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# Giving USA

A public service initiative of the Giving Institute

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://givingusa.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Insights](https://givingusa.org/insights/)
- [Donor Confidence Continues to Decline as Economy Takes Toll](https://givingusa.org/donor-confidence-continues-to-decline-as-economy-takes-toll/) - By Rick Dunham, Founder + Chairman of Dunham + Company In our latest Donor Confidence Study, donors indicated that they are continuing to pull back and are feeling a significant degree of pessimism about the economy. The volatility of the stock market, inflation, and other factors are taking a toll, and the latest data points
- [5 Strategies for Unlocking Donor Advised Funds: What Nonprofits Must Know to Compete in Today’s Philanthropic Landscape](https://givingusa.org/5-strategies-for-unlocking-donor-advised-funds-what-nonprofits-must-know-to-compete-in-todays-philanthropic-landscape/) - By Dwayne Ashley, CEO, Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, LLC. We will always keep it plan and real about what's happening in the sector that you need to know about. Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) have emerged as one of the greatest growth strategies for new funding and frequently misunderstood prospect opportunities in our sector. With more
- [The Demographic Shift That Will Redefine Planned Giving Over the Next Decade](https://givingusa.org/the-demographic-shift-that-will-redefine-planned-giving-over-the-next-decade/) - By Brantley Boyett, President & Co-Founder, Giving Docs Planned giving has always been shaped by demographics. But over the next decade, the donor landscape is going to change more dramatically than it has in the last fifty years, and legacy programs will need to evolve with it. Three forces are converging: Americans are living
- [Optimizing Decay](https://givingusa.org/optimizing-decay/) - By Ben Miller, Senior Vice President of Data Science and Analytics, Bonterra Tech What would an additional $150 billion in annual giving make possible? Consider this: closing America's entire food insecurity gap, funding the difference between what food-insecure families have and what they need, costs an estimated $32 billion a year. The jump from
- [Campaigns Are Not the Magic Cure-All: What Every Nonprofit Leader Needs to Know](https://givingusa.org/campaigns-are-not-the-magic-cure-all-what-every-nonprofit-leader-needs-to-know/) - By Barbara O’Reilly, CFRE, Founder and Principal, Windmill Hill Consulting Campaigns hold a special kind of allure in the nonprofit world. They're bold, they're visible, and when they work, they can transform an organization's trajectory. But after years of working in-house and consulting with nonprofits of all shapes and sizes, one thing is clear:
- [How to Personalize Your Nonprofit’s Fundraising at Scale](https://givingusa.org/how-to-personalize-your-nonprofits-fundraising-at-scale/) - By Sarah Tedesco, Chief Operating Officer and Part Owner, DonorSearch As a nonprofit fundraising professional, you’ve likely heard the gist of why you should personalize donor communications many times. Your supporters want to know that they’re integral members of your organization’s community and partners in your mission-critical efforts, so your interactions with them should
- [You’re Not Buying Paper Towels: Why Closed RFPs Fail Nonprofit Leaders](https://givingusa.org/youre-not-buying-paper-towels-why-closed-rfps-fail-nonprofit-leaders/) - By Jim Bush, CEO, Winkler Group If you’re buying paper towels, a closed RFP makes sense. You define the specifications, solicit bids, compare prices, and select a vendor. The product is standardized. The risk is low. If one supplier disappoints, you switch the next year. Campaign planning and strategic planning are not paper towels.
- [GUSA Generations and Giving Webinar](https://givingusa.org/gusa-generations-and-giving-webinar/) - Generations and Giving: Turning Data into Fundraising Strategy Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | 11:00 am ET Register Now The Giving USA Special Report: Generations and Giving unpacks decades of research into how each living generation gives, volunteers, and engages with philanthropy. While the data itself is powerful, knowing how to apply these insights effectively is
- [How Patrick Lencioni’s The 6 Types of Working Genius Transforms the Way Nonprofit Teams and Boards Work Together](https://givingusa.org/how-patrick-lencionis-the-6-types-of-working-genius-transforms-the-way-nonprofit-teams-and-boards-work-together/) - By Michelle Cramer, CFRE, President & CEO, Cramer & Associates It was February 23, 2021, and I was doing one of my favorite things, listening to a podcast while getting ready for the day. The episode was from At the Table with Patrick Lencioni, one of my favorite authors and the brilliant mind behind
- [What I Learned in My First Year as a Fundraising Consultant](https://givingusa.org/what-i-learned-in-my-first-year-as-a-fundraising-consultant/) - By Bente Weitekamp, Senior Consultant, JGA Counsel A little over a year ago, I made the transition into full-time consulting after spending 25 years as a fundraiser. It has been a year of both opportunities and rewards—marked by upheaval across the nonprofit sector, but also by the privilege of walking alongside leaders and organizations
- [What the 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy Means for Nonprofits—and How BWF Can Help](https://givingusa.org/what-the-2025-bank-of-america-study-of-philanthropy-means-for-nonprofits-and-how-bwf-can-help/) - By Dennis Prescott, Senior Vice President, BWF The 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy, produced with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, offers an up-to-date look at how affluent Americans are giving, volunteering, and thinking about impact. The headline is clear: Generosity remains strong, but the landscape is changing.
- [Adapting to Charitable Tax Changes: What Nonprofits Need to Know for 2026 and Beyond](https://givingusa.org/adapting-to-charitable-tax-changes-what-nonprofits-need-to-know-for-2026-and-beyond/) - By Ally Orlando, Senior Copywriter at DonorPerfect The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, marks one of the most significant shifts to charitable giving rules in recent history. The new law affects how donors of all sizes approach their contributions, from small recurring givers to
- [The Economic Indicators Fundraisers Should Be Watching](https://givingusa.org/the-economic-indicators-fundraisers-should-be-watching/) - By Carrie Dahlquist, Senior Counsel, Strategic Information Services, Campbell & Company Earlier this summer, Campbell & Company presented a “Looking Ahead” section in its annual Giving USA presentation—a forward-focused conversation about the Giving USA report and the economic indicators most likely to shape fundraising in the coming months. The response was overwhelmingly
- [What the 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy Reveals About Giving Today](https://givingusa.org/what-the-2025-bank-of-america-study-of-philanthropy-reveals-about-giving-today/) - By Keith Curtis, CEO and Chairman, The Curtis Group Numbers tell a story, and research into donor behavior and giving trends gives all of us — fundraisers, consultants and nonprofit partners — a roadmap to navigate what’s next. The 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy: Charitable Giving by Affluent Households, conducted
- [Real Talk on Navigating Shrinking Budgets, Preventing Donor Drop-off, and Facing Political Headwinds](https://givingusa.org/real-talk-on-navigating-shrinking-budgets-preventing-donor-drop-off-and-facing-political-headwinds/) - By Whitney Brimfield, CEO, Spark Point Fundraising Right now, nonprofit leaders and fundraisers are carrying an impossible weight: shrinking budgets, donor fatigue, staff turnover, all while still being expected to deliver bold results. For social justice organizations, the landscape is even more complicated, with mounting pressure to dilute language, shift priorities, or
- [Key Insights That Drive Fundraising Success with Hispanic Communities](https://givingusa.org/key-insights-that-drive-fundraising-success-with-hispanic-communities/) - By David Torres, Vice President/Creative Director, TrueSense Marketing The Hispanic community in the United States is not one story, but many. With roots in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Central and South America, and Spain, Hispanic Americans bring a rich mix of languages, traditions, and cultural values. More than 62
- [The Fluency Gap: Why Your Campaign Team Can't Articulate What Your Donors Need to Hear](https://givingusa.org/the-fluency-gap-why-your-campaign-team-cant-articulate-what-your-donors-need-to-hear/) - By Doug Diefenbach, Vice President, Strategy & Brand, Foster Avenue And How to Bridge It Without Another Communications Overhaul Your campaign has stunning materials. The case statement is compelling. The website is beautiful. Yet your major gift officers come back from donor meetings with $50,000 gifts for specific projects when the donor
- [From Crisis to Confidence: Building Stronger Recruiting Practices](https://givingusa.org/from-crisis-to-confidence-building-stronger-recruiting-practices/) - By Claire Waiksnoris, Senior Director, Arthur Alley Search Solutions Think back to the last time someone left your team. What did it cost you? Not just in dollars, but in energy, morale, and momentum. A vacancy almost always leaves a ripple effect: extra responsibilities fall on already-stretched staff, projects slow down, and
- [Concentrated Generosity: Are We Headed to a Two-Tiered Giving Future?](https://givingusa.org/concentrated-generosity-are-we-headed-to-a-two-tiered-giving-future/) - By Matthew Mielcarek, SVP Analytics & Insights, Allegiance Group + Pursuant (AGP) Mega-donors are increasingly steering the ship. Their gifts - at time in the hundreds of millions - are making headlines, shaping capital campaigns, and shifting the direction of entire sectors. At the same time, participation from small and mid-level givers
- [The State of Modern Fundraising](https://givingusa.org/the-state-of-modern-fundraising/) - By Carrie Cobb, Chief Data and AI Officer, Blackbaud At the Blackbaud Institute, we’ve been closely watching how fundraisers are navigating today’s evolving landscape—and what we’re seeing is both inspiring and instructive. Yes, 2025 brings its share of uncertainty. Economic shifts, changing donor demographics, and policy changes are all reshaping the way
- [From Scarcity to Strategy: Reframing Your Nonprofit’s Fundraising Mindset](https://givingusa.org/from-scarcity-to-strategy-reframing-your-nonprofits-fundraising-mindset/) - By Ann Fellman, Chief Marketing Officer, Bloomerang Fear is not a sustainable fundraising strategy. Yet, too many nonprofits operate from a place of anxiety and uncertainty. Budgets get slashed, bold plans are shelved, and decisions are shaped by “what if” scenarios. This reactive approach can lead to missed opportunities, low morale, and
- [How To Build Your Fundraising Dream Team](https://givingusa.org/how-to-build-your-fundraising-dream-team/) - By Lieve Hendren, Senior Consultant at Alford Group If you’ve ever spent a day in a development office, you know it’s a bit like herding cats — except the cats wear blazers, carry clipboards and are split between those who can’t wait to work the room at a gala and those who’d
- [How to Talk About Giving USA So Board Members Will Listen](https://givingusa.org/how-to-talk-about-giving-usa-so-board-members-will-listen/) - By Gail Perry, President & Founder of Gail Perry Group You may be thinking… how do I bring Giving USA data to life for my board members? You’re in the boardroom. You’ve got the latest Giving USA report in hand. Charts ready. Statistics memorized. You launch into your presentation about billions
- [Have we been here before?](https://givingusa.org/have-we-been-here-before/) - By: Laura MacDonald, CFRE, Founder & Principal of Benefactor Group Last week, I met with the board of a historic property. They had spent years preparing for a campaign to create a new education center and enlarge their endowment. Each step was carefully taken: strategic planning, building the capacity of fundraising
- [Campaigns Undergirded by Best Practices Will Continue to Advance Philanthropy](https://givingusa.org/campaigns-undergirded-by-best-practices-will-continue-to-advance-philanthropy/) - By Jeff Jowdy, President & Founder, Lighthouse Counsel Capital campaigns have been a vital fundraising strategy in America for more than a century. Churches, hospitals, colleges and YMCAs were early pioneers of organized fundraising. They focused on volunteer-led efforts to build facilities or endow programs, typically through peer-to-peer
- [Do You Need a Feasibility Study? 5 Nonprofit Considerations](https://givingusa.org/nonprofit-feasibility-study-considerations/) - Before committing resources, time, and energy to a major campaign, you have to be sure your nonprofit is ready. This is where feasibility studies come in. However, feasibility studies are an investment in and of themselves, and there’s some debate in the nonprofit world about how necessary these assessments are. While many experts insist that
- [Giving USA 2025: U.S. charitable giving grew to $592.50 billion in 2024, lifted by stock market gains](https://givingusa.org/giving-usa-2025-u-s-charitable-giving-grew-to-592-50-billion-in-2024-lifted-by-stock-market-gains/) - Media Contact for the FOUNDATION: PCIteamGUSA@pcipr.com Media Contact for the SCHOOL: Adriene Davis Kalugyer 317-278-8972 adrldavi@iu.edu Giving USA 2025: U.S. charitable giving grew to $592.50 billion in 2024, lifted by stock market gains 70th annual report reveals giving to most nonprofit subsectors rose in 2024 What to Know Key findings from Giving USA 2025: The
- [Goodbye Pyramid… Hello Trapezoid! What the changing shape of fundraising means for Rescue Missions](https://givingusa.org/goodbye-pyramid-hello-trapezoid-what-the-changing-shape-of-fundraising-means-for-rescue-missions/) - Over the past decade, I’ve watched with interest as the traditional donor pyramid has steadily morphed into a new shape. Traditionally, about 50% of a Rescue Mission’s revenue came from donors giving less than $1,000 per year. Today, our pyramid has become top heavy: Higher value donors are making up a disproportionate amount of fundraising revenue.
