Philanthropy Booms, But Giving for Social Justice Stays Flat

Foundations receiving tax-deductible contributions are booming, but a new report says little of the new money pouring in makes its way to those working on social justice issues. The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy report says between 2003 and 2013, which included the Great Recession, the assets of the country's grant-making foundations increased by more than $320 billion.

But report author Ryan Schlegel says little of that new money reached those who suffered the most during that same decade.

"While grant-making from the 1,000 largest foundations in the United States for underserved communities grew by a little bit, about 5 percentage points, grant-making for social justice philanthropy was stagnant," he points out.