Expanding Philanthropy and the Social Economy

Leading to a More Generous Region

This initiative is at the heart of our mission. The pace of change in philanthropy is both rapid and profound — from our region's dynamic demographics and the rise of the next generation of philanthropists, to the continuing transfer of enormous wealth to heirs and the advent of new technologies for giving.

We respond to these trends by working in partnership with our fundholders and community partners to create a better future for all. We nimbly stay abreast of new ways of giving, as demonstrated on Big Day of Giving, which has been transformational for our region. Innovations like GivingEdge — our nonprofit database which makes Big Day of Giving possible — and other programs like Grants Advisory Board for Youth and the Philanthropic Advisors' Forum of Greater Sacramento are making philanthropy more accessible by attracting new people to charitable giving and offering the opportunity to have greater impact by giving together.

A handful of Big Day of Giving nonprofit participants

Big Days of Giving, part of our philanthropy initiative, has raised $91 million for nonprofits in the Sacramento region since 2013.

Learn more about this dynamic event

This work occurs at the intersection of the Sacramento region's private, public, and philanthropic sectors. Our partnerships in all three sectors help us to make significant change together and grow support for local nonprofits. We know a strong nonprofit sector leads to a strong community, and we believe that — despite initially lagging national averages for both the percent of area households that give to nonprofits and the average amount given locally per household — giving to local organizations has been climbing in the Sacramento region, thanks in part to our focus in this area and the generosity of our community.

Learn more about Big Day of Giving

DONATE TO SUPPORT THIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

Complementing our effort to grow philanthropic giving, we continue to develop our work in this arena through programs that aim to build the capacity of the local nonprofit sector. We embarked on this effort with Big Day of Giving, and have continued to foster it through micro-grants and The Lab Capacity Building Program, which fosters a thriving nonprofit sector by supporting diverse and emerging nonprofit leaders to achieve meaningful change. 

Learn more about The Lab

Attendees at a Big Day of Giving training for nonprofit participants

Our Big Day of Giving trainings encourage local nonprofits to network while they develop their marketing and board engagement skills.

 

Related Resources

July 20, 2020
Big Day of Giving 2020 Report to the Community

We hope this look at Big Day of Giving 2020 illuminates the impact of the generosity that occurred on May 7 to the donors, community partners, and nonprofit staff and volunteers who made it possible.

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May 8, 2020
Record-breaking $12 million raised through Big Day of Giving

Incredible display of generosity for local nonprofits demonstrated by donors in the Sacramento region

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December 5, 2019
Pass On Philanthropic Traditions

By Chelsea Fahr, Director of Donor Engagement

Wondering how you can help foster philanthropic values in the lives of young people you love? Our fundholder services team has a few tips to share.

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November 25, 2019
Leaning Into Leadership

To ensure a strong nonprofit sector for our future, we must develop strong nonprofit leaders today

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November 25, 2019
The Power of Open Funding

By Kerry Wood, CFRE, Chief Marketing & Donor Engagement Officer

Our Chief Marketing & Donor Engagement Officer writes that unrestricted grants sustain nonprofit health.

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