- [3 Strategic Planning Steps for Private Family Foundations](https://givingusa.org/3-strategic-planning-steps-for-private-family-foundations-2/) - By Aly Sterling, Founder and President, Aly Sterling Philanthropy Foundations are one of the most powerful philanthropic vehicles for charitable families. From big names like the Ford Foundation to smaller scale grantmaking organizations you can find next door, family foundations all share one common goal: to use their resources, expertise and
- [Why unified tools are essential for modern fundraising](https://givingusa.org/why-unified-tools-are-essential-for-modern-fundraising/) - By Mary Whitrow, Content & Creative Marketing Manager, Kindsight The art of fundraising has undergone a seismic shift. Shrinking donor pools, rising nontraditional giving channels, and the vast amount of available donor data are redefining how fundraisers operate. The teams staring at long sets of outdated spreadsheets or cobbling together insights from
- [The Great Fundraising Disruptors](https://givingusa.org/the-great-fundraising-disruptors/) - By Justine Morgan Senior Associate, Ruotolo Associates If recent history has shown us anything, there are virtually no guarantees regarding funding sources. We're all living in a world of Fundraising Disruptors (FD). If you're in the nonprofit sector, or even the community at large, you've likely seen one or more of the
- [Still Skeptical About Auction Fundraising? This New Data Might Change Your Mind](https://givingusa.org/still-skeptical-about-auction-fundraising-this-new-data-might-change-your-mind/) - By Sarah Sebastian, Director of Corporate Communications at OneCause There’s always some chatter about whether event fundraising still has its place in today’s nonprofit world. The answer, according to the first-ever 2025 State of Nonprofit Auctions Report, is a resounding YES. Auction donors gave an average gift of $529, and 49% of
- [Generosity Is Evolving. Are We Paying Attention?](https://givingusa.org/generosity-is-evolving-are-we-paying-attention/) - By Tim Sarrantonio, Director of Community Engagement, Neon One We’ve all seen the headlines: donor participation is declining, while overall giving remains steady. It’s a trend that paints an incomplete picture of what generosity really looks like today. So we decided to look closer. At Neon One, we analyzed how nearly
- [Generosity and the Power of Collaboration](https://givingusa.org/generosity-and-the-power-of-collaboration/) - By Laura Hutyra, CFRE, Vice President of M. Gale Last year, The Generosity Commission released its report on the shifting landscape of generosity and the extraordinary power of giving and volunteering. As a member firm of The Giving Institute, M. Gale launched a new education series this year to explore and
- [Beyond the Ballroom: Why Smart Event Fundraising is Crucial in an Era of Shrinking Budgets](https://givingusa.org/beyond-the-ballroom-why-smart-event-fundraising-is-crucial-in-an-era-of-shrinking-budgets/) - By Leya Simmons, CEO and Co-founder, BetterUnite When I transitioned from my career as a fundraising professional to co-founding a technology platform focused on empowering nonprofits, I witnessed firsthand the rapid evolution and the growing urgency around fundraising events. Today, as organizations face reduced government funding, economic uncertainty, and shifting donor
- [Resilient Revenue: Sustaining Fundraising During Global Uncertainties](https://givingusa.org/resilient-revenue-sustaining-fundraising-during-global-uncertainties/) - Giving is a passionate act. As fundraising professionals, we are always looking for strategies and pathways to elevate the fundraising discourse beyond budgets and business plans (though they are important) – because seeing the “big picture” will motivate a donor to understand the full value of their gift and thus give to capacity. Our goal
- [Building Resilience: Essential Strategies for Nonprofits in Times of Economic Uncertainty](https://givingusa.org/building-resilience-essential-strategies-for-nonprofits-in-times-of-economic-uncertainty/) - By Janell Johnson, MPA, Chief Growth Officer, Kinetic In the nonprofit sector, adaptability is key. Economic uncertainty, shifting donor priorities and evolving community needs all require nonprofits to stay adaptable, innovative and mission-focused. While these challenging times can pose threats to fundraising and program sustainability, they also present opportunities for growth,
- [Women’s Philanthropy in Education: Insights from Bonnie Devlin and Carla Willis](https://givingusa.org/womens-philanthropy-in-education-insights-from-bonnie-devlin-and-carla-willis/) - By Bonnie Devlin, Managing Principal, Washburn & McGoldrick Carla Willis, Managing Principal, Washburn & McGoldrick Over the years, women's philanthropy has grown to be a powerful force in many higher education institutions and independent schools. With more women taking leadership roles in corporate boardrooms, entrepreneurial endeavors and in philanthropic initiatives, their
- [Mission for Today, Vision for Tomorrow: Impact Starts Now](https://givingusa.org/mission-for-today-vision-for-tomorrow-impact-starts-now/) - By: Tom Osborne, Vice President of Creative at Parisleaf Every meaningful nonprofit has a mission—the baseline, the reason for existing, the north star that keeps an organization focused. Being mission-driven provides clarity and direction, ensures alignment, and builds trust. However, mission alone won’t get the job done in fundraising campaigns. A mission
- [How AI is Transforming Nonprofits in 2025](https://givingusa.org/how-ai-is-transforming-nonprofits-in-2025/) - By Nils Smith, Chief Strategist, Social Media + Innovation at Dunham+Company Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the nonprofit sector, offering powerful tools that enhance efficiency, engagement, and impact. From automating administrative tasks to improving donor outreach, AI enables organizations to focus on what truly matters—their mission. AI is not here to replace human-driven
- [Campaigns Are About Change – Are You Ready?](https://givingusa.org/campaigns-are-about-change-are-you-ready/) - By Timothy R. Burcham, CFRE, President & CEO, Burcham Solutions Group Campaigns are fundamentally about change. Organizations most often mount major gift or capital campaigns to reach strategic objectives that expand their mission, add new and improved programs or services, or uniquely address significant needs of those they serve. By their
- [Now What?: Practical Advice for Advancement Professionals in a Rapidly Changing Landscape](https://givingusa.org/now-what-practical-advice-for-advancement-professionals-in-a-rapidly-changing-landscape/) - By Michael Durnil, PhD, Director, Executive Search, Cooper Coleman LLC The political and economic landscape continues to shift dramatically, leaving many social sector organizations and advancement professionals scrambling to adjust to a host of executive orders, policy changes, public opinions, and donor anxieties. Whether you face economic uncertainties, new tax policies, or evolving
- [Trending in 2025: The Transformational Power of Philanthropy](https://givingusa.org/trending-in-2025-the-transformational-power-of-philanthropy/) - By Richard Tollefson, Founder & President, The Phoenix Philanthropy Group According to GivingUSA, the definitive report on charitable giving in the U.S., philanthropy has been amazingly resilient over the past 60 years. With only four years of decline over that period, philanthropy continues to grow, achieving new levels of investment each year. Many in our
- [Prioritizing Mid-Level Donors for Long Term Success](https://givingusa.org/prioritizing-mid-level-donors-for-long-term-success/) - By Kurt Worrell, SVP Donor Engagement and Non-Profit Strategies , Publishing Concepts The concept of the giving pyramid no longer exists. Why do I believe this? For one, the face of donor acquisition has changed completely. With the rising cost of postage, minuscule response rates, and a 13.8% retention rate (FEP 2024), what used to be
- [Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Philanthropy: Insights and Strategies for Fundraising Professionals](https://givingusa.org/navigating-the-evolving-landscape-of-philanthropy-insights-and-strategies-for-fundraising-professionals/) - Scott R. Lange, President, Visionary Philanthropic Consulting The philanthropic landscape is undergoing significant transformations, presenting both challenges and opportunities for fundraising professionals and fundraising consultants. Recent data from the Giving USA 2024 Report indicates that while charitable giving in 2023 reached $557.16 billion, this figure represents a decline when adjusted for inflation. Notably, the
- [The Responsive Maturity Model: A Framework for Scaling Fundraising in a Changing World](https://givingusa.org/the-responsive-maturity-model-a-framework-for-scaling-fundraising-in-a-changing-world/) - By Gabe Cooper, CEO, Virtuous Software The world of fundraising has dramatically shifted in the past 15 years. Today’s donors are surrounded by 7000+ ad messages, personalized social feeds, and targeted content, all competing for their attention. Whether it’s our Netflix recommendations, or our personalized Apple News Feed, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for
- [Higher Education Headwinds Provide Challenges and Opportunities for Advancement](https://givingusa.org/higher-education-headwinds-provide-challenges-and-opportunities-for-advancement/) - By Jeff Jowdy, President, Lighthouse Counsel By Victor Wilson, Senior Consultant, Lighthouse Counsel | Vice President of Student Affairs, Emeritus, University of Georgia Philanthropy has played an essential role in American higher education since John Harvard’s donation created Harvard University in 1636. Higher education has played a vital and leading role
- [Mike Gianoni: The Untapped Potential of Business and Nonprofit Collaboration](https://givingusa.org/mike-gianoni-the-untapped-potential-of-business-and-nonprofit-collaboration/) - By Mike Gianoni, President, CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Blackbaud As the election season hits its stride, the spotlight has turned toward the role of government in improving our society and leading the path forward. In my discussions within the business community, this focus has largely touched on market stability, public-private
- [Strategies for Amplifying Your Recruitment of Men of Color](https://givingusa.org/strategies-for-amplifying-your-recruitment-of-men-of-color/) - By Dwayne Ashley, Founder and CEO, Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, LLC. More than ever, recruiting top talent is essential to keeping our sector strong and vibrant for the future. Given the changes in our country’s demographics, the sector must align its recruitment goals to reflect the markets it serves. Particularly regarding Men of Color in fundraising.
