This post was originally published here (Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy)
Workplace giving has been one of the most distinctive elements of Americans’ tradition of small-scale charitable giving. But mounting anecdotal evidence shows that workplace giving is decreasing, likely because of changes in the nature of the workplace and in the economy more generally. This report examines the community origins of workplace giving, the evolution of workplace giving throughout the 20th century, the changing nature of work, technological innovations in the philanthropic sector, and the future of workplace giving. This analysis shows why an updated workplace giving model must be more inclusive than previous efforts and must adapt to broader changes in the employment landscape.
