Podcast Summary: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast
Host: Dr. Rob Harter
Guest: Brian Crimmins, Co-Author of Generosity Crisis
Episode Title: Is There a Crisis in Social Impact Giving?
Date: September 15, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode confronts the question: Is the nonprofit sector facing a "generosity crisis"? Dr. Rob Harter interviews Brian Crimmins, co-author of Generosity Crisis, exploring the alarming decline in traditional charitable giving, its root causes, and innovative strategies nonprofits can deploy to adapt and thrive in a shifting landscape. The discussion blends sobering data with actionable hope, emphasizing the need for radical connection and sector-wide adaptation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Genesis of Generosity Crisis

[04:57]

• Brian Crimmins describes the collaboration that led to the book, stemming from his and Nathan Chappelle’s observations in philanthropy consulting and nonprofit leadership.
• The initial impetus came from noticing concerning trends beneath the surface of headline giving statistics: fewer households participating in traditional philanthropy.

Quote:
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing? Giving, you say, comes out every year. At the time, giving was still going up, but we were worried about what was happening underneath it to the percentage of households that were giving."
— Brian Crimmins [05:27]

2. Defining the Crisis: The Decline of Traditional Giving

[06:57], [10:27]

• The “generosity crisis” refers specifically to traditional philanthropy (writing checks, donating online).
• Data reveals a sharp drop: 68% of American households gave to nonprofits 15 years ago, now down to 48%.
• If this trend continues, traditional philanthropy could vanish within 49 years.

Quote:
"If it continues on the trajectory it's going on downward, traditional philanthropy would cease to exist in this country in 49 years."
— Brian Crimmins [07:33]

• Nonprofits now face "competition for connection" not just with each other but with companies leveraging cause marketing (e.g., "Buy our product, help the environment").

3. Research & The Role of Mega Donors

[12:39]

• Headline giving amounts remain high due to mega donors (e.g., MacKenzie Scott, Bill Gates).
• Without these top donors, overall giving would have dropped even more.
• "Crowding out effect": Large gifts can demotivate average donors—what’s the impact of $100 when billions are being donated at once?
• 2022 marked the first decline in giving in a non-recession year.

Quote:
"If the wrong five people didn't give... we actually would have dropped. So last year in 2022, giving dropped. It was the first time giving in this country ever dropped in a non recession year."
— Brian Crimmins [12:51]

4. The Rise of Crowdfunding & The Hyper-Personal Approach

[15:01], [16:00]

• Giving methods like GoFundMe are surging, reflecting a growing preference for direct, personal, one-to-one giving over institutional gifts.
• Crowdfunding gifts are not counted in official annual giving reports, creating a data blind spot.

Quote:
"If you don't realize...you have an unfortunate situation and you and I are friends. I'm giving money, Rob, right away. I don't have to go through a nonprofit in any way, shape or form. I've taken the nonprofit out of the equation."
— Brian Crimmins [16:13]

• Emphasis is shifting from transactional fundraising to personal, relational, or “radical connection.”

5. Radical Connection: The Way Forward

[16:00], [18:35]

• Radical connection is defined as a deep, two-way relationship—nonprofits and donors know each other genuinely.
• Old fundraising models based on affiliation or brand association are no longer enough; fundraising must focus on building authentic relationships.

Quote:
"We're inundated with information. We're inundated with ads... If I am not radically connected to an organization, I would go so far to say I'm basically not connected."
— Brian Crimmins [17:24]

• Scaling this approach requires data and AI-driven personalization, making it feasible for organizations of varying sizes.

6. The Role of Other Sectors: Government & Corporate Impact

[22:09], [22:53]

• Younger generations often believe the private sector is better equipped than nonprofits to solve social issues—a new challenge.
• Collaboration is the only way forward: Government, corporations, and nonprofits each have unique strengths in tackling society’s toughest problems.
• Governments remain the largest funders of nonprofits; corporations bring scale and data, while nonprofits deliver on-the-ground impact and passion.

Quote:
"The challenges we face are so big, are so complicated. No one sector can solve them alone."
— Brian Crimmins [23:22]

7. Strategic Advice for Nonprofits

[26:51]

• Nonprofits must provide context for their impact: connect their work to the broader issue (“We address 3 million of the 20 million affected,” for example).
• Articulate clearly the unique niche your organization fills, and how partnerships multiply impact.
• This approach helps all stakeholders, including sophisticated donors and potential collaborators, grasp the real difference being made.

8. Signs of Hope & Key Opportunities

[28:14], [30:02], [33:35]

• Despite the crisis in traditional giving, there are positive indicators:
  • Gen Z donors are still giving despite economic pressures.
  • 90% of donors are willing to repeat their gifts, especially if they feel a deep connection to the organization.
  • Loyal donors—radically connected—generate four times the impact of passive donors.
• The sector is uniquely positioned to rebuild trust and relationships, especially if nonprofits engage the next generation on their terms and leverage technology for personalization.
• The call: Lean into your most loyal supporters and acknowledge “not everyone’s your prospect.”

9. A Call for Organizational Change

[34:01], [35:33]

• Addressing the generosity crisis is not just a fundraising or development department challenge—it must be organizational.
• Boards and leadership need to recognize and prioritize this shift to radical connection mindset throughout the entire nonprofit.

Quote:
"It is no longer the challenge that the development and the fundraising teams are facing...It has to be an organizational issue. You have to have people in every aspect of the organization looking and striving for radical connections..."
— Brian Crimmins [34:05]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the speed of change:
  "Our philanthropic market collapsed. If I could be dramatic, our giving dropped."
  — Brian Crimmins [13:13]

• On optimism:
  “There's no better sector than the nonprofit sector to reverse this trend. And I mean that. That's why I wrote the book.”
  — Brian Crimmins [30:13]

• On the next generation:
  “I’m very bullish on the next generation being even more generous than our generation and it how they're doing it that the not for profit world needs to go meet them where they are.”
  — Brian Crimmins [32:55]

Resource Links & Further Engagement

• Book & Resources: generositycrisis.com (includes book club guides, materials on radical connection)
• Contact Brian Crimmins: LinkedIn: Brian Crimmins

Key Takeaways for Nonprofit Leaders

• The decline in traditional giving is real and urgent—data-driven, not anecdotal.
• Nonprofits must shift to “radical connection”—deep, meaningful, two-way relationships with donors.
• Collaboration with government and for-profit sectors magnifies impact.
• Loyal, deeply connected donors are the cornerstone of future sustainability.
• Addressing the giving crisis is an organization-wide responsibility; boards and leadership must lead this adaptation.

Recommended Listening

• For further insights or complementary discussions:
  Check out the previous episodes featuring Michelle Boggs (GoFundMe/Classy) on donor behavior [~15:01], and other conversations on collaborative impact.

This episode blends rigor and optimism, challenging nonprofit leaders to re-examine their development strategies and embrace a future rooted in authentic connection, data-driven action, and cross-sector partnership.