- [Wendy McGrady Named 2024-2026 Chair of Giving USA Foundation](https://givingusa.org/wendy-mcgrady-named-2024-2026-chair-of-giving-usa-foundation/) - Wendy McGrady, Executive Vice President of The Curtis Group, has been named Chair of Giving USA Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by The Giving Institute to advance research, education, and public understanding of philanthropy. She was officially inducted on July 17, 2024, and will serve in her role through July 2026. Giving USA Foundation shares
- [A.I. is a Tool NOT a Substitute](https://givingusa.org/a-i-is-a-tool-not-a-substitute/) - By Kevin Smyrl, Associate Partner, Alexander Haas Are you tired of hearing about AI and how it’s going to change literally everything that we do every day? I certainly am. I’ve always considered myself somewhat of an early adopter when it comes to technology. I’ve had Palm Pilots, Blackberrys, iPhones, iPads, Kindles, etc., all within
- [Essential Insights for Fundraising Leadership](https://givingusa.org/essential-insights-for-fundraising-leadership/) - By Chad Paris, Partner & CEO, Parisleaf Like many, today’s fundraising leaders face unprecedented challenges and opportunities. As we transition into a new era marked by shifting generations, donor priorities. and technological advancements, it is critical that leaders adapt. Over the past year, I have visited some of the leading fundraising shops in the country
- [Bridging Divides: 5 Key Strategies for Creating a Positive Workplace in Polarizing Times](https://givingusa.org/bridging-divides-5-key-strategies-for-creating-a-positive-workplace-in-polarizing-times/) - By Mauria Brough, President, Advancement Resources If you are a manager, anywhere in any profession, you know that finding people to hire is becoming more and more challenging. Throw in the nuances of development work and the “keep everybody happy” tightrope advancement professionals traverse daily, along with a dash of post-pandemic malaise and a sprinkle
- [Navigating the Shift in Philanthropy](https://givingusa.org/navigating-the-shift-in-philanthropy/) - By Mary Whitrow, Content Marketing Manager, Kindsight Growing Challenges for Nonprofits Nonprofits today face stiff competition for donor attention. Since 2000, the number of nonprofits has increased[1], but giving by individuals (adjusted for inflation) has decreased[2]. With more organizations vying for fewer donors, standing out is crucial. Adding to the challenge, the demographics of donors
- [5 Takeaways and Next Steps from the Giving USA 2024 Report](https://givingusa.org/5-takeaways-and-next-steps-from-the-giving-usa-2024-report/) - By Joshua Meyer, VP of Market Engagement for Bloomerang The 2023 Giving USA report told the story of a challenging fundraising environment after a monumental boost during the peak years of the pandemic. The 2024 report reveals that total charitable giving remained relatively stable while other key trends emerged, from changes in giving for each
- [Giving USA: U.S. charitable giving totaled $557.16 billion in 2023](https://givingusa.org/giving-usa-u-s-charitable-giving-totaled-557-16-billion-in-2023/) - Giving reached a high in current dollars but did not outpace inflation WHAT TO KNOW Key findings from Giving USA 2024: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2023, released today, report that individuals, bequests, foundations and corporations gave an estimated $557.16 billion to U.S. charities in 2023. Total giving grew 1.9% in
- [4 Things Community Foundations Need to Know for a Successful Fundraising Campaign](https://givingusa.org/4-things-community-foundations-need-to-know-for-a-successful-fundraising-campaign/) - By Alexis Cooke, Chief Operations Officer, Alford Group By Lieve Hendren, CFRE, Senior Consultant and Director of Strategic Initiatives, Alford Group By Thandi Cai, Senior Marketing Associate, Alford Group In the world of nonprofit fundraising campaigns, community-centric and donor-centric approaches are often considered as either-or methodologies.
- [Ensuring Mission Relevance](https://givingusa.org/ensuring-mission-relevance/) - By Derek Alley CFRE, Co-Founder and President Arthur Alley The nonprofit – or social purpose – organization must look critically at itself to value its worth, to examine its mission, to determine whether this statement of mission is being interpreted properly through measured objectives and meaningful programs and to evaluate overall impact on the market
- [Identifying, Recruiting and Engaging Highly Effective Nonprofit Campaign Cabinet Members](https://givingusa.org/identifying-recruiting-and-engaging-highly-effective-nonprofit-campaign-cabinet-members/) - By Karin Cox, MFA, President, Kinetic When it comes to leadership, capital campaign cabinets are no different than any other effort: The right leaders make all the difference. Unfortunately, so do the wrong ones. When campaign cabinet volunteer leadership is working in the right way, your nonprofit and mission is elevated, and other donors are
- [3 Creative Ways to Provide Customized Donor Experiences](https://givingusa.org/3-creative-ways-to-provide-customized-donor-experiences/) - By Ryan Carpenter, Vice President, Client Success, Pursuant On average, we see around 10,000 ads each day. Each time we open our inbox, a social media app, a search engine, and even our mailboxes, we’re met with marketing messages from businesses aiming to drive more revenue. Your nonprofit competes for donors’ attention alongside dozens—or even
- [3 Strategic Planning Steps for Private Family Foundations](https://givingusa.org/3-strategic-planning-steps-for-private-family-foundations/) - By Aly Sterling, President & Founder, Aly Sterling Philanthropy Foundations are one of the most powerful philanthropic vehicles for charitable families. From big names like the Ford Foundation to smaller-scale grantmaking organizations you can find next door, family foundations all share one common goal: to use their resources, expertise and networks to address pressing social
- [Successful Grant Seeking Starts with a Strategic Plan](https://givingusa.org/successful-grant-seeking-starts-with-a-strategic-plan/) - By Dana Textoris, CEO, Grants Plus As the nonprofit sector reels from new data showing that giving from individuals is in decline, the bright side is that giving from foundations continues to rise. Consider: According to Giving USA Foundation, foundation giving has steadily grown over the last dozen years. According to GrantStation.com's 2023 State of
- [Building a Resilient Nonprofit: The Impact of Recurring Donors Explained](https://givingusa.org/building-a-resilient-nonprofit-the-impact-of-recurring-donors-explained/) - By Tim Sarrantonio, Director of Corporate Brand at Neon One In 2023, giving to nonprofits was down—and it wasn’t a one-year blip. So that’s the bad news. Here’s the good news: Recurring donors are bucking these negative trends. Not only are committed, regular givers holding strong in the face of industry-wide declines in giving, but
- [Navigating the AI Metropolis: Empowering Nonprofit Fundraising Through Data-Driven Strategies](https://givingusa.org/navigating-the-ai-metropolis-empowering-nonprofit-fundraising-through-data-driven-strategies/) - By Alexander Oftelie, Senior Vice President, Decision Science, BWF By Reed Tyler, Associate Managing Vice President, Business Intelligence, BWF The power of AI in fundraising is being harnessed further, accelerating the progress of our organizations and the causes we hold dear. Looking ahead and to ensure fundraising’s future is hopeful, good
- [A First Time for Everything: How to Recruit for an Inaugural Role](https://givingusa.org/a-first-time-for-everything-how-to-recruit-for-an-inaugural-role/) - By Faith Montgomery, Vice President and Managing Director, Lindauer With contributions by Paula Fazli, Maureen Huminik, Chandra Montgomery, and Carmel Napolitano Hiring for a newly created role in your organization? Expanding your existing team? Learn how to prepare in advance and set yourself up for a successful search. Recruitment is always a complex task, requiring
- [The Board's Role in Strategic Planning](https://givingusa.org/the-boards-role-in-strategic-planning/) - By Kaitlyn Kendall-Sperry, Senior Consultant, Benefactor Group Strategic planning—an essential activity for any nonprofit—is an opportunity to step back from everyday work and thoughtfully review: Where are we today? Where do we aspire to go? How will we get there? Done well, a strategic plan provides a flexible roadmap: one that moves you in the
- [Retaining Your Gift Officers: Crash Course & 5 Strategies](https://givingusa.org/retaining-nonprofit-gift-officers/) - By Jen Herrmann, Vice President, Graham-Pelton The labor market and economy have been turbulent in recent years for nonprofits, to say the least. Following the Great Resignation, employment data and overarching recession fears have sent mixed signals across the nonprofit sector. Employee retention has always been important, but today’s erratic job market has underscored its
- [Thinking Ahead:  Embracing Innovation in Generosity](https://givingusa.org/thinking-ahead-embracing-innovation-in-generosity/) - By Ted Grossnickle, Senior Consultant and Founder, Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates This month, JGA celebrates our 30th anniversary, which has us both reflective regarding where we’ve been and more importantly visualizing where we are headed in the future. It’s abundantly clear to all of us that the ways in which people are generous is undergoing
- [Five Top Headwind Trends of Higher Education Fundraising in 2024](https://givingusa.org/five-top-headwind-trends-of-higher-education-fundraising-in-2024/) - By Bonnie Devlin, Managing Principal & Co-owner, Washburn & McGoldrick, LLC By Carla Willis, Managing Principal, Washburn & McGoldrick, LLC As we provide counsel to our clients, we delight in hearing the details of the campaign gifts they are closing, the steady growth of innovative engagement efforts, and the
- [Courageous, Safe, and Necessary Conversations: Advancing Inclusive Philanthropy](https://givingusa.org/courageous-safe-and-necessary-conversations-advancing-inclusive-philanthropy/) - By Marts&Lundy Reflecting on recent achievements in the burgeoning realm of inclusive philanthropy, Marts&Lundy Consulting Partner Maia McGill sees tremendous potential for growth in the field … and reminds philanthropy professionals to practice that most basic of fundraising skills: listening. To have a conversation Maia McGill, Marts&Lundy Consulting Partner and notable authority on Inclusive Philanthropy, is
- [Toxic Culture: The 10,000-pound Elephant in the Nonprofit Boardroom](https://givingusa.org/toxic-culture-the-10000-pound-elephant-in-the-nonprofit-boardroom/) - By Laura Hutyra, CFRE, Vice President of M. Gale In today’s world, there are a lot of opinions about culture. It’s become quite the buzz word, and unfortunately some discussions even get ugly. However, one of the silver linings of the Covid pandemic was renewed focus and positive attention to the importance of company culture. Leaders
- [Enhancing Nonprofit Board Effectiveness: A Strategic Imperative for Organizational Success](https://givingusa.org/enhancing-nonprofit-board-effectiveness-a-strategic-imperative-for-organizational-success/) - By Betsy Chapin Taylor, FAHP, CEO, Accordant At the heart of every successful nonprofit organization lies a high-functioning board of directors. Boards serve as champions of an organization's mission, stewards of its resources and architects of its strategic direction. Boards provide essential oversight, guidance and support to elevate the organization’s mission, vision, values and strategic objectives.
