Key Trends in Philanthropy for 2025 - Lisa Gregory
With 2025 well underway, the following articles and reports provide a snapshot of key trends in philanthropy for the coming year.
1. Exploring the Philanthropic Landscape
Despite recent political and economic uncertainties, CCS Fundraising’s report shows donors have been steadfast supporters of nonprofits. In 2023*, Americans gave more than $557 billion to charities. This level of giving is at an all-time high in current dollars and is higher than pre-pandemic levels. Individuals remained the biggest source of giving and donor-advised funds are among the fastest growing form of giving (see Giving USA infographic).
*2024 report draws from 2023 data.
2. Creating a Multigenerational Donor Base to Capitalize on the Historic Wealth Transfer
Over the next 20 years, as this NonProfitPro article points out, approximately $84 trillion is expected to be passed down from older generations. This shift is a critical opportunity to examine multigenerational donor strategies and cultivate younger audiences as part of long-term planning. This handy CCS audience chartfeatures giving motivation by generation. Boomers give to well-established organizations while Millennial and Gen Z donors value direct social impact and engage with causes via digital platforms.
3. Six Ways AI is Transforming the Nonprofit Sector
The adoption of artificial intelligence continues to grow rapidly. This evergreen CCS article discusses how AI can enhance fundraising practices, including giving predictions, audience segmentation, content creation, and data insights. Check out Part II and III of this series (linked in the article) for more practical examples, ethical questions, and potential risks for donor relationships.
