Fundraising Talks
News and updates from the USM Office of
Advancement Research

Upcoming Events

 

Deciphering 990s – what to find and where to find it!

When: January 31, 2024, 12 pm – 1 pm

 

Webinar: Doing More with Less: Prospect Development in Small Shops

When: February 28, 2024, 11 am

 

Apra Fundamentals: Prospect Research

When: March 11-15, 2024

Tell Me More...

Looking for funding opportunities? We've identified a few funds that might be useful to you. Visit the links below to learn more about the requirements and deadlines for these opportunities. 


Vanguard Charitable

Deadline: February 23, 2024

The Philanthropic Impact Fund


Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Systems for Action: Systems and Services Research to Address Systemic Racism

Deadline: February 7, 2024


AccessLex Institute

Deadline: March 1, 2024 LOI

Diversity Pathway Intervention Grant Program

 

The Herb Block Foundation Deadline: February 1, 2024, LOI

Pathways Out of Poverty


Contact Us


Sapna Varghese

Director of Advancement Research

301.445.2709


Lois Baker

Prospect Researcher


Bethany Jones

Office Clerk

301.445.1950

Letter from the Director

Happy New Year and welcome to January’s Fundraising Talks. We have successfully entered another year and look forward to helping you advance philanthropy and fundraising at the USM campuses. The fundraising landscape in higher education and other industries has been evolving in the past year, and it will not be any different in 2024. As in past years, we will see a continuation of trends from 2023 this year. In the United States, philanthropy will be influenced by factors such as the 2024 presidential election, diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, the rise of artificial intelligence, and newer technologies.


As fundraising professionals strive to facilitate donors and prospective donors in making meaningful and impactful contributions to our organizations, it's important to understand the latest trends that will likely shape the philanthropy landscape. In 2023, staffing, economic conditions, fundraising diversification, and political polarization were listed as trends in a Chronicle of Philanthropy article. Many of these 2023 trends will remain in 2024; however, there are some newer 2024 trends that should be added to the list as well. The 2024 trends that fundraisers need to watch were listed in a recent article and include the following:


1. Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI will continue to transform the fundraising landscape as nonprofits gain a better understanding of how it can help make fundraising successful.

2. Donor-Advised Funds: DAF gifts continue to grow. Fundraisers should encourage DAF donors to make gifts. In 2022, DAF assets reached $228.89 billion, the second-highest value on record after 2021.

3. Recruiting New Young Donors: Fundraising should include donors from younger generations, requiring the use of newer strategies to attract and engage younger donors.

4. Polarization: In recent months, many political events have influenced decisions of major gift donors to higher education, and it will continue to be a bigger issue this year, as we are in an election year. Fundraisers are aware of this and should create plans to deal with challenging conversations with donors.

5. Staff Retention: Organizations are facing challenges in retaining staff and/or filling existing vacancies. They will have to create ways to help and attract talented development professionals.


Additionally, nonprofits are familiar with other factors that might influence fundraising, such as social media and the increasing demand for transparency and accountability. Furthermore, check out the 2024 Higher Education Trend Watch by Educause, which provides more insights into what may shape the industry in the future. The number one trend listed in the Educause report is the increasing need for data security and protection against threats to personal privacy. Another one that directly impacts fundraising is the call for data-informed decision-making and reporting.


We hope these trends and insights will provide you with the information needed to refine your fundraising strategy for 2024. We wish you a highly successful 2024. As always, please feel free to reach out to us with questions, comments, or any assistance with fundraising research!


Best Regards,

Sapna and USM Advancement Research Team

Join the USM Forum!


Join the USM's Forum on the Personify CommUnity platform! USM Forum is a virtual space where colleagues working in advancement (fundraising, research, alumni engagement, marketing and communications, etc.) across the System can meet and discuss current trends in their fields, ask for professional advice, and share whatever else is on their minds. 

 

The USM Forum has org charts for each institution as well as past recordings of USM webinars that you may have missed. Once you have signed up for an account, you can view and contribute to the Resources section – maybe you want to share an event invitation, a timely news article, or a Giving Day appeal video you’re proud of!

 

We hope that you will join us on USM Forum and that this will become a valuable resource where we can share, collaborate, and learn from one another.

 

In order to begin using USM Forum, please click here. Select “Register” and use your USM email to create an account. Once you can access the site, create a profile and begin posting and interacting. Have fun!

How Fundraisers Can Use Generative AI Ethically and Responsibly

Fundraisers are increasingly turning to generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT to simplify donor communications and craft grant proposals. Fundraisers using AI tools report significant time savings and improved content quality, with some experiencing a 50 percent reduction in time spent on tasks. Beyond development offices, AI-powered chatbots and screening tools are being employed to answer questions, assess job applicants, and manage donor communications. However, the article highlights ethical concerns, including the potential amplification of biases and the risk of exposing sensitive donor information. This article from Connections APRA has several suggestions on how to address these AI concerns. Read more here.

Ten Things to Give Up for a Happier New Year

In this article from CASE, blogger, book author, and life coach Marc Chernoff suggests ten things we should give up to be happier in 2024.


  1. Busyness
  2. Thinking the perfect time will come.
  3. Needless drama.
  4. The desire for everything you don’t have.
  5. Worrying about the past.
  6. Worrying about what everyone thinks and says about you.
  7. A life path that doesn’t feel rewarding.
  8. Second-guessing.
  9. Negative attitudes.
  10. Controlling the uncontrollable.


To read why Marc Chernoff thinks we need to leave these things in 2023, click here.

Nonprofit Trends That Will Dominate 2024

In 2024, Forbers Nonproft Council members predict that the nonprofit sector will see several significant trends. Their top predictions include a heightened focus on nonprofit collaboration to address urgent global issues, the growing role of community-based organizations as trusted messengers, integrative thinking for holistic problem-solving, increased use of consultants as subject matter experts, and the continued dominance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance fundraising and operational efficiency. Click here to read the full list.

Why Are DAFs So Popular? The Appeal of Donor-Advised Funds

The popularity of donor-advised funds is on the rise, with donors giving $52.16 billion in DAF grants to nonprofits in 2023, marking a 9 percent increase from the previous year. DAFs enable donors to create a lasting charitable legacy by providing a dedicated platform for continuous, life-long giving, and potential growth of funds through investment. DAFs offer tax incentives and allow donors to claim deductions even before granting funds to nonprofits. Compared to starting a private foundation, DAFs are easier to open and maintain and require less administrative burden. Nonprofits can easily accept DAF grant donations by informing donors of their acceptance and providing tools for easy DAF grant requests. Overall, understanding and leveraging the benefits of DAFs can be a valuable fundraising strategy for nonprofits. Click here to learn more about DAFs.

The Power of a Diverse Donor Portfolio in Your Annual Giving Program

To meet growing institutional goals, advancement leaders need to tap into untapped potential from non-alumni, such as parents of alumni, community members, and dedicated faculty and staff. Diversifying your donor base is crucial for a more stable stream of support. Engaging parents of alumni, who are deeply connected to the institution through their children, involves initiating communication early and understanding their motivations. Community members, representing over two-thirds of US adults inclined to support charitable causes, can be engaged by aligning campaigns with their values and by offering tangible benefits to the local area. Faculty and staff possess an intimate understanding of the institution's mission and can be valuable donors - consider offering various giving options and recognition programs for faculty and staff. Engaging these non-alumni audiences can strengthen your organization's financial foundation and foster a deeper sense of community. Click here to read more.