- [What to Do About Giving Declines, Nonprofit Staff Turnover, and Donor Fatigue](https://givingusa.org/what-to-do-about-giving-declines-nonprofit-staff-turnover-and-donor-fatigue/) - By Emily Zacek, Copywriter, DonorPerfect It feels like the last decade has been one unprecedented event after another. From global pandemics and extreme inflation to war and civil unrest, it can be difficult to keep pace with how your colleagues and donors react to the world’s news. According to the 2023 Donor Trust Report by
- [8 Strategies to Overcome 2024’s Biggest Fundraising Challenges](https://givingusa.org/8-strategies-to-overcome-2024s-biggest-fundraising-challenges/) - By Todd Baylis, Qgiv CEO. Todd Baylis founded Qgiv in 2007, a digital fundraising platform that provides user-friendly fundraising software to more than 6,500 across North America. It’s no secret the last few years have been challenging for the nonprofit sector. Nonprofit professionals face several challenges: declining donor numbers, dwindling donor retention rates, a
- [Hot Take: Digital Marketing Is Not What You Think It Is](https://givingusa.org/hot-take-digital-marketing-is-not-what-you-think-it-is/) - By Danielle Rice, Chief Technology Officer, Dunham+Company When someone says they do “digital”, a variety of things may come to mind – anything from social media content creation to website development to sending emails and texts. These channels are so common in marketing strategies these days that marketing professionals must find a way to integrate
- [What Divides and Unites Us in Charitable Giving](https://givingusa.org/what-divides-and-unites-us-in-charitable-giving/) - By Lori Collins, Senior Vice President, Giving Sciences, Truesense These Divisive Times There is much talk of the divisiveness in today’s political climate. There seems to be a lack of tolerance in accepting viewpoints that are different from one’s own – not just different from cultural norms. Historically, religion held a prime spot for dividing
- [5 Key Traits That Make Ted Lasso an Incredible (Advancement) Leader](https://givingusa.org/5-key-traits-that-make-ted-lasso-an-incredible-advancement-leader/) - By Venancio Batista-Pedro, Director of Business Analytics and Senior Researcher, Advancement Resources A Ted Lasso craze is sweeping television viewers everywhere. The show revolves around an American football coach who has been hired to coach an English football team—a sport Americans refer to as “soccer.” The catch? Ted Lasso knows nothing about English football, so
- [How EDI Practices Can Help Nonprofits Attract Talent in a Challenging Labour Market](https://givingusa.org/how-edi-practices-can-help-nonprofits-attract-talent-in-a-challenging-labour-market/) - By Ellie Rusonik, Vice President, Search + Talent, KCI By Samantha David, Associate Vice President, Search + Talent, KCI “Charities and nonprofits contribute to addressing some of the most pressing social and economic inequities. But having a social mission doesn’t mean an organization is intentionally and meaningfully incorporating equity, diversity and
- [Future of Philanthropy: How Impact Investing Is Advancing Philanthropy](https://givingusa.org/future-of-philanthropy-how-impact-investing-is-advancing-philanthropy/) - Written by Jeffrey D. Byrne, Co-Founder + CEO, Byrne Pelofsky + Associates Foundations and nonprofit organizations have been engaging in impact investing since the 1960s. Only in the last decade has the nonprofit sector started adopting a more strategic approach to incorporating impact investing into fundraising. By aligning endowments, investment portfolios, and cash management tools
- [A Time for Thanksgiving Should be a Time to Act!](https://givingusa.org/a-time-for-thanksgiving-should-be-a-time-to-act/) - Written by Missy Gale, CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive), M. Gale & Associates In November, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving by expressing gratitude for a bountiful harvest and by giving thanks for family and community. This year, I hope our expression of gratitude is more than a good feeling, because it is an opportunity to act by being
- [Mega Gifts Aren’t the Problem. We Are.](https://givingusa.org/mega-gifts-arent-the-problem-we-are/) - Written by Jessica Browning, principal and EVP, Winkler Group A sweet older couple I met gives $1,000 gifts to about ten organizations each year—nonprofits of all sizes across different sectors. These are new gifts to organizations they’ve read about in the news or have heard about for years. It’s their annual tradition, and they find
- [5 Steps to More Personalized Donor Experiences with the Responsive Maturity Model](https://givingusa.org/5-steps-to-more-personalized-donor-experiences-with-the-responsive-maturity-model/) - By Gabe Cooper, Founder and CEO of Virtuous Software Giving is to a charity intrinsically personal. Donors give their money and time to nonprofits because they have a deeply personal connection to a cause. They give to cancer research because cancer has impacted their family. They give to the local food bank because they see
- [The Power of Philanthropy](https://givingusa.org/the-power-of-philanthropy/) - By Matthew J. Beem, PhD, CFRE Chairman and CEO, Kinetic I was at my neighborhood public library on a recent Saturday morning wrapping up loose ends between weeks on the road. I often duck into the local branch on weekends to thin and organize my “stack” between crazy work weeks. Movement near the library entrance
- [Navigating Shifting Sands: Steering Nonprofits to Secure Institutional Funding for Campaigns in 2023 and Beyond](https://givingusa.org/navigating-shifting-sands-steering-nonprofits-to-secure-institutional-funding-for-campaigns-in-2023-and-beyond/) - By Lauren Steiner, Owner + Founder, Grants Plus Capital campaigns are key in propelling nonprofit organizations towards achieving transformative goals. In the fluid world of fundraising, institutional funders, like foundations, corporations, and government agencies, are vital allies for campaign success. As professional fundraising consultants and technology providers, we've navigated the unique challenges of 2020 and
- [Navigating Nonprofit Fundraising Through Economic Uncertainty: Strategies for Success](https://givingusa.org/navigating-nonprofit-fundraising-through-economic-uncertainty-strategies-for-success/) - By Bre Alexander, Content Marketing Manager, iWave The past few years have undeniably posed challenges for nonprofits and fundraisers alike. We've come out of a global pandemic… but are we now heading into a recession? In this increasingly challenging environment, a series of shifts in the fundraising landscape have emerged: Donor retention rates are the
- [Don’t believe the hype. Individual major gifts are alive and well…it just depends on your definition of major.](https://givingusa.org/dont-believe-the-hype-individual-major-gifts-are-alive-and-wellit-just-depends-on-your-definition-of-major/) - By Amanda Macdonald, Senior Consultant, The Monument Group One of my first jobs in fundraising was as a Campaign Associate for a very large capital campaign at a large institution. My main responsibility was to write thank you letters for campaign gifts of $100,000 and up. I would spend hours working on the perfect adjectives
- [What’s the Key to Engaging Donors? High-Impact Stewardship](https://givingusa.org/whats-the-key-to-engaging-donors-high-impact-stewardship/) - By Ashley Lomery, Vice President, Grenzebach Glier and Associates (GG+A) By Eric Snoek, Senior Vice President, Grenzebach Glier and Associates (GG+A) With the widely publicized fluctuation in giving reflected in the most recent Giving USA report, donor retention is critical for organizations of all sizes and missions. Have you ever
- [An Interview with Cambell & Company's Experts: Executive Search Trends](https://givingusa.org/an-interview-with-cambell-companys-experts-executive-search-trends/) - By Abi Husain, Associate Consultant, Executive Search, Campbell & Company Associate Consultant Abi Husain sat down with Vice Presidents and executive search experts Sarah Beraki, Christian Cañas, Dan Nevez, and Colleen Rogers from Campbell & Company’s Executive Search team to discuss ongoing trends in the ever-changing landscape of talent recruitment in the nonprofit sector. Read on to gain more insight from our
- [Giving Trends: The Role of Age and Income in Charitable Giving](https://givingusa.org/giving-trends-the-role-of-age-and-income-in-charitable-giving/) - Written by Lori Collins, SVP, Giving Sciences, Truesense Marketing One of the benefits of tracking donor perceptions and behaviors over time is seeing the subtle changes year over year that collectively add up to some surprising differences. The DonorGraphics annual study of charitable giving just hit its 12th year, which affords this window. The Giving
- [5 Strategies to Implement Based on Giving USA 2023](https://givingusa.org/5-strategies-to-implement-based-on-giving-usa-2023/) - 5 Strategies to Implement Based on Giving USA 2023 By Joshua Meyer, VP of Demand Generation for Bloomerang The Giving USA 2023 report highlighted the challenging economic circumstances of 2022 and nonprofit sector trends in the aftermath of the global pandemic. After two years of record-breaking giving inspired by the pandemic, overall giving declined by
- [Madam C.J. Walker: 3 Myths About Black Philanthropy Debunked](https://givingusa.org/madam-c-j-walker-3-myths-about-black-philanthropy-debunked/) - Madam C.J. Walker: 3 Myths About Black Philanthropy Debunked By JoAnn Yoshimoto, CFRE, Senior Consultant, Alford Group Why Make Ripples if You Can Cause an Avalanche? In celebration of Black Philanthropy Month, we have an opportunity to look more closely at stories that illustrate the depth and richness of Black philanthropy. There are many present-day
- [7 Steps to Build Donor Personas for More Effective Fundraising](https://givingusa.org/7-steps-to-build-donor-personas-for-more-effective-fundraising/) - By Ally Orlando, Senior Copywriter at DonorPerfect 7 Steps to Build Donor Personas for More Effective Fundraising As a fundraiser, you’re probably familiar with the power of personalization in your fundraising efforts. However, the process of researching and tailoring communications to every individual on your mailing list can be overwhelming. Regardless of size or budget,
- [The 3 Business Trends Thriving Organizations Have in Common](https://givingusa.org/the-3-business-trends-thriving-organizations-have-in-common/) - By Michael J. Tomlinson (MT), CEO and President, BDI One of the greatest challenges of leadership is knowing where to focus. Zoom out too far and you risk losing the pulse on your organization and even seeming unapproachable by your team. Become overly invested in your internal, day-to-day operations and you might appear myopic and
- [Building Your Donor Pipeline for Major Gifts](https://givingusa.org/building-your-donor-pipeline-for-major-gifts/) - By Victoria Dietz, Executive Vice President, The Curtis Group What does it mean to have a pipeline of donors? In its simplest form, your pipeline is a structured way for you to convert prospective donors into current donors and to secure increasingly generous support from those current donors. At its core, it means that you
- [Four Key Steps to an Effective Business Intelligence Strategy](https://givingusa.org/four-key-steps-to-an-effective-business-intelligence-strategy/) - By Reed Tyler, Associate Managing Vice President, Business Intelligence at BWF Imagine driving a car without knowing how fast you're going or how much gas you have left. Standard dashboards provide a certain level of information, but it often doesn't extend beyond the basics. Now, picture a more sophisticated approach where your car not only
- [Is Charitable Giving Resilient? Or Stagnant?](https://givingusa.org/is-charitable-giving-resilient-or-stagnant/) - By: Benefactor Group For just the 4th time, Giving USA reported a decline in year-over-year charitable giving. Should we worry? Generally, giving grows. For more than 5 decades it has grown an average of 6% per year. Compared to volatile sectors like real estate or energy, growth in giving seems resilient over time. Even the
- [Achieving Clear Messaging During Capital Campaigns: 5 Steps](https://givingusa.org/achieving-clear-messaging-during-capital-campaigns-5-steps/) - By Aaron Dahlstrom, Vice President of Digital Marketing at Graham-Pelton During a capital campaign, nonprofits use a variety of in-person and online fundraising strategies to invite donors of all giving levels to contribute to a large-scale project. An important part of promoting your capital campaign to potential donors, volunteers, and supporters is unifying your mission
- [How to Engage Corporate Volunteers at Your Nonprofit](https://givingusa.org/how-to-engage-corporate-volunteers-at-your-nonprofit/) - By Aly Sterling, President and Founder of Aly Sterling Philanthropy As corporate philanthropy grows in popularity, your nonprofit has a great opportunity to expand its volunteer base. Corporate volunteering can be an effective way for your organization to tap into a specific skill set and get much-needed support to advance your mission—from increasing the number
- [Strong Donor Communication Starts with Knowing What Matters to Them](https://givingusa.org/strong-donor-communication-starts-with-knowing-what-matters-to-them/) - By: DonorSearch Fundraisers face two big questions daily: whom do we contact, and what should we say? Far too often, nonprofits struggle with both queries. A recent article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy criticizes nonprofits for relying on “vanity metrics” in communications to their donor community, a direct result of this struggle. DonorSearch solves this
