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2024
Johnson Center at Grand Valley State University (2024)
This annual publication from the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University identifies 11 key trends for the social sector for 2024. Each trend is discussed in detail in an essay written by a faculty member or expert in the field. Key trends for 2024 include the expansion of access to higher education to incarcerated individuals; an uptick in philanthropy led by Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities; the need for greater support for Black women leaders; a call for greater investment in the U.S. South; anticipated challenges to federal race and ethnicity standards; the affordable housing crisis; growing adoption of fiscal sponsorship in the sector; the emergence of artificial intelligence; donor anonymity under the microscope; the promise of Generation Z; and influencer philanthropy on the rise. A related webinar is also available to view online.

Social Connectedness and Generosity: A Look at How Associational Life and Social Connections Influence Volunteering and Giving (and Vice Versa)
Do Good Institute, University of Maryland School of Public Policy (2024)
This second report in a two-part series examines the connections between voluntarism, social connectedness, and charitable giving. The study found that people who volunteered in the previous year were 14.5 percent more likely to give in the current year, and people who gave in the previous year were 9.3 percent more likely to volunteer in the current year. The study also describes how other forms of civic engagement influence volunteering and giving. People who belong to, or participate in, one or more community groups or organizations in the previous year were significantly more likely to volunteer and were more likely to donate money. Another significant finding was that volunteering and giving appear to increase the likelihood that adults vote in national elections, showing the connection between charitable behavior and civic engagement. Volunteering (for any cause, not just a political one) increases voter turnout probability by 12 percentage points, while giving increases voter turnout probability by 10.1 percentage points.

The 2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Survey is open to participants now through May. Since 1980, the annual Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Survey has provided the philanthropic sector with the most comprehensive data on foundation staff and board compensation. The annual GSB report is an invaluable tool for grantmakers to inform budgeting, talent recruitment, retention strategies, and personnel policies and practices.

Your participation in the GSB survey is needed – the greater the participation, the greater the insights for the sector and for your fellow Philanthropy Southeast members. Through a partnership with the Council on Foundations (COF), Philanthropy Southeast uses data from the GSB to provide custom salary tables for grantmakers from our region each fall (typically early October).

What are the benefits for participating organizations?

All survey participants (both COF members and non-members) will receive:

• Free access to the GSB Report
• Early access to the report’s data tables
• Access to create custom benchmark reports

Reports and data are expected to be released in fall 2024.

How can your foundation participate?

Visit the COF website to learn more and for detailed instructions on how to complete the survey.

First time completing the GSB survey?

See this page for answers to frequently asked questions as well as a list of documents you’ll need to complete the survey. The Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Survey live in Benchmark Central. If you have never participated in a GSB Survey, email your first and last name, title, and email address to communications@cof.org in order to obtain a Benchmark Central account. 

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Philanthropy Southeast regularly provides members with updates on the latest public policy developments in Washington and state capitols around the region, analyzing their possible impact on the charitable sector. If you would like to see an issue featured in a future Public Policy Update, contact Jaci Bertrand, Philanthropy Southeast's vice president of member engagement, at jaci@philanthropysoutheast.org.

Donor Intent Legislation Moves Toward Passage in Georgia, Kentucky

Legislatures in two Southeastern states, Georgia and Kentucky, are moving toward passage of legislation aimed at making it easier for donors to enforce the terms of gifts given to universities and other entities. Both bills are similar to legislation passed in Kansas last year.

The bills would establish that charitable organizations that accept contributions pursuant to an endowment agreement must abide by the terms of the endowment agreement, and that a donor may bring a civil action against a charitable organization for violating such an agreement.

Donors would have four years to sue once they learn of a violation of an agreement. Donors would not be allowed to seek a return of their gift or financial damages, but a court could order the gift’s recipient to abide by the terms of the agreement.

The Kentucky legislation (SB 70) passed the state Senate on February 5 and is now being considered by the state House. The Georgia bill (SB 433) passed the state Senate on February 27 and passed out of a state House committee this week.

Similar legislation may be introduced in other states, either this year or in future sessions. We will continue to monitor these efforts – if you have questions or concerns about donor intent legislation in your state, please let us know. We are also considering future programming to educate members on this topic.

Biden Budget, Like Last Year’s, Proposes Changes for DAFs, Family Foundations

This week, the White House released its fiscal 2025 budget proposal – and just like last year’s proposal, it includes a few items related to philanthropy.

The administration has proposed disallowing private foundations from counting distributions to donor-advised funds (DAFs) toward their 5 percent minimum payout requirement unless funds are distributed from the DAF by the end of the following year. Interestingly, last year this same proposal was projected to raise $83 million over 10 years, but the Treasury Department now estimates it will raise $270 million over the same 10-year window.

The second provision is aimed at excluding payments to family members at family foundations from counting toward the mandatory 5 percent payout. Under current law, reasonable and necessary administrative expenses to further the charitable purpose of a foundation count toward the distribution requirement.

This year’s budget proposal does not address the charitable deduction, which Philanthropy Southeast and others in the sector have asked to be made available to all tax filers, including those who do not itemize their return.

The budget proposal is not binding, but it does create a baseline for budget and spending legislation in Congress while also reflecting the priorities of the administration and Biden’s re-election campaign.