A rising stock market and new billionaire class more focused on charitable giving promises to make 2018 an interesting year for philanthropy, according to Inside Philanthropy.
Here are 11 predictions on what this year may bring for charitable giving.
1. A billionaire will take on the opioid crisis. More than 1,000 Americans die every week from opioid overdoses, and though the epidemic has been receiving more public attention, no philanthropist has championed the cause so far. That will change in 2018.
2. Corporate philanthropy will become more strategic. In recent years, companies have begun to be more discerning with their donations, keen to maximize impact. This trend will continue in 2018.
3. STEM grants will slow down. One of the biggest philanthropic trends of recent years has been donations toward science, technology, engineering and math education, a surge that cannot last much longer.
4. Alumni giving will continue to fall. Wealthy alumni have been giving more to schools and universities, but donations among the rest of the population have fallen and will continue to do so in 2018.
5. A campus gift will set a new record. Organizations gave several record gifts to universities in 2017, and 2018 could be the year a university sees the first-ever $1 billion donation.
6. The #MeToo movement will make its impact on the philanthropic world. The movement targeting sexual harassment and assault was one of the biggest stories of 2017, and charitable giving this year will reflect its importance.
7. Refugees will get more attention. The MacArthur Foundation donated $100 million to the refugee cause in 2017, which will probably shine a light on the issue this year and encourage more donations.
8. Bill and Melinda Gates will surprise the philanthropic world. The Gates' have been relatively predictable with their generous giving in recent years, but this could be the year they surprise the community with an unexpected donation.
9. Jeff and Mackenzie Bezos will make a big move. Mr. Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO, recently became the richest man in the world, and 2018 could be when he makes a dramatic entrance into the philanthropic field.
10. Racial justice donations will slow down. Donations in this field jumped in the wake of the Michael Brown shooting in 2014, but 2018 could finally see that trend slow down.
11. Anti-Trump donations will increase. One year into Donald Trump's presidency, philanthropists who oppose his policies will mobilize.