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

November 25, 2019
Leaning Into Leadership

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

Read More
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.

Read More
July 17, 2019
Big Day of Giving 2019 Report to the Community

We hope this look at Big Day of Giving 2019 illuminates the impact of the generosity that occurred on May 2 to the donors, community partners, and nonprofit staff and volunteers who made it possible.

Read More
May 3, 2019
Big Day of Giving 2019 raises record $8.4 million

This year's Big Day of Giving was another remarkable community-wide effort that raised nearly $8.4 million for hundreds of local nonprofits. 

Read More
April 15, 2019
Sacramento Region Nonprofits Readying for Big Day of Giving on May 2

Donors can schedule their gifts to 601 organizations that help make the capital area vibrant  

Read More