Grantmaking trends: the ultimate in and out list for 2024

The beginning of any new year is often jam-packed with resolutions and goals. But this year, resolutions have taken a new shape in the form of in-and-out lists.

A trend that has taken social media by storm, the in-and-out list is a more niche take on New Year resolutions: it’s a personalised list that outlines what will be trending or expected for the new year, and what will be left behind. 

While the social media trend can easily be shrugged off as just that — a trend meant for TikTokers and Instagrammers — an in-and-out list is perfectly suited for understanding the future of grantmaking in 2024, too.  

For funders who want to stay relevant, current (and yes, we mean hip, too), as well as up-to-date on the industry, an in-and-out list can act as a guiding set of principles or commitments for the year, which can help inform strategic decision-making. Plus, it’s like making New Year’s resolutions, but much more fun.

In this blog, we’ll go through our own in-and-out list for grantmakers — all based on trends in grantmaking for the upcoming year.

But first — what’s driving this in-and-out list?

Sure, an in-and-out list can come from personal preferences, interests, or whatever is in the current cultural zeitgeist at the moment. And, while they can be wonderfully cheeky and unserious, they can also be practical and enlightening. So while we certainly could have made our in-and-out list a bit more light-hearted, we decided to create our 2024 in-and-out list based on major grantmaking trends and changes that have emerged over the last few years in the nonprofit industry. 

For grantmakers across industries and initiatives — grantmakers in health, grantmakers in associations, and beyond — here are a few important trends that shaped this in-and-out list, and will shape 2024:

• Interest in trust-based philanthropy: In the last year, the nonprofit sector has leaned into trust-based philanthropy more than ever. That’s why in 2024, we‘ll see more trust, transparency and equitable grantmaking between funders and grantees.
• Rising costs: As inflation continues to rise, nonprofits are going to need support outside of traditional grantmaking, especially to help with operational costs (staff salaries and benefits, organisation rent, etc.).
• Introduction of new technology: The rise of AI and other software will force grantmakers to pick and choose the right tools for their grant management and ongoing communications with stakeholders
  
• Need for long-term strategic planning: While short-term goals and initiatives are certainly important, nonprofits are shifting their sights onto more long-term sustainability in order to handle the inevitable ebbs and flows of their work as well as the emerging needs of their communities.
  
• Commitment to crisis and resilience planning: Since the COVID-19 pandemic changed grantmaking altogether, nonprofits have focused on preparing for unseen circumstances — and in 2024, much will be the same.

Grantmaking trends and beyond

No matter the social initiative, 2024 is going to include more trust, transparency and equitable partnerships in the grantmaking world — plus new innovative ways for grantmakers to support grantees and their communities. From supporting capacity building and reimagining the grant reporting process to providing support beyond grantmaking dollars, the nonprofit sector will surely be changed — for good.