The Yunker Group - Helping Others Make a Difference
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Helping Others<br>Make A Difference

The Yunker Group

Helping Others
Make A Difference

C-Level Executive Search

Helping Others<br>Make A Difference

The Yunker Group

Helping Others
Make A Difference

Friendraising and Fundraising Counsel

Helping Others<br>Make A Difference

The Yunker Group

Helping Others
Make A Difference

Strategic Planning

HELPING OTHERS<br>MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The Yunker Group

HELPING OTHERS
MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Leadership Development

                                    

 

Giving USA 2018: Americans gave $410.02 billion to charity in 2017, crossing the $400 billion mark for the first time

 

Stock market, economic conditions helped drive solid growth in contributions across the board

 

CHICAGO [June 12, 2018]— Powered by a booming stock market and a strong economy, charitable giving by American individuals, bequests, foundations and corporations to U.S. charities surged to an estimated $410.02 billion in 2017, according to Giving USA 2018: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2017, released today.

 

Giving exceeded $400 billion in a single year for the first time, increasing 5.2 percent (3.0 percent adjusted for inflation) over the revised total of $389.64 contributed in 2016. (Please see below for a more detailed breakdown of the numbers for each philanthropic source and sector.)

 

Giving USA, the longest-running and most comprehensive report of its kind in America, is published by Giving USA Foundation, a public service initiative of The Giving Institute. It is researched and written by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI.

 

“Americans’ record-breaking charitable giving in 2017 demonstrates that even in divisive times our commitment to philanthropy is solid. As people have more resources available, they are choosing to use them to make a difference, pushing giving over $400 billion,” said Aggie Sweeney, CFRE, chair of Giving USA Foundation. “Contributions went up nearly across the board, signaling that Americans seem to be giving according to their beliefs and interests, which are diverse and wide-ranging.”

 

Giving from all four sources and giving to all but one of the major types of recipient organizations grew in 2017, driven by economic conditions. While policy developments may have played some role in charitable giving in 2017, most of the effects of the tax policy changes adopted in late December 2017 likely will affect giving in 2018 and beyond.

 

“The increase in giving in 2017 was generated in part by increases in the stock market, as evidenced by the nearly 20 percent growth in the S&P 500. Investment returns funded multiple very large gifts, most of which were given by individuals to their foundations, including two gifts of $1 billion or more,” said Amir Pasic, Ph.D., the Eugene R. Tempel dean of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. “This tells us that some of our most fortunate citizens are using their wealth to make some significant contributions to the common good.”

 

In addition to the S&P 500, other economic factors, such as personal income and personal consumption, are associated with households’ long-term financial stability and have historically been correlated with giving by individuals. These factors also experienced strong growth in 2017.

 

Highlights about Charitable Giving by Source

 

  • Giving by three of the four sources of giving grew 5 percent or more.
  • Giving by individuals represented 70 percent of total giving.
  • Giving by foundations has seen strong growth for the past seven years, according to data provided by the Foundation Center. Its five-year annualized average growth rate of 7.6 percent far exceeds the 4.3 percent annualized average growth rate for total giving.
  • Corporate giving was boosted by $405 million in contributions for relief related to natural and manmade disasters.

 

“Donors and funders are becoming ever more sophisticated in their approaches to making gifts as they draw on the increasing availability of new data, new technology and new ideas,” said Rachel Hutchisson, chair of The Giving Institute. “We are seeing innovations across the philanthropic sector that are contributing to strong growth in giving, which benefits everyone.”

 

The Numbers for 2017 Charitable Giving by Source:

 

  • Giving by individuals totaled an estimated $286.65 billion, rising 5.2 percent in 2017 (an increase of 3.0 percent, adjusted for inflation).

 

  • Giving by foundations increased 6.0 percent, to an estimated $66.90 billion in 2017 (an increase of 3.8 percent, adjusted for inflation). Data on foundation giving are provided by the Foundation Center.

 

  • Giving by bequest totaled an estimated $35.70 billion in 2017, increasing 2.3 percent from 2016 (a 0.2 percent increase, adjusted for inflation).

 

  • Giving by corporations is estimated to have increased by 8.0 percent in 2017, totaling $20.77 billion (an increase of 5.7 percent, adjusted for inflation).

 

“Giving to nearly all categories of charities experienced significant growth, and giving to foundations achieved a double-digit growth rate,” said Una Osili, Ph.D., associate dean for research and international programs at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. “Economic growth contributed to these widespread increases in 2017, and there is heightened interest in the overall economic environment and other factors that can help nonprofits sustain this growth over time.”

