Giving USA 2026

The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the year 2025

Wednesday, June 24; 8:30am - 11am PDT (In-Person)

8:30am - 9am: Networking

9am - 11am: Program

Join us for the unveiling of the 2025 Giving USA Annual Report on Philanthropy, an exclusive report, which features the leading issues and trends in philanthropy. Now in it's 66th year, Giving USA is the longest consecutively published, comprehensive report on annual charitable giving in our country. This Breakfast Series presentation will examine giving by source, recipient and sector.

Join us as Richard Tollefson, President of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, breaks down the numbers and discusses how the data can inform the best strategies to enhance fundraising performance.

Following the report presentation, a panel of nonprofit leaders will take a deeper dive into the information, exploring trends and how to apply the data to your organization.

Giving USA can help your organization:

• Benchmark fundraising performance against national data;
• Plan for the future, based on long-term trends in giving;
• Educate new staff members and board members in the broad context of philanthropic giving, so that they may have a better understanding of the organization's funding patterns;
• Include up-to-date information about philanthropy overall and by sub-sector in speeches, publications, press releases, and internal communications; and
• Learn about and access recent studies and other resources that can help strengthen your fundraising, grant making, or other philanthropic activity.

Panelists:

Amber Wynn, MSPA

With over 30 years of nonprofit experience, including program development, strategic planning, fiscal management, nonprofit management, board development, capacity building, grant writing & fund development, (largest award totaling $3.2 million), Amber utilizes her vast array of experiences from private, government, nonprofit and academia to deliver an innovative and comprehensive approach to her roles. Amber has served in numerous positions including Program Administrator for Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ Community Build, Inc., a sustainable community revitalization and economic development organization; as Grant Writer and Media Outreach Director, for UC Cooperative Extension in Los Angeles; as Executive Director, for Girls Inc. of Los Angeles; as the Philanthropic Development Manager for DaVita, Inc. an international Fortune 200 healthcare company; the Associate Director for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a grant making nonprofit where she awarded over $7 million annually to top pancreas researchers in the nation; in her current title, Philanthrepreneur, and owner of a boutique nonprofit consulting firm, she helps nonprofit founders fund their nonprofit organizations for long-term impact and sustainability. Amber received her undergraduate degree in English from Loyola Marymount University, a technical writing certificate from CSU Dominguez Hills, and a Master of Science degree in Public Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. She served as an adjunct professor at CSU Dominguez Hills’ Grant Writing Certificate program and Antioch University’s Masters in Nonprofit Management program.

Amy Eriksen, Angels Gate Cultural Center

Amy Eriksen has had a long career in arts education and passion for bringing the arts to all ages and groups. She has worked in the non-profit and education sectors for over 25 years and loves how arts and education convene at Angels Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro, where she serves as Executive Director. Amy is dedicated to community and collaboration; she spends much of her free time on community task forces and is the Past Chair of the Long Beach Human Relations Commission. Amy holds a BA in Music Education from the University of Redlands. In addition, she holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Management.  Her arts career has taken her to the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, the Music Center in Los Angeles, and many years at Idyllwild Arts.

LaVal Brewer, President & CEO at South County Outreach

LaVal is a proven nonprofit executive experienced in operations and revenue development. He is focused on helping nonprofits and religious organizations engage and involve participants of their local community. LaVal’s understanding of nonprofit operations, program and revenue development, fundraising, volunteer development and community engagement help make him a natural connector and relationship builder.

Presenter:

Richard Tollefson established The Phoenix Philanthropy Group with nearly 20 years of fundraising and advancement management experience, and now has more than three decades of successfully helping strengthen nonprofit and other organizations.

Prior to starting The Phoenix Philanthropy Group in late 2004, he served as the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at his alma mater, Thunderbird School of Global Management, the world's leading international business school. At Thunderbird, he managed two comprehensive fundraising campaigns, raising funds and managing constituent engagement programs in 26 countries, and secured the largest-ever naming gift to a college or business school in the world at the time.

Richard has worked with other acclaimed institutions, such as the Master Chorale of Orange County; The Joffrey Ballet; the University of Arizona; and Arizona State University, serving as a part of the leadership team of a $600 million campaign, and building comprehensive and sophisticated fundraising operations and innovative constituent relationship programs from the ground up.

Sponsored by:

Cancellation policy: We require notice of cancellation at least 48 hours in advance of the class start time. No refunds will be provided for no-shows or late cancellations. LACDAC and First 5 Region Four grantees who register and do not attend will be invoiced for the full cost of the course. All registrants are encouraged to send an alternate if they are unable to attend a class or event.

By registering: The ticket purchaser will receive a confirmation email from This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please add This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to your safe senders list or address book to avoid emails from being sent to your SPAM or Junk folders. Thank you!

All registrants will be subscribed to our email list and will receive weekly updates about TNP events, services, and other announcements. You can opt out at any time. You also give TNP permission to use your image for communications and waive any rights for compensation.

For more information: Please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 562-888-6530 .