Fundraising Talks – April 2026

Welcome to the April 2026 edition of Fundraising Talks. Spring has finally arrived, bringing with it a sense of renewal and momentum. At the beginning of April, Artemis II launched into space on a historic journey around the Moon. While this mission was primarily funded by the federal government, its success relied heavily on public and private partnerships and investments. Industry leaders such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin played key roles in building Artemis, alongside contributions from international agencies and partners. This mission is a powerful example of how government funding and philanthropic and private-sector vehicles can work together in support of a shared goal.


The launch of Artemis II also highlights the important role of higher education. Several universities partnered with NASA in areas such as tracking systems, radiation protection, and laser technology. Moments like this remind us how education empowers individuals to advance ambitious missions and underscores the relevance of philanthropy in supporting innovation and discovery across disciplines.

April is National Volunteer Month, which provides a perfect opportunity to recognize the volunteers who serve your institutions in so many ways. It may also be a good time to consider launching new fundraising initiatives driven by volunteer engagement. Insight into volunteer and donor motivations comes from a Chronicle of Philanthropy article, “Why Americans Give: New Research Finds 5 Profiles.” This article draws on findings from The Generosity Commission’s 2024 report, Everyday Actions, Extraordinary Potential: The Power of Giving and Volunteering, as well as a 2026 study published in Nonprofit Management & Leadership, a peer-reviewed academic journal. The study found that Americans’ generosity varies based on aspirations, motivations, and demographic characteristics, and it identified five distinct profiles of generous individuals:

Change-minded hopefuls: Representing 42 percent of respondents, this group is largely composed of women and lower-income individuals. While many are unable to give financially, they have a strong desire to help others.

Flexible moderates: Making up 35 percent of respondents, this group holds neutral views on political and religious motivations and is willing to help in various ways when opportunities arise.

Values-driven skeptics: About 11 percent of respondents fall into this category. They tend to be older, conservative, religious, and male, and they are more cautious about how their donations are used.

Status seekers: This group accounts for 9 percent of respondents and includes wealthier, educated, and religious individuals. They are active donors and volunteers, often motivated by personal benefits and social recognition.

Frustrated activists: Roughly 4 percent of participants are passionate about causes and hold liberal values, but they are less financially stable and prefer forms of engagement other than monetary giving.

This information is helpful for understanding the different ways people express generosity and can be used to develop more targeted strategies for engaging donors and volunteers. While each group is distinct, all are willing to contribute through time, service, or financial support. Once institutions segment donors and prospective donors, they can engage each group more effectively by appealing to their specific motivations and preferences.

Another recent study from DAFgiving360™, one of the largest national providers of donor-advised fund accounts, offers new insight into donor volunteer trends. The data shows that 80 percent of donors volunteer at least once a year, while 89 percent give to charity on a recurring basis. Donors also regularly evaluate their philanthropic strategies, with 85 percent reconsidering how much they give and 78 percent reassessing which charities they support each year. Notably, 66 percent of DAF donors volunteer at least once a month, compared with 44 percent of donors without DAFs. The report highlights three key insights:

DAF donors are deeply connected to the causes they support.
DAF donors are strategic and research-driven in their giving.
DAFs help strengthen long-term philanthropic impact.

Donors who volunteer regularly are also more likely to make generous charitable gifts. The findings serve as a reminder to review existing DAF donors and steward these relationships more intentionally to deepen engagement. Development officers can thoughtfully incorporate DAFs into fundraising strategies to attract these donors and support meaningful, long-term philanthropy.

I hope you are enjoying the sunny days and beautiful weather. As always, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions, comments, or requests for assistance with fundraising research.

Best Regards,
Sapna and USM Advancement Research Team
Read more in this issue of Fundraising Talks>>