COVID-19 Philanthropy: Measuring One Year of Giving

The COVID-19 global pandemic defined 2020, and it will continue to impact much of the world in the foreseeable future. How did grantmakers and donors respond as communities worldwide – especially Black, Indigenous and people of color as well as other populations that have been systemically marginalized and underserved – struggled amid the pandemic’s impact on livelihoods, health, education and more?

On March 3, 2021, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) and Candid released a report — Philanthropy and COVID-19 in 2020: Measuring One Year of Giving — examining a year of disaster giving to the worst pandemic in over 100 years. CDP hosted a webinar on Thursday, March 11, 2021 to share key findings from the report including how much funders gave, who they gave to and what issues they supported. Two philanthropic experts reflected on the report and shared what they have learned through their own work. The panel also addressed what funders should be doing as we move into year two of giving in this crisis.

CDP Director of Strategic Initiatives Sally Ray moderated the discussion and panelists included:

• Grace Sato, director of research, Candid
• Clare Woodcraft, executive director, Centre for Strategic Philanthropy, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
• David Maurrasse, Ph.D., founder & president, Marga Incorporated

This webinar was co-sponsored by the Council on Foundations, United Philanthropy Forum, The Funders Network, National VOAD, InterAction, National Center for Family Philanthropy and Grantmakers in Health.

Please see the slide deck and watch the webinar recording to learn more:

Photo: Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) distributes hygiene kits in the Beka’a Valley in Lebanon to assist refugees with personal protection and household sanitization. These items are critical for refugees whose livelihoods have been further challenged by the country’s ongoing economic crisis. (Source: SAMS)