GivingTuesday 2024 saw a record-breaking $3.6 billion in donations, marking a 16 percent increase from the previous year. Participation also surged, with an estimated 36.1 million people involved, up 7 percent from 2023. This growth outpaced both Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, which rose by 10-11 percent. The event also saw significant international involvement, with Canada raising over $16 million, a 19.5 percent increase. Donations were not limited to money—12.9 million people gave goods, 9.2 million volunteered, and 16.6 million advocated for causes. Platforms like DonorsChoose and GlobalGiving reported strong participation, though some, like GlobalGiving, saw a slight decline in donations. Despite higher advertising costs, the event's success signals strong momentum for year-end charitable giving.

In his keynote at NonProfit POWER, Erik Daubert, a nonprofit management expert, outlined key trends shaping fundraising today. He emphasized that philanthropy grows with assets, noting that charitable giving is closely tied to economic stability. Millennials are becoming significant philanthropic contributors, with their average household donations second only to boomers. Daubert also highlighted the importance of engaging diverse donors and fostering relationships based on shared values. Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are growing in popularity, and nonprofits should integrate them into their strategies. Finally, he addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence in fundraising, urging nonprofits to adopt AI responsibly to enhance efficiency, personalization, and donor engagement without compromising trust. Click here to read the five philanthropic factors from Daubert.

This article from CCS Fundraising discusses how nonprofits can leverage associate boards to cultivate the next generation of donors, especially with the upcoming "Great Wealth Transfer," where Baby Boomers are expected to pass on $84 trillion. With Millennials and Gen Z becoming increasingly philanthropic, associate boards—often composed of younger volunteers—serve as a valuable tool for engaging these groups. The article outlines five key steps to launching or revitalizing an associate board: defining the initiative's purpose, securing champions for the project, ensuring fiscal commitment, embracing the opportunity for leadership and networking, and managing smooth transitions for board members. A case study of the Nashville Symphony highlights how an associate board can drive revenue, increase community engagement, and help foster future leaders within an organization. Click here to read more.

Despite economic challenges like inflation, donor-advised funds continue to play a key role in American philanthropy in 2023. While grants from DAFs slightly declined to $54.77 billion—marking the second-highest total on record—contributions fell more sharply to $59.43 billion, reverting to pre-pandemic levels. However, the payout rate remained strong at nearly 24 percent, showcasing donors’ ongoing commitment to funding nonprofits. Over the past five years, DAF grant growth has averaged 17.8 percent annually, highlighting the resilience of DAFs in adapting to economic conditions. As NPT President Holly Stubbing notes, DAFs provide stability to the philanthropic ecosystem, proving to be an essential tool for charitable giving.