- [Making the Right Choice for Processing Offline Gifts: In-House or Lockbox/Caging?](https://givingusa.org/making-the-right-choice-for-processing-offline-gifts-in-house-or-lockbox-caging/) - By James Cowen, CEO of Aqubanc Processing offline gifts is a crucial aspect of fundraising for many organizations. The decision to handle it in-house or outsource it to a Lockbox/Caging operation can have significant implications. Nonprofits rely heavily on donations, especially those made offline. While online donations have become the norm in recent years, there
- [From spark to sustainability: translating your nonprofit’s moment in the spotlight into long-term impact](https://givingusa.org/from-spark-to-sustainability-translating-your-nonprofits-moment-in-the-spotlight-into-long-term-impact/) - By: Bonterra We’ve all seen it happen: A significant local, national, or world event takes place, and our attention is drawn to those communities most in need. And often, at the helm of addressing these needs sits a nonprofit. Thanks to a high volume of attention and traffic, folks rush to support this organization. The
- [Maximizing Your Direct Mail ROI: 3 Essential Data-Driven Tactics for Success](https://givingusa.org/maximizing-your-direct-mail-roi-3-essential-data-driven-tactics-for-success/) - By Dan Stevens, Co-Founder, SVP of Business Development & Operations at Windfall Data As prevalent as digital-first approaches and second screening have become, direct mail still plays a critical role in the marketing mix for many nonprofits. Direct mail’s staying power is driven by its superior response rates, which, according to DMA, can be up
- [The 5 W’s of Board Membership](https://givingusa.org/the-5-ws-of-board-membership/) - By Derek Alley , CFRE, Co-Founder and President of Arthur Alley board [noun]: a group of persons having managerial, supervisory, investigatory, or advisory powers The board. Whether its members serve as directors, trustees or advisors, a board can be a huge asset or an even bigger liability. Many times, the root of dissatisfaction with an
- [Fundraising for Complex Social Issues: How to transform challenging social issues into effective fundraising opportunities](https://givingusa.org/fundraising-for-complex-social-issues-how-to-transform-challenging-social-issues-into-effective-fundraising-opportunities/) - By Richard Tollefson, founder and president of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group Inspiring donors and raising philanthropic support for society’s most complex issues – those that cannot be solved by philanthropy alone and where positive impact may not be realized for years – is a challenge facing nonprofits worldwide. Homelessness is one case in point. Those
- [The Power of Your Donors’ Stories](https://givingusa.org/the-power-of-your-donors-stories/) - By Kurt Worrell Senior Vice President, Donor Engagement and Nonprofit Strategies at StoryCause Fundraisers use stories every day to talk about our mission, share the impact of philanthropy, and inspire donors to create a long-lasting emotional connection with our organization. Stories are powerful. They provide an important framework for how we understand our world by:
- [Talent in Advancement – “Why” is part of the new Wisdom that is required.](https://givingusa.org/talent-in-advancement-why-is-part-of-the-new-wisdom-that-is-required/) - By Ted Grossnickle, Senior Consultant and Founder of Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates It’s been said that the “why” questions in fundraising and strategic planning for nonprofits are the most important ones. And that is very true when it comes to the ways we are trying to help our clients and our practices attract and engage
- [Which comes first? Giving or Trust?](https://givingusa.org/which-comes-first-giving-or-trust/) - Barbara O’Reilly, CFRE, Founder and Principal, Windmill Hill Consulting “Public trust is the currency of the nonprofit sector” so states Independent Sector’s reports on Trust in Civil Society. Tracking trends in giving and donor retention is one thing. But what drives giving? Trust in the sector and, more importantly, in organizations. That said, it’s not
- [The New Roadmap…Slightly Updated](https://givingusa.org/the-new-roadmapslightly-updated/) - Avrum Lapin, President, The Lapin Group One year ago I posted an article that set forth several thoughts that I believed then, and continue to believe, that frame today’s philanthropic marketplace. I am always asked by clients and colleagues about the changes that have occurred in the fluid philanthropic space “since COVID.” I resist launching
- [No, the Case still isn't dead. But how we approach it should be.](https://givingusa.org/no-the-case-still-isnt-dead-but-how-we-approach-it-should-be/) - Chad Paris, Principal and CEO of Parisleaf “Is the Case for Support dead?” I get this question often; mostly, from fundraising peers who have been in the game for decades. My opinion? Nope. The Case isn’t dead. The Case is alive and well - just wishful thinking. And hey, I get it. The other day,
- [CCS’s Annual Philanthropy Pulse Report](https://givingusa.org/ccss-annual-philanthropy-pulse-report/) - CCS’s annual Philanthropy Pulse report provides nonprofits with helpful data to navigate the ever-evolving philanthropic space. The 2023 CCS Philanthropy Pulse report provides a window into the fundraising practices of nearly 1,200 organizations across nonprofit sectors based on data collected in late 2022. Key findings include: Organizations across the board experienced fundraising revenue growth in FY21,
- [As the S&P Turns...](https://givingusa.org/as-the-sp-turns/) - David H. King, President & CEO at Alexander Haas As we came to the end of the roller coaster that was 2022 – and for the record, I hate roller coasters, have since I was a kid – and as many of us were in planning mode for 2023, I was drawn back to some
- [Blocking and Tackling in Hyper-Philanthropic Communities](https://givingusa.org/blocking-and-tackling-in-hyper-philanthropic-communities/) - Kim Horton, President & Senior Counsel at The Hodge Group Hyper-Philanthropy is all about the acceleration of giving through joy. For over 30 years, THG has had the privilege of serving communities across America which embody that spirit. These communities are primed to develop sustainable income through philanthropy thanks to a developed appreciation for the
- [How to Align Big Ideas with Your Institutional Mission](https://givingusa.org/how-to-align-big-ideas-with-your-institutional-mission/) - Lisa Aaronson, Senior Vice President at Grenzebach Glier + Associates Derek C. Bellin, Senior Vice President at Grenzebach Glier + Associates Fundraising institutions have become increasingly reliant on large gifts from a select number of high-level donors. As the population of lower-tier donors has declined over the past few decades, this reliance has only grown;
- [High-Net Worth Donors Are Looking For Inspiration](https://givingusa.org/high-net-worth-donors-are-looking-for-inspiration/) - By Lisa Wolf, SVP of Client Experience, at Westfall Gold As we close out 2022, we’ve been looking at the key factors that motivate high-net worth donors to give transformational gifts. Each year, we analyze the results of the surveys that we do after each of our donor experiences. In 2022, we partnered with non-profits
- [5 Tips for Recruiting High-Level Talent for Your Nonprofit](https://givingusa.org/5-tips-for-recruiting-high-level-talent-for-your-nonprofit/) - By Don Souhrada, President and CEO, at Ter Molen Watkins & Brandt When a key staff member makes the decision to leave an organization, the process of finding talent can be daunting. Too often, the traditional position marketing methods do not attract the high-caliber applicants that the position requires. Or a top choice might back
- [Shifting Mindsets: The Inclusive Fundraising Fellowship](https://givingusa.org/shifting-mindsets-the-inclusive-fundraising-fellowship/) - By Amanda Macdonald, Senior Consultant, at The Monument Group As a profession, we are not making any progress in building a diverse group of professionals that represent our communities. Today 79% of fundraisers are White, 6.7% are Hispanic or Latino, 5.9% are Black or African American, 4.1% are Asian, and only 0.5% are American Indian
- [Spoiler Alert: Future Philanthropic Leadership is About More Than Just Money](https://givingusa.org/spoiler-alert-future-philanthropic-leadership-is-about-more-than-just-money/) - By Richard Tollefson, Founder and President of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group A new era of philanthropy, nonprofit governance, and social change is upon us. Changes in why, how, and where the next generation of philanthropists give and engage are rapidly taking hold in America and shaping the way nonprofits do business. To optimize the potential
- [Prospect Research as a Service: Tips to Get Organizational Buy-In](https://givingusa.org/prospect-research-as-a-service-tips-to-get-organizational-buy-in/) - Bre Alexander, Content Marketing Manager, iWave By now, we’ve all heard the term “software as a service” or “SaaS”. SaaS refers to a web-based software solution or delivery model which allows a customer to purchase software and access it online. Normally, when thinking of a service, we think of a delivery service or cleaning service.
- [ROI: Relationships for Organizational Impact | How To Create a Caring and Connected Work Environment](https://givingusa.org/roi-relationships-for-organizational-impact-how-to-create-a-caring-and-connected-work-environment/) - Michelle Cramer, CFRE, President & CEO, Cramer & Associates Nonprofits and for-profit businesses continue to face challenges in hiring and retaining talent. The pandemic only heightened this, with more people taking stock of their career options and making major professional pivots. Even prior to the pandemic, the nonprofit sector had a 19% voluntary turnover rate,
- [Public/Private Partnerships for the WIN!](https://givingusa.org/public-private-partnerships-for-the-win/) - By Jeffrey D. Byrne, Co-Founder + CEO, Byrne Pelofsky + Associates Capital Campaigns looking for innovative ways to find new funding or to begin the process may find public/private partnerships advantageous. Nonprofits have shied away from this funding model because traditional public/private partnerships have been used for funding large civic projects where private entities may
- [A Delicate Balance: Managing Staff and Donor Politics in a Divisive Landscape](https://givingusa.org/a-delicate-balance-managing-staff-and-donor-politics-in-a-divisive-landscape/) - Jim Bush, Winkler Group Principal and President Jessica Browning, MBA., Winkler Group Principal and EVP Nikki Rach, Winkler Group Vice President, Client Services Politics have a way of oozing into every aspect of our lives these days, so why should the nonprofit world be any exception? If politics transcend or thwart mission impact, the outcome could
- [5 Fundraising Stats That Will Change The Way You Think About Donor Engagement](https://givingusa.org/5-fundraising-stats-that-will-change-the-way-you-think-about-donor-engagement/) - Brian Gawor, Vice President for Research, RNL I’m lucky to have a massive warehouse of donor response, that I rely on daily to give advice to fundraisers. I recently sat down and compiled some of the most interesting fundraising stats, and they’ve made me think differently about fundraising. Here’s a taste, and what I think
- [Equitable, Ethical, and Effective: New Standards for Storytelling in Fundraising](https://givingusa.org/equitable-ethical-and-effective-new-standards-for-storytelling-in-fundraising/) - By John Thompson, Chief Creative Officer, TrueSense Marketing Consumer marketers, corporate B2B marketers, and fundraisers all use some combination of emotional and rational drivers in the persuasive stories they tell. And the reason why is the same: to motivate their audiences to take action. However, the difference is in the “how.” Marketers rely more on
- [Strength-Based Messaging: What is it and how to use it?](https://givingusa.org/strength-based-messaging-what-is-it-and-how-to-use-it/) - By Brenda B. Asare, President & CEO of Alford Group By Araceli Duran, Business Development Associate at Alford Group Strength-based messaging is a term that has become increasingly common in both the philanthropic and communication space as the nonprofit community strives to center equity in their work. However, you may be wondering if these are
- [Building Hyper-Philanthropy™:  An Equitable Approach to Lasting Philanthropic Change](https://givingusa.org/building-hyper-philanthropy-an-equitable-approach-to-lasting-philanthropic-change/) - Bharat Krishnan, Director of Client Success, The Hodge Group The Hodge Group practices in our industry using our trade-marked methodology, Hyper-Philanthropy™. We developed this methodology from our observations, experience and practice working with our clients. Essentially, Hyper-Philanthropy™ is about taking advantage of resources within your organization and your community at-large to foster an environment where
- [Strategic Planning and Your New Normal](https://givingusa.org/strategic-planning-and-your-new-normal/) - Angela E. White, CFRE, Senior Consultant and CEO, Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates Whether you are in the middle of your strategic plan, concluding a plan, or need to start one, you may want to consider how you can envision and plan for your new normal. How has your outlook changed in the past year? We
- [How to Handle Conflicts of Interest With Board Members](https://givingusa.org/how-to-handle-conflicts-of-interest-with-board-members/) - By Sarah Marino, Vice President, Fundraising at Campbell & Company By Meredith Richard, Associate Consultant, Fundraising at Campbell & Company An active board member often has numerous professional and personal affiliations and, undoubtedly, some of them cross paths with your organization. Finding board members with no conflicts of interest at all is unlikely. They might
- [Turbulent Times: CEOs Focus on 10 Key Questions](https://givingusa.org/turbulent-times-ceos-focus-on-10-key-questions/) - Authentic leadership is more challenging – and more important – than ever. Top CEOs share their keys to thriving in today’s turbulent times.
