Taylor Swift Could Reshape Philanthropy. Will She?

"No amount of positive press from food kitchen donations or staff raises can address the criticism increasingly being lobbed at Swift – including by her fans – about her lack of response to fundamental issues of wealth inequality and her fossil fuel consumption that is exacerbating climate change. Safe charitable contributions may enhance her image for a while, but they do little to address the root causes of a system that benefits the few at the expense of the many."

Over the last year of her record-breaking Eras Tour, Taylor Swift has received praise for her philanthropic giving and her generous compensation of tour staff. As a fan, I’ve been among those giving cautious praise; but as someone working in philanthropic and social impact strategy, I feel Swift is missing out on a massive opportunity to address both her fans and her critics by leveraging this moment to do more. 

While Swift has made significant individual contributions to hunger relief, education, and disaster relief efforts through the years, she has no formal charitable or philanthropic vehicle. This puts her increasingly at odds with her peers. Many of Swift’s fellow pop stars have integrated their audiences, lived experiences, and passions into their philanthropic strategies, tying them to their brands and image in strategic and impactful ways. Selena Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund champions mental health nonprofits, Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation prioritizes environmental justice and climate adaptation strategies, and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation embraces movements for LGBTQ+ justice. Beyoncé’s BEYGood and Miley Cyrus’s Happy Hippie Foundation are other examples. 

However, far more can and should be done across philanthropy. New data shows that if the richest 1% donated 2.5% of their net worth or 10% of their annual income to philanthropic giving, it could surge by $3.5 trillion in the first year alone. That figure is at least 17 times more than Elon Musk’s entire net worth. 

Swift, a newly minted billionaire, could jumpstart such an effort significantly. If she allocated 10% of her 2023 and projected 2024 income from The Eras Tour – leaving out branding, licensing, royalties, and other revenue sources – she could endow a foundation with more than $200 million overnight. Assuming a bare minimum payout of 5%, required by law of charitable foundations, Swift’s foundation could give $10 million annually for the rest of her life. If she followed emerging trends in philanthropy to give more generously and aggressively at, say, 15%, her foundation could comfortably grant more than $30 million per year. 

"As concerns rise globally over increasing wealth gaps and instability tied to climate change, Taylor Swift has a unique opportunity to leverage her – and her team’s – impeccable branding, marketing, and audience engagement to reframe her image and influence in a way that ensures long-term success for Taylor Swift™ the brand and the people, communities, and fans who have helped make her a pop powerhouse."

There are many reasons why she should. While it is admirable that Swift has funded food kitchens in Eras Tour cities, it feels conservative and safe compared to bold, no-holds-barred giving like that of MacKenzie Scott, who gave unrestricted grants to social justice organizations totaling more than $2 billion in 2023. Areas of Scott’s giving range from racial and environmental justice to LGBTQ+ and women’s rights organizations. Giving more strategically, urgently, and to causes tied to those that her Gen Z and Millennial Swift fans support would reflect Swift’s prescient understanding of how to connect with people in a way that aligns her grantmaking with her artistry.

What’s more, embarking more formally in philanthropy would create a more strategic infrastructure around her giving that is community-responsive and trust-based. As the philanthropic sector embraces a more equitable approach, Swift could stand at the forefront in building an approach to giving that leverages local leaders, community organizations, and a philanthropic circle of advisors that is a mirror image of the team she has built for marketing, branding, public relations, and business strategy.

Perhaps the most compelling argument to someone like Swift, who has shown an uncanny ability to predict the winds of public opinion, is that her image, reputation, and brand are at risk if she doesn’t act. As concerns rise globally over increasing wealth gaps and instability tied to climate change, Taylor Swift has a unique opportunity to leverage her – and her team’s – impeccable branding, marketing, and audience engagement to reframe her image and influence in a way that ensures long-term success for Taylor Swift™ the brand and the people, communities, and fans who have helped make her a pop powerhouse. No amount of positive press from food kitchen donations or staff raises can address the criticism increasingly being lobbed at Swift – including by her fans – about her lack of response to fundamental issues of wealth inequality and her fossil fuel consumption that is exacerbating climate change. “Safe” charitable contributions may enhance her image for a while, but they do little to address the root causes of a system that benefits the few at the expense of the many. 

Taylor Swift has unparalleled influence and philanthropic potential. She could change philanthropy by harnessing her vast platform and the persuasive force of her public voice. By spotlighting and elevating those who work tirelessly towards meaningful change and embracing a model of philanthropy that mirrors the transparency and vulnerability celebrated in her music, she can pave the way for a new era of trust-based giving. By responding to good-faith critiques, she can solidify her role as a leader in a movement toward more equitable and impactful philanthropy. If she did, she would inspire a generation to approach giving with empathy, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility. This moment is a call to action; whether Swift will answer it remains to be seen.

Kindred Motes is the founder and managing director of KM Strategies Group, a social impact and philanthropic advisory firm. He is the co-founder and managing advisor of The Etolia Fund. 

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