 

Highlights about 2017 Gifts to Charitable Organizations

 

Charitable subsectors receiving contributions generally experienced strong growth.

 

  • Giving to foundations saw the largest growth in charitable contributions, increasing 15.5 percent, based on data provided by the Foundation Center. This growth was driven by extraordinarily large gifts by major philanthropists, such as Michael and Susan Dell and Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, to their foundations.
  • Giving to eight of the nine major types of recipient organizations increased in 2017.
  • The exception was giving to international affairs organizations, which declined after several years of steady growth. However, giving to this subsector still reached its third-highest level ever recorded.
  • Seven of the nine types of recipient organizations experienced growth of 5 percent or more.

 

“The broad growth in giving to virtually all charitable subsectors suggests that charities are connecting effectively with their donors and demonstrating their impact and case for support,” said Patrick M. Rooney, Ph.D., executive associate dean for academic affairs at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. “While it is too soon to know with certainty how recent policy changes may influence when and how much donors give, what is certain is that cultivating and nurturing strong, ongoing relationships with donors will only become more important as the changes to federal tax policy made at the end of 2017 take effect.”

 

The Numbers for 2017 Charitable Giving to Recipients:

 

  • Giving to religion increased 2.9 percent (0.7 percent adjusted for inflation), receiving an estimated $127.37 billion in contributions.

 

  • Giving to education is estimated to have increased 6.2 percent (4.0 percent adjusted for inflation) to $58.90 billion.

 

  • Giving to human services increased by an estimated 5.1 percent (2.9 percent adjusted for inflation) totaling $50.06 billion.

 

  • Giving to foundations is estimated to have increased by 15.5 percent (13.1 percent adjusted for inflation) to $45.89 billion, based on data provided by the Foundation Center.

 

  • Giving to health organizations is estimated to have increased by 7.3 percent (5.1 percent adjusted for inflation) to $38.27 billion.

 

  • Giving to public-society benefit organizations increased an estimated 7.8 percent (5.5 percent adjusted for inflation) to $29.59 billion.

 

  • Giving to arts, culture, and humanities is estimated to have increased 8.7 percent (6.5 percent) to $19.51 billion.

 

  • Giving to international affairs is estimated to have declined 4.4 percent (6.4 percent adjusted for inflation) to $22.97 billion.

 

  • Giving to environment and animal organizations is estimated to have increased 7.2 percent (5.0 percent adjusted for inflation) to $11.83 billion.

 

In addition, giving to individuals, which is less than 2 percent of total giving, is estimated to have declined 20.7 percent (22.4 percent in inflation-adjusted dollars) in 2017, to $7.87 billion, primarily as a result of an unusually high increase in 2016. The bulk of these donations are in-kind gifts of medications to patients in need, made through the patient assistance programs of pharmaceutical companies’ operating foundations.

 

Unallocated giving was negative $2.24 billion in 2017. This amount can be considered the difference between giving by source and use in a particular year. It includes the difference between itemized deductions by individuals (and households) carried over from previous years. The tax year in which a gift is claimed by the donor (carried over) and the year when the recipient organization reports it as revenue (the year in which it is received) may be different.

Who We Are

Founded as Smith Beers Yunker & Company in 1995 on the principle Helping Others Make a Difference®, The Yunker Group offers guidance to volunteer leaders to help them govern more passionately, choose C-level executives more strategically, and steward funds more effectively. Team members provide behind-the-scenes coaching and advice to nonprofit staff, helping them make a greater difference in their vital roles.

 

We believe remaining behind the scenes is imperative in providing nonprofit executive search and fundraising counsel. We never seek recognition or take credit for the successes of those who devote their lives to making a difference in their communities. Whether assisting seniors, educating children, caring for the poor or disabled, sustaining the arts, protecting the environment, or any other worthy endeavor, it is their work we strive to further and their reputations we seek to enhance. We are proud to be associated with and eager to be of service to all who are involved in the noble work supported by philanthropy.

What We Do

We Help
C-LEVEL EXECUTIVE SEARCH

Organizations turn to us to help develop CEO succession plan and guide comprehensive CEO and CDO searches.

We Provide
FRIENDRAISING AND FUNDRAISING COUNSEL

Our seasoned Group provides pre-campaign planning and capital and endowment campaign counsel.

We Facilitate
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Our experienced Group coaches boards on strategic leadership issues, facilitates retreats, and assists in scouting new talent.

