Sarah Ford | December 16, 2013

How Big Data Will Change the Face of Philanthropy

By Lucy Bernholz

How Big Data Will Change the Face of Philanthropy“It is more difficult to give money away intelligently than to earn it in the first place,” observed one of the great philanthropists of the 20th century, Andrew Carnegie.

Today, with almost two million nonprofits in the U.S., the challenge of knowing which to support and which to avoid is more challenging than ever. How can individuals and foundations put their money where it’s most needed, and in ways that will be most effective? And how can charities themselves spend the dollars they receive in ways that best fulfill their missions?

Big data may hold some answers.

Just as the ability to access and analyze mountains of new information is transforming corporations, the era of big data has the potential to revolutionize the world of philanthropy—for both donors and charities. More, better and faster information can help donors channel dollars to the organizations that are most effective. It can help nonprofits identify the strategies that work best at fulfilling their missions. And it can guide philanthropies to the fundraising tactics that are most successful.

>> CONTINUE READING

Source: The Wall Street Journal

 

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Explore More Articles

Emergency Assistance Fund Compliance: How to Stay IRS-Compliant While Maximizing Employee Impact

June 17, 2026

Why Emergency Assistance Funds Matter More Than Ever Financial insecurity remains a critical challenge for today’s workforce. Approximately 37% of Americans cannot afford an unexpected…

Open Position – Director of Marketing

June 16, 2026

Position: Director of Marketing  Department: Business Development  Reporting Structure: VP, Business Development   Exemption Status: Exempt  Location: Remote  Overview of the Role:  Reporting to, and partnering with, the VP,…

Celebrating Juneteenth and Continuing to Work in Solidarity for Racial Justice, Equality, and Equity

June 9, 2026

June 19 — also known as Juneteenth, or the nation’s second Independence Day — commemorates the end of slavery in Texas, and therefore the nation,…

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Receive our monthly/bi-monthly newsletter filled with information about causes, nonprofit impact, and topics important for corporate social responsibility and employee engagement professionals, including disaster response, workplace giving, matching gifts, employee assistance funds, volunteering, scholarship award program management, grantmaking, and other philanthropic initiatives.

newsletter-mock