• Why does the new generation give or not give?
• What do nonprofit leaders need to know to survive and thrive?
• How can good giving be good business?

The answers to these and other essential questions are contained in the 12 key issues and 12 provocative propositions from the"Philanthropy Now: Seeding The New Generation of Entrepreneurial Givers"^TM Report.

The following chapter is from "PhilanthropyNow: Seeding the New Generation of Entrepreneurial Givers"^TM

Why This Disciplined Inquiry?

• New generation entrepreneurial giving will shape our future
• Not-for-profit organizations (NPOs) and foundations must understand
  them to serve them better
• Oregon income is up . . . but state still ranks 39th in giving
• Must engage "could-be-givers" now
  

Quality of life in Oregon and the U.S. will be shaped in significant ways by the quality and quantity of conscious giving by the new generation of entrepreneurial givers. This Inquiry seeks to explore and understand this new generation of givers and "could-be-givers". It is a "heads-up" alert for NPO and foundation leaders to find ways to better serve givers and fully realize their high-energy philanthropy potential.

What questions does this Inquiry begin to answer about the new generation of givers?

1. How are they redefining philanthropy and what compels them to give consciously and consistently of their time, talent, energy, hope and dollars?
2. What do NPOs and foundations need to understand about their values, attitudes, opinions, habits and preferences in giving to earn their trust and serve them better?
3. How will NPOs need to transform themselves to remain viable by attracting the new generation givers and how can they nurture stronger habits of individual and business giving?

What questions are explored?

• How is the new generation of entrepreneurial givers re-defining philanthropy?
• What compels them to give or blocks their giving?
• What do we need to understand about their values, attitudes, opinions, habits, preferences?
• How may NPOs and foundations need to transform themselves to better serve?

How is this Inquiry different from other studies?

• It elicited input from 31 new generation of entrepreneurial givers and "could-be-givers"(50% from the technology sector) in 1 ¼ hour in-depth interviews probing their giving experiences and philosophies, and conducted "dialogue on giving" forum with 18 thought leader participants
• It listened carefully to "could-be-givers" (those financially qualified to give who had not yet chosen to give in substantial ways) to understand their motivators as well as their blocks to giving.
• It used a research approach based on "Appreciative Inquiry"-one which focused qualitatively on the substance, complexity and passions of individual givers and giving, and not just on the statistics.

Interviewees were asked about positive motivators and giving history in a way that fostered self-examination and increased personal clarity.

4. Focused more on passions than statistics.

Why might these Oregon philanthropy research findings be relevant elsewhere?" Oregon is one of five bellwether states - trends often start here. Fifty-percent of the thought-leaders interviewed for this Inquiry are from technology-based industries, the industry sector that is nationwide producing one of the largest concentrations of "could-be" givers.

How might the definition of philanthropy be re-framed? Comments by interviewees led to the composite definition of Entrepreneurial Philanthropy as"day-to-day conscious giving of time, talent, encouragement, and dollars, the mix of which changes as the giver's life situation changes. Giving is done in a way that enlivens both the giver and the receiver and has lasting positive impact on both." We invite you to read, digest, learn and decide what actions you might want to take to understand your own giver profile and that of the new generation of givers.

Key Findings

• Clarity in personal giving philosophy and strategy is crucial to start and sustain giving
• New entrepreneurial givers give like they run their business - fast, focused, accountable
• The relationship between NPOs/Foundations and these givers needs to be strengthened
• Developing mentoring programs will likely activate giving

Quotes Worth Hearing

"Don't let our candid feedback, insights and recommendations become another dust-covered report." - Interviewee

"As a high-tech entrepreneur, I find NPOs to be overly engaged in administration and bureaucracy at the expense of leadership and creating results." - Interviewee

"What's coming in the new philanthropy is demand for accountability . . . and they [NPOs] ain't going to like it." - Interviewee