Philanthropy Insights

Our Insights

Our thought leadership resources are designed to inform, inspire, and empower philanthropists at every stage of their giving journey. Drawing on research, real-world experiences, and emerging trends, they offer practical insights to help donors maximize their impact and nonprofit organizations build their capacity and financial resiliency. The collection highlights best practices and leading trends in charitable giving, family engagement, and strategic philanthropy while showcasing trends in corporate philanthropy, nonprofit board service, and planned giving. Whether you are seeking new ideas, building organizational capacity, or refining your philanthropic strategy, these thought leadership pieces provide valuable guidance to inspire meaningful and effective charitable giving.

Thursday, July 30, 2026

How Women Are Shaping the Future of Philanthropy

As women’s influence over wealth grows, so does their impact on philanthropy—bringing a more intentional, values-driven approach to giving across generations.
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Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Women’s Philanthropy in Action

Laura Coy, partner, head of philanthropy and sustainability, shares how women, poised to hold a greater share of wealth in the years ahead, are driving trends in philanthropy.
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Saturday, February 14, 2026

Laura Coy Discusses How Venture Philanthropy is Transforming Charitable Giving with Barron's

Laura Coy, William Blair's head of philanthropy and sustainability, was quoted in a Barron's article that focused on how venture philanthropy can make a lasting impacting for causes and investors alike.
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Friday, January 30, 2026

Thinking Strategically About Charitable Giving

Using charitable giving strategies to enhance the tax-efficiency of your donations plays a vital role in maximizing the impact of your gifts.
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Thursday, December 11, 2025

High-Performing Nonprofit Boards Driving Sustainability and Success

From rising program costs and greater demand for services to uncertainty of revenue resulting from federal funding cuts, the fiduciary and strategic role of a nonprofit board is mission-critical for the sustainability and success of an organization.
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Thursday, December 11, 2025

Inspiring Philanthropy Across Generations

Conversations with the next generation about philanthropy shouldn’t be a one-way street. It’s important to encourage your children and grandchildren to ask questions, get involved, and express their own ideas about what philanthropy means to them.
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Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Developing Pathways to Planned Giving and High-Impact Philanthropy

Using charitable giving strategies to enhance the tax-efficiency of your donations plays a vital role in maximizing the impact of your gifts.
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Friday, August 29, 2025

Gifting Appreciated Securities to a Donor-Advised Fund Program

This charitable vehicle provides a simplified approach that allows you to maximize your charitable donations and tax benefits—an approach that can transform the way you give.
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Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Corporate Giving: Key Trends and Insights

Several key trends are shaping the landscape of corporate giving, providing insights for nonprofit organizations to leverage when cultivating partnerships and opportunities to engage with employees and activate corporate philanthropy.
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Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Themes and Trends on the Rise in Philanthropy

Philanthropists continue to demonstrate incredible creativity and generosity, even during disruptive times. Head of Philanthropy Strategy Laura Coy outlines four key trends that we’re seeing, and which give us an optimistic outlook on the state of charitable giving.
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Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Activate Your Charitable Giving: The Current State and Opportunity for Philanthropy in the U.S.

Technology, always-on media, and a massive “wealth transfer” windfall of trillions of dollars make the current state of philanthropy more prolific than, especially among today’s younger generations.
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Thursday, June 1, 2023

William Blair and National Center for Family Philanthropy Partner for Talk on Today’s Trends in Charitable Giving

William Blair and the National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP) partnered to host a meaningful conversation on today’s trends in philanthropy with family foundations from the Denver community, exploring how they can make the greatest impact in a world that is rapidly changing.
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