Foundation Center Releases 2011 Growth and Giving Estimates

In the context of an uneven economic recovery, U.S. foundation giving was nearly unchanged in 2010. The country’s more than 76,000 grantmaking foundations had estimated giving totaling $45.7 billion last year, almost matching giving in 2009.

The relative stabilization of foundation giving in 2010 reflected numerous factors. Among these were the beginning of a modest recovery in foundation assets in 2009; new gifts and bequests from donors into recently established and existing foundations; and the continuing commitment of some funders to maintaining their giving levels or minimizing reductions in their support, despite substantial losses in the value of their endowments. These positive trends helped to balance out lower levels of funding by the many foundations that felt the need to reduce giving in 2010.

Findings from the Foundation Center’s annual “Foundation Giving Forecast Survey” suggest that 2011 giving will grow between 2 and 4 percent. Looking ahead to 2012, grantmakers appear to be fairly optimistic about their prospects. On balance and assuming no unexpected economic strife, foundation giving should realize another modest year-over-year gain.