Donors Forum has conducted an annual economic outlook survey of its grantmaking Members and nonprofit Partners since 2002, and in the upcoming weeks we will launch the 2013 Economic Outlook Survey, designed to gauge the impact of current economic trends on grantmaking plans and strategies as well as nonprofit operating capacities. In an effort to better capture and forecast the financial climate of all Donors Forum’s members, this year’s survey will ask participants for actual year-end 2012 financial information, instead of year-end fiscal estimates as requested in past surveys.

The 2013 Economic Outlook Survey will be emailed to Donors Forum's grantmaking Members and nonprofit Partners in mid-March. If you are the main representative to Donors Forum for your organization, please complete and submit the brief survey emailed to you. To show our appreciation, participants will be entered into a random drawing for the chance to win one of three $50 Amazon gift cards.

We encourage all Members and Partners to participate, as the survey data will be used by funders and nonprofits alike to benchmark and to inform strategy and operations. Donors Forum will also use the report to help policymakers, the media, private sector leaders, donors, and the general public understand the demands on nonprofits and grantmakers, and the importance of supporting these organizations and creating an environment that allows them to fulfill their missions efficiently and effectively. Dissemination of Donors Forum’s 2013 Economic Outlook Report is scheduled for late Spring 2013.

Please watch for your email invitation to participate in the 2013 Economic Outlook Survey. Your participation is very important to the success of this survey.  If you have any questions on the survey, please contact Carol Carter, Allstate Foundation Philanthropy Fellow, at [email protected]; or Robin Berkson, Senior Vice President, at [email protected].

Read or download the most recent Economic Outlook Report here.  

~Carol Carter, Allstate Foundation Philanthropy Fellow