Local and national nonprofit leaders predict the new year will see more large donations of the kind that were in the spotlight in 2006, more political interest in their sector from elected officials and greater cooperation with and among nonprofits.
“Warren Buffet’s gift to the Gates Foundation was clearly the story of the year,” said Julie Rogers, president of the Meyer Foundation.
She deemed Buffett’s decision to turn over distribution of the funds to fellow entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates “compelling.”
“That’s creating a seismic shift in the way people are thinking about philanthropy,” said Rogers.
“We will see more big gifts, and an overall dramatic growth of the sector,” agreed Steve Gunderson, president and chief executive officer of the D.C.-based Council on Foundations.
Gunderson, a former member of the House of Representatives, said philanthropy had become a major center of news and interest during 2006.
“We [the council] have seen a 30 to 40 percent increase in media calls,” Gunderson said.
He predicted the expanded interest will include a sharpened focus by regulators at both the state and federal level. But Gunderson predicted that more federal interest in the sector wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing for nonprofits.
“One common theme will be, as far as Congress, is that they will work with us to partner and grow philanthropy in their committees,” Gunderson said.
“Going into 2007, I am probably more hopeful than ever for our region’s nonprofit sector,” said Chuck Bean, of the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington. Local elected officials are beginning to understand the importance of having nonprofit leaders “at the table,” he said.
“For example, the Fenty and Leggett transition teams are involving nonprofit leaders in their transitions,” Bean said. “I see nonprofit leaders coming out of their ‘issue silos’ and working more closely together than ever — for example, initiatives in Montgomery County and Ward 7 to pull coalitions together.”
Have information about area nonprofits? Contact Frank Sietzen at [email protected].
