Expert tells Funding Review Advisory Committee philanthropy remains resilient; urges streamlined public grants and capacity building

Laura McDonald, founder and principal of Benefactor Group, told the Funding Review Advisory Committee at a meeting that charitable giving in the United States has been “remarkably resilient” but that local nonprofits will feel pressure from recent tax law changes and shifts in corporate giving.

McDonald, who has worked in fundraising and philanthropy for four decades and served as board chair of the Giving USA Foundation, outlined ways public dollars and private philanthropy can be coordinated to increase impact. "The process of accessing and deploying resources can be made more efficient," she said, recommending simpler grant processes, faster disbursement and fewer strings for frontline human-service providers.

Why it matters: Committee members said the region is growing quickly and that nonprofit capacity, funder coordination and donor behavior will shape whether philanthropic resources keep pace with demand. McDonald warned philanthropy alone cannot bridge cuts in federal funding and recommended local steps that could multiply private giving when paired with public incentives.

Key points from McDonald’s presentation

- Scale and sources: McDonald cited national figures, saying individuals accounted for roughly two-thirds of the $590 billion given to nonprofit organizations in the most recent year and that individuals drive about…