- [Launching a Grateful Patient Program: 6 Fundamental Steps](https://givingusa.org/launching-a-grateful-patient-program-6-fundamental-steps/) - By Jen Herrmann, Vice President of Graham-Pelton Development is an integral part of the long-term success of any nonprofit organization. Identifying top prospects who feel a connection to your work, deepening your relationships with those individuals, and asking them to have an outsized impact on your mission is what can take your operations to the next
- [5 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Strategies to Amp Up Your Fall Events](https://givingusa.org/5-peer-to-peer-fundraising-strategies-to-amp-up-your-fall-events/) - By Erin King, Digital Marketing Manager at DonorDrive By Kay Todd, Product Marketing Manager at DonorDrive Over the next 20 years, it’s estimated between $30 and $70 trillion will be transferred from baby boomers to their heirs. Some experts forecast these shifts in wealth will reach as high as $84 trillion with $11.9 trillion in philanthropic giving. Even
- [Combat the Effects of High Inflation on Donors’ 2022 Giving](https://givingusa.org/combat-the-effects-of-high-inflation-on-donors-2022-giving/) - By Dave Smith, CEO & Founder of Heaton Smith Group After low inflation for more than three decades, many Americans are learning for the first time the pernicious effects of high inflation on their everyday lives. Leading many news stories is the record price to fill up our cars and the ripple effects of high fuel
- [Josh Birkholz Named 2022-2024 Chair of Giving USA Foundation](https://givingusa.org/josh-birkholz-named-2022-2024-chair-of-giving-usa-foundation/) - Josh Birkholz, CEO of BWF, has been named Chair of Giving USA Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by The Giving Institute to advance research, education, and public understanding of philanthropy. He was officially inducted on July 20 and will serve in his role through July 31, 2024. Giving USA Foundation shares data and trends about
- [Legislative Roundup – Key Legislation Before Congress Impacting the Nonprofit Sector](https://givingusa.org/legislative-roundup-key-legislation-before-congress-impacting-the-nonprofit-sector/) - By Sally Ehrenfried, Senior Principal, Government Relations at Blackbaud For those of you who know me, you know that I’m passionate about the nonprofit sector and its participation in policy conversations. Legislation at the federal, state, and local level can often impact how nonprofit organizations and foundations operate, how they assist their communities, and how government
- [Holistic Generosity : Removing the Silos Between Fundraising, Volunteerism and Activism](https://givingusa.org/holistic-generosity-removing-the-silos-between-fundraising-volunteerism-and-activism/) - By Gabe Cooper, CEO of Virtuous If you’ve been around nonprofits for any length of time you’ve inevitably heard a nonprofit leader say “Donors are a relationship, not a transaction” - or possibly even “Our donors are more than just checkbooks.” Nonprofit leaders intuitively know that their constituents have far more to give than just
- [Using Effective Communication to Improve Employee Satisfaction and Retention](https://givingusa.org/using-effective-communication-to-improve-employee-satisfaction-and-retention/) - By Sarah Dave, Managing Director of Operations at Grants Plus Across the country, organizations seem to be grappling with the same workplace challenge: how can you retain your workforce in the midst of “The Great Resignation?” Recent surveys conducted by Pew and MIT concluded that some of the top reasons employees are leaving include a general lack of respect and
- [Five Ways to Leverage Giving USA 2022](https://givingusa.org/five-ways-to-leverage-giving-usa-2022/) - Contributed by Kaitlin Robb, Communications Manager at The Curtis Group, a Giving Institute Member Firm and Giving USA 2022 Benefactor While it is no secret that our world has been forever changed by the events of the last several years, it remains true and constant that Americans are incredibly generous, giving $484.85 billion (a 4%
- [Board Engagement: Mapping Your Board for Fundraising Success](https://givingusa.org/board-engagement-mapping-your-board-for-fundraising-success/) - By Dwayne Ashley, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Bridge Philanthropic Consulting By Sylvia White, Chief Operations Officer at Bridge Philanthropic Consulting Your firm’s role in mapping board relationships The lifeblood of any fundraising program is finding, cultivating, and keeping your donors. Unfortunately, too many organizations approach fundraising from a need-based mentality. Their immediate inclination
- [5 Ways to Maximize Your Volunteers’ Investment](https://givingusa.org/5-ways-to-maximize-your-volunteers-investment/) - By Derek Alley, CFRE, Co-Founder and President of Arthur Alley There are many reasons to appreciate your volunteers. This selfless group of individuals gives their time and talent to propel your mission forward. While the time commitment of a volunteer may range from a one-day project to a board seat, many nonprofits neglect to empower
- [Why Brand Strategy?](https://givingusa.org/why-brand-strategy/) - By Rick Dunham, Founder and Chairman of Dunham+Company In an increasingly cluttered market and changing fundraising landscape, it’s imperative to recognize the need to take your brand to its next level of growth. Differentiating your organization will build long-term sustainability and greater brand effectiveness. What is a Brand Strategy? As enduring brands—meaning ministries, organizations, and companies—have
- [Online Fundraising for Nonprofits: 7 Best Practices to Help You Raise More](https://givingusa.org/online-fundraising-for-nonprofits-7-best-practices-to-help-you-raise-more/) - By Tiara Stephan, Content Marketing Specialist at Qgiv Online fundraising has quickly dominated the fundraising world, with virtual events and digital campaigns driving donations for nonprofits everywhere. While online fundraising has become a big part of every organization’s fundraising strategy, not everyone knows how to maximize the impact of their online fundraising efforts and campaigns. However,
- [4 Ingredients for Success in Establishing a Planned Giving Program](https://givingusa.org/4-ingredients-for-success-in-establishing-a-planned-giving-program/) - Insights from experts at Advancement Resources Implementing a planned giving program at your organization is important for both your organization AND the donor. Why? Doing so provides an avenue to realize maximum impact together. The organization can leverage planned contributions through investments and endowments to amplify impact. Donors who might otherwise feel that making a transformational
- [How Fundraisers Can Turn a Giving Moment into Lifetime Retention](https://givingusa.org/how-fundraisers-can-turn-a-giving-moment-into-lifetime-retention/) - By Tim Sarrantonio, Director of Corporate Brand at Neon One The average person receives 10,000 advertisements per day; a nonprofit organization needs to think about tapping into a moment where someone wants to give and turn it into long-term momentum. To best help fundraisers understand these shifting patterns in communication and donor behavior specifically, we will outline
- [How Donor Advised Funds Work & How Nonprofits Leverage the DAF Ecosystem to Drive Philanthropy](https://givingusa.org/how-donor-advised-funds-work-how-nonprofits-leverage-the-daf-ecosystem-to-drive-philanthropy/) - By Peggy DeAngelo, Director of Development at John Chambers College of Business and Economics West Virginia University Foundation By Adam Miller, Senior Vice President at CCS Fundraising Donor Advised Funds – or “DAFs” – have firmly established themselves as a philanthropic vehicle in the donor toolbox. A recent special report from the
- [Does Having a Fundraising Development Plan Really Matter? Actually, Yes.](https://givingusa.org/does-having-a-fundraising-development-plan-really-matter-actually-yes/) - By Barbara O’Reilly, CFRE, Founder and Principal at Windmill Hill Consulting It started with a tweet asking if there was a correlation between fundraising development plans and fundraising success. We have so much anecdotal evidence how intentionally planning fundraising for a fiscal year creates a stronger vision for success. But can we concretely support the anecdotes
- [Where is the New Roadmap?](https://givingusa.org/where-is-the-new-roadmap/) - By Avrum Lapin, President at The Lapin Group LLC Philanthropy is alive, well, and vibrant, but admittedly more complicated. Despite all the things that draw us apart, however, I contend that what has the greatest potential to bring us together is our shared commitment to making the world a better place and to improving the lives
- [5 Tips to Turn Every New Donor into a Lifetime Supporter](https://givingusa.org/5-tips-to-turn-every-new-donor-into-a-lifetime-supporter/) - By Sarah Tedesco, Executive Vice President of DonorSearch Donors not only provide essential monetary support for your organization, but they also build the foundation of the supportive community that every nonprofit needs in order to thrive. That’s why it’s so important to have an ironclad donor retention strategy in place that helps you turn as many first-time
- [Financial Awareness Month: A Chance to Focus on Finances + Free Downloadable Resource](https://givingusa.org/financial-awareness-month-a-chance-to-focus-on-finances-free-downloadable-resource/) - By Nathan Stelter, President of The Stelter Company April is Financial Literacy Month (likely timed with a certain tax day), and it means a chance to be part of financial planning conversations. The national holiday grew from a desire to educate kids about financial literacy, but the concepts apply to all of us, including nonprofit donors. This month
- [Top Problems You May Experience After Go-Live with Salesforce](https://givingusa.org/top-problems-you-may-experience-after-go-live-with-salesforce/) - By Jason Boley, Senior Vice President at BWF Excerpt: Problems often arise when implementing new software, but they need not be inevitable. Anticipating potential problems before going live can minimize or eliminate those potential issues after go-live. Below are several potential post-go-live problems you’ll want to be aware of in advance. Problems often arise when
- [How to Find and Keep Your Donors, Part One: Retention](https://givingusa.org/how-to-find-and-keep-your-donors-part-one-retention/) - By Tanya Cornejo, Senior Consultant at Benefactor Group This two-part series will share the key elements to overall donor relations: finding and keeping your donors. Before we talk about finding new donors, you need to make sure you are keeping the ones you have. Don’t put more water into a leaky bucket! Donor retention statistics over
- [Nonprofit Grant Seeking: The Grantmaker's Perspective](https://givingusa.org/nonprofit-grant-seeking-the-grantmakers-perspective/) - By Dana Textoris, Managing Director at GrantsPlus Grant seeking is very important for most nonprofits. Organizations of all sizes rely on grants from foundations, government offices, and corporations to varying degrees, but any amount of support for your operations or programming is valuable. Effective grant seeking requires dedicated time, strategy, and resources to consistently bear
- [5 Ways to Make Your Fundraising Events More Inclusive](https://givingusa.org/5-ways-to-make-your-fundraising-events-more-inclusive/) - By Ally Orlando, Communications & Marketing at DonorPerfect Despite a steady incline in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion work in the nonprofit sector, experts say most still aren’t doing enough to ensure events are inclusive and accessible to everyone. “Organizations that don’t prioritize accommodations like these at their events convey the message that donors who have a
- [How to Connect with Local Businesses About Your Auction](https://givingusa.org/how-to-connect-with-local-businesses-about-your-auction/) - By Karrie Wozniak, Chief Marketing Officer at OneCause Holding a special event is a great way for your organization to generate fundraising proceeds and build awareness for your cause. Including an auction as part of this event can take this experience to the next level! When planning a fundraising auction, one of your nonprofit’s top priorities is
- [Decoding Donor-Advised Funds: From Data to Day-to-Day](https://givingusa.org/decoding-donor-advised-funds-from-data-to-day-to-day/) - By Keith Curtis, President of The Curtis Group Donor-advised funds (DAFs) began in the 1930s, but in recent years these funds have become the fastest growing vehicle in philanthropy. Giving USA recently released a highly anticipated Special Report on Donor-Advised Funds. You can access the full report on the Giving USA Foundation website. My colleague Victoria
