Decreased Communication

Foundations are communicating less about their work, including giving priorities and processes, potentially hindering transparency and trust.

Themes

Authenticity and Transparency Reign Supreme , The Power of Community and Connection

Timeframe

near-term

Subcategories

Corporate Strategy Digital Literacy Journalism & News Risk Management

Impact areas

Accountability Stakeholder Relationships Transparency

Detailed Analysis

A decline in communication about philanthropic activities is observed among family foundations. The report indicates that "foundations communicate less than they did five years ago about giving priorities, grantmaking processes, feedback to grantees, and more." Specifically, fewer foundations are sharing information about their priorities and processes on their websites or other channels. This reduced transparency could negatively impact trust and collaboration between foundations, grantees, and the broader community. While there's an increase in soliciting feedback from grantees, the overall trend suggests a move towards less open communication.

Context Signals

Increased scrutiny of philanthropy and calls for greater transparency Growing use of technology for communication and information sharing Potential concerns about privacy and security among foundations

Edge

Foundations may need to embrace new communication strategies to build trust and demonstrate impact. Technology platforms could be leveraged to facilitate more open and efficient communication with stakeholders. This trend could lead to increased demand for data and information about philanthropic activities.

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