Fundraising Talks
News and updates from the USM Office of
Advancement Research
| | |
This article from CASE discusses how institutions should rethink the donor pipeline, as data increasingly shows that young alumni care deeply about philanthropy, but often don’t trust their alma maters or connect with traditional fundraising tactics. Instead, these alumni are motivated by values, impact, and shared purpose. To rebuild trust and revitalize the donor pipeline, we must shift from asking alumni to "give to" their institutions, and instead invite them to "give through" us and amplify causes they care about. Additionally, institutions should rethink unrestricted asks and think experientially instead of transactionally. CASE also suggests leveraging the fact that alumni are telling us what causes they care about. Click here to read more and to read CASE's suggestions on moving forward with rethinking the donor pipeline.
| | This article from FORBES discusses how philanthropy can evolve without government funding. As global aid budgets shrink, the future of philanthropy depends on how quickly and strategically leaders can adapt. With U.S. foreign aid cuts threatening high-impact programs, funders must urgently identify the most critical gaps and coordinate efforts to avoid duplication or neglect. The solution lies in donor engagement and building long-term relationships based on trust, values, and personalized communication. Collaboration across organizations and sectors, much like what happened during the COVID-19 response, will be essential to scale impact. Above all, flexibility, speed, and innovation will define success in this new era of philanthropy. | | | |
New tax and spending legislation signed on July 4 introduces major changes to charitable giving incentives that will affect everyday, mid-level, major, and corporate donors. Starting in 2026, a universal charitable deduction will allow non-itemizers to deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint filers), creating new opportunities for donor engagement. Meanwhile, itemizers face a new 0.5 percent adjusted gross income (AGI) giving floor and a lower 35 percent cap on deduction value. These changes may lead to bunched giving and increased use of donor-advised funds. Corporate donors will also be affected by a new 1 percent AGI floor, potentially disrupting consistent year-to-year giving. Nonprofits are encouraged to prepare now with segmented messaging, strategic planning for year-end 2025, and new donor education campaigns to adapt and thrive in the evolving philanthropic landscape. Click here to read the full article.
| | | |
The GivingTuesday report, The State of Generosity in 2024–2025, reveals $2.3 trillion in global giving in 2024. Of that total, $1.5 trillion came directly from individuals, with $905 billion in remittances, a reminder that personal connections and informal giving are central to global philanthropy. The report highlights five key takeaways for nonprofits:
- Individuals Power Philanthropy – Most giving comes from individuals, not institutions, and includes formal donations, remittances, and informal gifts.
- Loss of Government Aid Is a Reminder to Diversify Revenue Streams – Major cuts to government funding signal the urgency of expanding individual donor bases.
- Trust in Nonprofits Remains High – Across countries and ideologies, nonprofits are still viewed as credible, values-driven leaders.
- Community Builds Generosity – Strong social ties and civic engagement correlate with higher giving, especially in countries like India and Kenya.
- Don’t Overlook Non-Donors As Never Donors – People often give in multiple ways (time, money, items), so every form of engagement can be a path to financial support.
Nonprofits should focus on deepening relationships, fostering trust, and designing flexible engagement strategies to build resilience amid funding shifts. Click here to read the full article.
| | | |
This article from The Helen Brown Group discusses the Form 990, and how it can provide transparency into nonprofit operations and finances, but also serve as a goldmine for prospect researchers.
Here’s how to make the most of it:
Type of Nonprofit
Line 1 of the header shows if you’re looking at a public nonprofit (Form 990) or a private foundation (Form 990-PF), with the latter offering more detailed grantmaking and asset information.
Contact Information and Fiscal/Filing Year
The top of the form lists key contact details and the organization’s fiscal year, which helps determine when the form was filed and offers context for the data.
Mission Statement and Grantmaking Guidelines
Parts I and III often contain mission statements, while Part XV of the PF version may include grant application instructions and funding preferences.
Foundation Assets
Box I shows the fair market value of total assets, which can be used to estimate a private foundation’s giving potential (typically 5 percent of assets annually).
Who’s Who: Leadership, Board Connections, and Compensation
Part VII reveals the organization’s key personnel and their compensation, offering valuable insight into connections and influence.
Contributions TO the Foundation
Schedule B lists major contributors who give $5,000 or more, including individuals (often trustees or family members) whose gifts may represent their largest known donations.
It’s About the Story, Not Just the Numbers
When combined with other tools, the 990 tells a deeper story about a donor’s behavior, values, and affiliations, making it a vital resource for donor research and engagement strategy.
| | |
An estimated $84.4 trillion in wealth is expected to transfer over the next 20 years, mostly to heirs but with a significant portion going to charities. While today’s centers of wealth are well known, the real opportunity lies in identifying where wealth will emerge next. Advisors who recognize rising affluence early, before milestones like company sales or liquidity events hit the news, gain a major advantage. Some high-impact U.S. counties are already known hubs, but others show surprising potential for future wealth growth. In many states, a few counties account for a large share of expected $2M+ wealth transfers, offering efficient, targeted opportunities for advisors. Focusing on these concentrated areas can maximize impact and outreach in the coming wealth transfer era. Click here to read more.
| | | | |