- [5 Tips to Plan An Effective Nonprofit Board Retreat](https://givingusa.org/5-tips-to-plan-an-effective-nonprofit-board-retreat/) - By Aly Sterling, President & Founder at Aly Sterling Philanthropy Your nonprofit’s board is the motor that keeps your organization’s administrative operations going. When everyone is on the same page, your board functions like a well-oiled machine, efficiently driving your nonprofit toward its goals. However, when your board experiences disharmony or confusion, it can throw
- [Trends that Will Shape Philanthropy in 2022](https://givingusa.org/trends-that-will-shape-philanthropy-in-2022/) - By Jessica Browning, Principal and EVP at Winkler Group The last two years have been anything but predictable. Will 2022 be another aberration or will we return to pre-pandemic trends in giving? Below are nine trends we expect to shape philanthropy in the coming year, and how we will advise our clients to leverage
- [What new research tells us about how donors give in December (and year-round!)](https://givingusa.org/what-new-research-tells-us-about-how-donors-give-in-december-and-year-round/) - By Tim Sarrantonio, Director of Partnerships at Neon One The following is an advanced excerpt from the upcoming Neon One industry report entitled “Donors: Understanding The Future Of Individual Giving.” This report will examine the who, what, when, where, why, and how of individual donor behavior and the changes we have seen across the sector throughout
- [The Responsive Fundraising Framework You Need to Connect with Your Donors](https://givingusa.org/the-responsive-fundraising-framework-you-need-to-connect-with-your-donors/) - By Noah Barnett, Chief Marketing Officer at Virtuous How do you choose a new dentist, find a groomer for your newly adopted rescue dog, or purchase your first gas stove? For most of us, the answer is very different than it was twenty years ago. These days, we read reviews or solicit opinions from our friends
- [Fundraising Email Measurement in an Age of Digital Privacy](https://givingusa.org/fundraising-email-measurement-in-an-age-of-digital-privacy/) - By Jonathan Sills, VP Digital & New Media Strategy at TrueSense Consumer privacy has advanced enormously in the past five years. The pace of change appears to be increasing: 2016: The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) becomes law 2019: California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) becomes law May 2021: Apple launches iOS 14.6 that gives users
- [The Importance of Metrics and Dashboards for Your Planning](https://givingusa.org/the-importance-of-metrics-and-dashboards-for-your-planning/) - By Carrie Dahlquist, Director of Strategic Information Services at Campbell & Company Developing a set of metrics to drive and evaluate development work is challenging. Many of us struggle to find time to document work undertaken in the CRM, and sometimes, we are challenged to extract that data once it is entered. There’s also the issue, for
- [3 Ways to Design a Donation Experience That Will Improve Donor Retention](https://givingusa.org/3-ways-to-design-a-donation-experience-that-will-improve-donor-retention/) - By Abby Jarvis, Nonprofit Education Manager at Qgiv Did you know you can start retaining donors before they make their first gift? You can! Many donor retention strategies focus on what happens after a donor makes their gift. Thank-you notes and impact reports remind donors that their gift made a difference. Social media posts and longer
- [To niche or not to niche? That is the question.](https://givingusa.org/to-niche-or-not-to-niche-that-is-the-question/) - By Avrum Lapin and Ross Berkowitz of The Lapin Group The internet allows every person to be hyper-particular in what they are looking for—and less willing to settle for the less specific, or general. In the second part of the 20th century, whether it was I Love Lucy, The Fresh Prince of Bel Aire, or Seinfeld, when you showed
- [Developing a Shared Focus Donor Strategy to Overcome Political and Socioeconomic Divides](https://givingusa.org/developing-a-shared-focus-donor-strategy-to-overcome-political-and-socioeconomic-divides/) - By: Bobby Thalhimer, Senior Consultant at The Monument Group How we led the Virginia Funders Network to build a 100-member statewide network in 9 months, exceeding the member target by 100% and exceeding the revenue target by 30% At the start, we faced many hurdles. Two prior efforts to build statewide philanthropic networks in Virginia failed in their infancy. Virginia seemed
- [Take Me Out to the Ballgame!: a Comparison Between Fundraising and Baseball](https://givingusa.org/take-me-out-to-the-ballgame-a-comparison-between-fundraising-and-baseball/) - By Poonam Prasad, President at Prasad Consulting & Research By Janet Harris, Senior Consultant at Prasad Consulting & Research Now that fall is in the air, many of us turn our attention to America’s traditional pastime: baseball. While you’re daydreaming of your hometown team making the playoffs, ask yourself, “What
- [Adapting Your Fundraising Plans Despite Delta Variant Challenges](https://givingusa.org/adapting-your-fundraising-plans-despite-delta-variant-challenges/) - By Missy Gale, CFRE, President & CEO at M. Gale & Associates The new surge of Covid-19 cases across our nation has nonprofits scrambling [again] over in-person fundraising events. Most of us had become comfortable gathering in person again, and organizations had committed to moving forward with in-person special events this fall. However, as of August 15th, only 50% of the U.S. population
- [How to Automate Fundraising Communications](https://givingusa.org/how-to-automate-fundraising-communications/) - By Ally Orlando, Marketing Communications Specialist at DonorPerfect Tips that make fundraising marketing a breeze Just like in your personal relationships, it’s best practice to give as much as you take from your donors and listen as much as you talk. Good communication is essential to fundraising success. Automation tools can effectively minimize your time spent
- [Opportunities and Challenges of Emotional Response Giving](https://givingusa.org/opportunities-and-challenges-of-emotional-response-giving/) - By Suzanne Hilser-Wiles, President at GG+A Your organization just got an influx of new donors…but how do you keep them? Across the globe, giving was one of the ways millions of people responded to the pandemic. In a moment that felt hopeless and overwhelming, helping others offered people a way to do something positive and
- [Navigating Greener Pastures in Challenging Times](https://givingusa.org/navigating-greener-pastures-in-challenging-times/) - By David H. King, President & CEO at Alexander Haas Despite the pandemic, development officers continue to leave relatively secure positions to take on new chief development roles, amidst the upheaval in the institutions they are joining. Over the past few months, several colleagues and friends have reached out for advice on how to navigate
- [Donor Engagement and Retention Techniques: Invest time now to solidify donor relationships](https://givingusa.org/donor-engagement-and-retention-techniques-invest-time-now-to-solidify-donor-relationships/) - By Andy Canada, Senior Consultant and Director of Data Analytics at Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates While we need to work to engage all of our donors, many nonprofits have experienced the benefit of an influx of new donors in response to the pandemic’s challenges. What can you do to engage and retain these new
- [Encouraging News in the Latest Giving USA Report](https://givingusa.org/encouraging-news-in-the-latest-giving-usa-report/) - And, a shift in donor giving trends emerges By Angela White and Jeff Small As a Giving Institute member firm, this is always an exciting time of year for us as we get to help refine, interpret, and unveil the results of Giving USA’s annual estimates of giving. The release of this rich data analysis
- [Perspectives from the Chair of The Giving Institute on <em>Giving USA 2014</em>](https://givingusa.org/perspectives-from-the-chair-about-giving-usa-2014/) - First, one unfinished piece of business from last year: When Giving USA 2013 was released, I wrote in this "Perspectives" column that saber-rattling from Washington about doing away with the tax deduction for charitable donations bore watching. For now, it remains intact, but as I promised, the Giving Institute will continue its vigilance and report
- [<em>Giving USA 2014</em>: Implications for Higher Education](https://givingusa.org/giving-usa-2014-implications-for-higher-education/) - Total Giving In total, Giving USA 2014 estimates that $335 billion was given to charity in the United States last year by individuals, corporations, and foundations. This is the fourth consecutive year of growth in giving, following what was an unprecedented two-year drop in giving during 2008 and 2009. Most encouragingly, this total puts the
- [Perspectives on <em>Giving USA 2014</em> from the Chair of the Giving USA Foundation](https://givingusa.org/perspectives-on-giving-usa-2014-from-the-chair-of-the-giving-usa-foundation/) - I would like to take the chair’s prerogative to bring home a point I think sometimes gets lost when it comes to Americans’ donations to our country’s philanthropic organizations. To wit, it is commonly perceived that as the stock market goes, so goes giving. This is true to a point, but let’s stop and look

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## Supporters

- [Green Oak Consulting Group](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=green-oak-consulting-group-2)
- [Giving Docs](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=giving-docs)
- [Wendy S. McGrady](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=wendy-mcgrady)
- [Alexander "Sandy" Macnab, FAHP, CFRE](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=alexander-sandy-macnab-fahp-cfre)
- [Stelter Company](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=stelter-company)
- [Maree G. Bullock](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=maree-g-bullock)
- [KCI-Ketchum Canada](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=kci-ketchum-canada-inc)
- [Don Souhrada](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=don-souhrada)
- [Kindsight](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=kindsight)
- [TIAA-Kaspick](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=tiaa-kaspick)
- [Cramer & Associates](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=cramer-associates)
- [Margaret and Tom Mesaros](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=margaret-and-tom-mesaros)
- [Orr Group, Inc.](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=orr-group-inc)
- [Katz Sapper & Miller](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=katz-sapper-miller)
- [TWB Fundraising](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=twb-fundraising)
- [Parisleaf](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=parisleaf)
- [JF Smith Group Inc.](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=jf-smith-group-inc)
- [Changing Our World](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=changing-our-world)
- [DAFgiving360](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=dafgiving360)
- [Bloomerang](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=bloomerang)
- [Huron Consulting Group](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=huron-consulting)
- [Johnson, Grossnickle & Associates](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=johnson-grossnickle-associates-2)
- [The Biedermann Group](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=the-biedermann-group)
- [Dunham+Company](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=dunham-and-company)
- [DonorSearch](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=donorsearch)
- [Accordant](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=accordant)
- [OneCause](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=onecause)
- [Ruotolo Associates](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=ruotolo-associates)
- [Beazley Foundation Inc.](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=beazley-foundation-inc)
- [Hallett Philanthropy](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=hallett-philanthropy)
- [Fissinger Fundraising, LLC](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=fissinger-fundraising-llc)
- [Arthur Alley Associated](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=arthur-alley-associated-llc)
- [Byrne Pelofsky + Associates LLC](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=byrne-pelofsky-associates)
- [Winkler Group](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=winkler-group)
- [Grants Plus](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=grants-plus)
- [StoryCause](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=storycause)
- [M. Gale & Associates](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=m-gale-associates)
- [The Angeletti Group, LLC](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=the-angeletti-group-llc)
- [John Glier](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=john-glier)
- [Carlson Fundraising](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=carlson-fund-raising-llc)
