Philanos 2025 Survey Results

You Spoke! We Listened!

Philanos recently conducted our first affiliate survey since 2018, and we’d like to share with you some of what we’ve learned.

Our goal for the survey was to learn more about the groups who make up our network and how we can best serve you: Where are you succeeding? What challenges do you face? What types of resources do you find valuable in your work? How well is Philanos meeting your needs? And, what would you like to see from Philanos in the future?

We received responses from more than two-thirds of affiliates, ranging in size from 30-40 members to over 1,000. Seventy-seven percent of respondents identified as current or past giving circle leaders–presidents or chairs, board members, or committee leaders; 14% identified as committee members; 4% as members; and 5% as staff.

Successes and Challenges

Philanos affiliates devote enormous thought and energy to grantmaking, and it shows. More than 90% of respondents identified impactful grantmaking and support for local initiatives as a major strength, and slightly more than 70% cited positive reputation and community recognition. In addition, 60% expressed confidence in their organization’s strong financial management and transparency.

The top challenges facing affiliates lie on the membership side. Two-thirds of the sample identified attracting, engaging, and retaining committee members and organizational leaders as a major challenge. Attracting, retaining, and engaging members followed closely behind, and nearly half of respondents noted that advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization remains a challenge.

Collective Giving Resources

When it comes to finding support and inspiration for their work, respondents were most likely to rate as “very valuable”:

• webinars, podcasts, or workshops on philanthropy or community issues (52%); 
• conferences and other in-person gatherings (45%); and 
• materials created by other giving circles (39%).

Eighty-five percent reported that they use resources provided by Philanos. Other popular sources of support were:

•  community foundation or other host organizations (60%),

•  other giving circles (57%), and 

• research or advocacy organizations, such as BoardSource, the Women's Philanthropy Institute at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, or the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project (41%).

Philanos Resources

We’re delighted that 96% of respondents reported that they find Philanos resources very or somewhat valuable. Of the handful who did not, “I don’t know what resources are available,” was by far the most common reason. Among Philanos resources, webinars, conferences, and affinity groups were most likely to be rated “very valuable,” with A Table for Chairs, in particular, winning rave reviews. However, for almost every resource, a significant number of respondents reported that they were unfamiliar with it, suggesting that we have work to do. 

Adding Value

Finally, we asked: “As we look to the future, how do you think Philanos can best add value to your giving circle?” From the menu of options, respondents could pick up to five.

The overwhelming response was that affiliates want access to learning opportunities that directly support their work. The top choices were: 

• sharing best practices from across the network that can strengthen or enhance our programs and operations (88%); 
• providing expert content on collective giving and philanthropy (65%); and 
• facilitating informal peer learning and networking (52%). 

Significantly fewer numbers opted for broader roles, such as advocating for women’s collective giving and philanthropy in general.

Next Steps

We are still studying the survey data, as well as the many pages of thoughtful open-ended responses we received, but a few early directions have emerged.

First, we remain committed to providing top-notch content that helps leaders and emerging leaders with the heavy lift of running a giving circle. While we continue to welcome all members to participate in Philanos programs, we see our role primarily in terms of leadership development and support.

Second, we will continue to invest in building awareness and enhancing the impact of our programs. Over the coming months, we will be considering possible changes to our website and how we present and package content to make it more user-friendly and action-oriented.

Third, we will explore interest in content that meets varied needs. As the Philanos network has grown, we have welcomed groups with a wide range of missions, membership models, grantmaking strategies, and more. We believe the diversity of our affiliates is one of our greatest strengths, and we welcome the opportunity to deepen learning across the Philanos network.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who took the time to complete the affiliate survey and help us strengthen our work. If you have questions or feedback on this project, please reach out to us or to any member of the Philanos board.