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 embark on this effort annually with Big Day of Giving, fostered it previously through The Lab Capacity Building Program, a program that supported diverse and emerging nonprofit leaders to achieve meaningful change, and are continuing that work with Cultivate, which nourishes connection and collaboration among leaders of color at local nonprofits.

Learn more about Cultivate

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

May 7, 2021
Record-breaking $13.3 million raised through Big Day of Giving

This year's giving day was an incredible display of generosity for local nonprofits.

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March 31, 2021
Learning Together

By Niva Flor, Chief Impact & Strategy Officer

The Lab's small learning cohorts give nonprofit leaders opportunities to tackle big problems.

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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.

Read More
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

Read More
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.

Read More