- [Salesforce](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=salesforce-org)
- [Ryan Woroniecki](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=ryan-woroniecki)
- [The Curtis Group](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=curtis-group)
- [Bridge Philanthropic Consulting](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=bridge-philanthropic-consulting)
- [Gail Perry Group](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=gail-perry-group)
- [Windmill Hill Consulting](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=windmill-hill-consulting)
- [Benefactor Group](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=benefactor)
- [CCS Fundraising](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=ccs-fundraising)
- [BWF](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=bwf)
- [Virtuous](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=virtuous-2)
- [MCI USA](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=mci-usa)
- [AskRight](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=askright)
- [Angela Hodson](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=angela-hodson)
- [Nonprofit Connect](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=nonprofit-connect)
- [Nathan Chappell](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=nathan-chappell)
- [Joyaux Associates](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=joyaux-associates-2)
- [Community Brands](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=community-brands)
- [Dini Spheris](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=dini-spheris)
- [Lindauer](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=lindauer)
- [Heaton Smith Group](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=heaton-smith-group)
- [The Alford Group](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=the-alford-group)
- [Wade Street Group at Morgan Stanley](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=wade-street-group-at-morgan-stanley)
- [The Oram Group, Inc.](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=the-oram-group-inc)
- [Shawn Olds](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=shawn-olds)
- [Ohio History Foundation](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=ohio-history-foundation)
- [Mary Kaufman-Cranney](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=mary-kaufman-cranney)
- [Marion Area Chamber Non-Profit Executives Council](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=marion-area-chamber-non-profit-executives-council)
- [M. Anne Murphy](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=m-anne-murphy)
- [Katie Lord](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=katie-lord)
- [Jay and Christie Love (Schwab Charitable Fund)](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=jay-love)
- [Global Advancement, LLC](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=global-advancement)
- [Giving Tech Labs](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=giving-tech-labs)
- [France Hoang](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=france-hoang)
- [Falk Consulting LLC](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=falk-consulting-llc)
- [Edith Falk](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=edith-falk)
- [Eric Okimoto](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=eric-okimoto)
- [Development Counsel](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=development-counsel)
- [David & Patricia Shufflebarger](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=david-patricia-shufflebarger)
- [Craig and Anne Sondalle](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=senter-group-inc)
- [Community Foundation](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=community-foundation)
- [Kellogg Organization, LLC](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=the-kellogg-organization)
- [Futurus Group](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=futurus-group)
- [Benevon](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=benevon)
- [Phoenix Philanthropy](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=phoenix-philanthropy)
- [Blackbaud](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=blackbaud)
- [boodleAI](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=boodleai)
- [Marts and Lundy](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=marts-and-lundy)
- [Richner & Richner](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=richner-richner)
- [Nancy L. Raybin](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=nancy-raybin)
- [Hank Goldstein](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=hank-goldstein)
- [Crescendo Interactive](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=crescendo-interactive)
- [Molly Hansen](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=molly-hansen)
- [Laura MacDonald, CFRE](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=laura-macdonald)
- [Jamie Phillippe](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=jamie-phillippe)
- [Evans Consulting Group LLC](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=evans-consulting-group-llc)
- [Diane Knoepke](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=diane-knoepke)
- [ClearView CRM](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=clearview-crm)
- [Bill Tedesco](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=bill-tedesco)
- [Arnoult & Associates, Inc.](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=arnoult-associates-inc)
- [Carlton & Company](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=carlton-company-2)
- [Alexander Macnab](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=alexander-macnab)
- [Jeffrey Byrne + Associates, Inc.](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=jeffrey-byrne-associates-inc)
- [Campbell and Company](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=campbell-and-company)
- [Stead Family Foundation](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=stead-family-foundation)
- [Presbyterian Association of Homes and Services for the Aging](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=presbyterian-association-of-homes-and-services-for-the-aging)
- [Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services Foundation](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=ohio-presbyterian-retirement-services-foundation)
- [Fidelity Charitable](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=fidelity-charitable)
- [William Carlton](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=william-carlton)
- [Robert Evans](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=robert-evans)
- [Theresa A. Shubbeck](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=theresa-a-shubbeck)
- [Melissa Brown & Associates, LLC](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=melissa-brown-associates-llc)
- [Bruce Wenger](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=bruce-wenger)
- [Avrum Lapin](https://givingusa.org/?supporter=avrum-lapin)

## Testimonials

- [Susan Ingmire](https://givingusa.org/?testimonial=susan-ingmire) - "I often talk about the Giving USA Executive Summary information with family foundation and nonprofit boards. The data is invaluable in building knowledge and deconstructing myths about giving. It's an essential part of my toolkit for building a culture of philanthropy."
- [Amy Comer](https://givingusa.org/?testimonial=amy-comer) - "Giving USA is critical resource in tracking trends in the sector, in particular because of the long-term view it provides. In addition to giving us a rich view both of fluctuations in giving sources and distribution patterns, it also provides an estimate for giving to religious organizations. This is important because it can often be
- [Eileen Heisman](https://givingusa.org/?testimonial=eileen-heisman) - "Giving USA is the main source for our industry's most reliable charitable giving information. They identify trends, provide great data and embrace the spirit for how Americans engage in making the world a better place. Every philanthropic professional I know uses the data and quotes it regularly. I eagerly await to see what their findings
- [Heidi B. Jark](https://givingusa.org/?testimonial=heidi-b-jark) - "I look forward to the Giving USA report every year to better help me work with not for profit organizations and our private foundation clients. The data helps me to better understand the philanthropic world around me and, many times, confirms what I see on a day to day basis. We can better serve our
- [Carl G. Hamm, CFRE](https://givingusa.org/?testimonial=carl-g-hamm-cfre) - "Each summer, the philanthropic world eagerly anticipates the annual release of Giving USA. Thanks to the Giving Institute, we practitioners can share in this benchmarking moment together, ponder trends in giving across the charitable sector and contemplate how we might modify our fund-raising programs for success in the year ahead. Over the years, it has

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://givingusa.org/category/uncategorized/)
- [Insights](https://givingusa.org/category/insights/)
- [Events](https://givingusa.org/category/events/)
- [Annual Report](https://givingusa.org/category/annual-report/)

## Tags

- [Donor-Advised Funds](https://givingusa.org/tag/donor-advised-funds/)
- [Philanthropy](https://givingusa.org/tag/philanthropy/)
- [Fundraising](https://givingusa.org/tag/fundraising/)
- [Donor Retention](https://givingusa.org/tag/donor-retention/)
- [fundraising struggles](https://givingusa.org/tag/fundraising-struggles/)
- [grantmaking](https://givingusa.org/tag/grantmaking/)
- [Fundraising Best Practices](https://givingusa.org/tag/fundraising-best-practices/)
- [Fundraising Strategy](https://givingusa.org/tag/fundraising-strategy/)
- [Donor Engagement](https://givingusa.org/tag/donor-engagement/)
- [Fundraising Effectiveness Project](https://givingusa.org/tag/fundraising-effectiveness-project/)
- [chief development officer](https://givingusa.org/tag/chief-development-officer/)
- [development professional](https://givingusa.org/tag/development-professional/)
- [long term success](https://givingusa.org/tag/long-term-success/)
- [Giving Strategy](https://givingusa.org/tag/giving-strategy/)
- [Thought Leadership](https://givingusa.org/tag/thought-leadership/)
- [automation](https://givingusa.org/tag/automation/)
- [transformational fundraising](https://givingusa.org/tag/transformational-fundraising/)
- [COVID challenges](https://givingusa.org/tag/covid-challenges/)
- [fundraising success](https://givingusa.org/tag/fundraising-success/)
- [Development Budget](https://givingusa.org/tag/development-budget/)
- [Overcome division](https://givingusa.org/tag/overcome-division/)
- [common ground](https://givingusa.org/tag/common-ground/)
- [Unique Value Proposition](https://givingusa.org/tag/unique-value-proposition/)
- [Be the First](https://givingusa.org/tag/be-the-first/)
- [Be the Best](https://givingusa.org/tag/be-the-best/)
- [Be the Cheapest](https://givingusa.org/tag/be-the-cheapest/)
- [Communication Strategy](https://givingusa.org/tag/communication-strategy/)
- [Engaging Marketing](https://givingusa.org/tag/engaging-marketing/)
- [Embracing Metrics](https://givingusa.org/tag/embracing-metrics/)
- [SMARTIE Goals](https://givingusa.org/tag/smartie-goals/)
- [Establish Reports](https://givingusa.org/tag/establish-reports/)
- [Email Marketing](https://givingusa.org/tag/email-marketing/)
- [Consumer Privacy](https://givingusa.org/tag/consumer-privacy/)
- [Data Security](https://givingusa.org/tag/data-security/)
- [Donor Connection](https://givingusa.org/tag/donor-connection/)
- [End of Year Giving](https://givingusa.org/tag/end-of-year-giving/)
- [GivingTuesday](https://givingusa.org/tag/givingtuesday/)
- [Data Analysis](https://givingusa.org/tag/data-analysis/)
- [2022](https://givingusa.org/tag/2022/)
- [Predictions](https://givingusa.org/tag/predictions/)
- [Board Retreat](https://givingusa.org/tag/board-retreat/)
- [Board Meetings](https://givingusa.org/tag/board-meetings/)
- [Planning Retreats](https://givingusa.org/tag/planning-retreats/)
- [DAF Trends](https://givingusa.org/tag/daf-trends/)
- [Auction](https://givingusa.org/tag/auction/)
- [Fundraising Event](https://givingusa.org/tag/fundraising-event/)
- [Donor Relations](https://givingusa.org/tag/donor-relations/)
- [Inclusive](https://givingusa.org/tag/inclusive/)
- [Accessibility](https://givingusa.org/tag/accessibility/)
- [Events](https://givingusa.org/tag/events/)
- [Grants](https://givingusa.org/tag/grants/)
- [Tips for Nonprofits](https://givingusa.org/tag/tips-for-nonprofits/)
- [Research Tools](https://givingusa.org/tag/research-tools/)
- [Strategic Communication](https://givingusa.org/tag/strategic-communication/)
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Top Sites>Giving USA | A public service initiative of the Giving Institute

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Top SitesGiving USA | A public service initiative of the Giving Institute