We Guide
STRATEGIC PLANNING

Nonprofit leaders look to the Group’s expertise in guiding participatory planning exercise resulting in practical and actionable recommendations.

We Coach
VOLUNTEER COACHING

As experienced volunteers ourselves, our Group helps volunteer leaders build confidence in carrying out leadership duties including raising funds.

We Deliver
WRITING AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

No Case. No Cash. Our Group’s professional writers help tell your compelling stories and work with designers to promote your organization.

Who We Serve

We take seriously our mission Helping Others Make A Difference®.  Check us out with organizations we have helped in a variety of ways and learn we’ve developed a reputation for telling leaders what they need to hear, not necessarily what they want to hear. We like Teddy Roosevelt’s admonition, “People Don’t Care What You Know Until They Know How Much You Care.”  You will learn we care!

  • “What I would share the most with others is what you see with The Yunker Group is what you receive. Their process and delivery were very consistent with what they described upfront during initial conversations.”

    - Mike Dunn, Society of St. Vincent de Paul

  • "They were so reliable and provided a much-needed sounding board for when things weren't going absolutely perfect. They were great at helping us work through any challenges that arose and always helped us get back on course."

    - Danielle Gentry-Barth, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative

  • With The Yunker Group, you get a very finely tuned - very thorough, very carefully orchestrated - process that helps to ensure the very best match."

    - Sara Strattan, Community Legal Aid

  • "As a candidate I felt the process allowed me to show the search committee who I am in a full 3-dimensional way. The tools and methods The Yunker Group uses ensured that the committee members knew not only my technical skills and experience but also the type of leadership I would bring to the job. I have no doubt that this is what created a great match for both the organization and for me!"

    - Vanessa Freytag, CEO 4C for Children

  • “They jumped right in and got to know our community and the key players in it. They not only brought back insightful and useful information from prospective donors, but also helped us work through some internal challenges that were not directly related to the fund drive. Their knowledge and experience with other governing boards was quite valuable.”

    - CEO Deierdre Weir, Legal Assistance & Defender Association, Detroit

  • "As chair of the search committee tasked with selecting a new executive director, I turned to The Yunker Group for help in making the most important decision our organization had made in almost three decades. Having come out the other side, it is apparent that we would not have succeeded but for Jim Yunker's savvy leadership and guidance. His role was indispensable.”

    - Benjamin G. Dusing, Esq., Managing Partner, BGD Law

  • "Their assignment was to identify, qualify and assist in the interviewing and hiring process for a Legacy Development Officer. They were very thorough and professional throughout the process utilizing several effective methodologies to highlight strengths and weaknesses of the candidates and then working closely with us during the interview process to make certain the key questions were answered and assessment was made."

    - Jim Friedman, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

  • “The Yunker Group served as a true partner in understanding our needs, guiding the selection process, and providing an outstanding candidate experience.”

    - Kim Chiodi, member 4C for Children search committee and Senior Vice President, Human Resources of Western & Southern

  • "Jim’s extensive knowledge of non-profit organizations, coupled with his warm personality and keen sense of humor, made the process a wonderful experience for me as a potential candidate. I could not be happier in my new role and I have The Yunker Group to thank for helping make the perfect match.”

    - Joy Blang, Executive Director of Philanthropy, Episcopal Retirement Homes

  • "We quickly learned that we could not have gone through the hiring process as effectively, efficiently and professionally without the work and counsel of The Yunker Group.”

    - Michael Mann, chair of the LSDMC of the School for Creative and Performing Arts

  • “They were able to get our constituents to disclose their feelings with incredible candor. I believe the ability to evoke confidential information reflects on their very professional interviewing skills and their personal integrity.”

    - John P. Williams, Community Volunteer

  • "If you're going to be effective in this business, you need to know what people are trying to do - and Jim Yunker understands that. He also has a wealth of experience and expertise that he can draw from, and that's essential. Jim also respects confidentiality. When you have a conversation with him, you can trust that information won't go any further, and that's important."

    - Lee Ault Carter

  • “During the pre-campaign planning phase, The Yunker Group gave us an honest assessment of our project’s potential for success and, in fact, recommended we shelve a few of our projects. This direction was based on experience and knowledge of the community which was very helpful.”

    - Suzy Dorward, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati

  • “After interviewing a few other consultants, we believed that The Yunker Group offered the most balanced, reasonable approach to the strategic planning.”

    - Jim Hudson, Executive Director, Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati

  • Childrens Home
  • 4C for Children
  • Community Legal Aid
  • Taft Museum of Art
  • iSPACE
  • LADA