Our motivation today is the same as it was five years ago: to truly understand the sector we have dedicated our lives and work to.
Though philanthropy is widely seen as a defining strength of Sioux Falls, two-thirds of participants in the Reprise are concerned about philanthropy’s future. Donors cite generational shifts in giving habits and capacity, as well as rising nonprofit demands, as growing threats. And we also see evidence of this mounting pressure in our work.
This is not meant to be an alarmist message. It is simply a data-driven, up-close view of what has been made possible and what could be in jeopardy if not properly nurtured and safeguarded.
We hope this report will invite the community to openly discuss the threats and think through ways to maintain the strength of philanthropy. To sustain what makes Sioux Falls the community it is, it cannot be business as usual for philanthropy. The findings urge Sioux Falls to shift the community’s philanthropic mindset and make philanthropy more of a commonly held goal throughout the community. Participants emphasized the need to inspire and equip emerging leaders while expanding engagement to include newcomers, younger residents, and underrepresented groups. They also called for continued investment in public-private partnerships and creative strategies to reduce reliance on traditional fundraising models to maintain the city’s philanthropic competitive advantage.
MaxEx is at the intersection of philanthropy and impact. We understand so well how the two are intertwined in this community. And it is easy to see how special and important philanthropy is from our seat in the community.