Fundraising Talks – February 2026

Welcome to the February 2026 edition of Fundraising Talks. I hope all of you stayed warm and enjoyed last month’s snowy days. Philanthropy and fundraising have grown tremendously over the years—from early experiments with online giving and social media campaigns to today’s sophisticated analytical tools and artificial intelligence that help us uncover insights and deliver tangible results. Tools, operations, and policies may evolve, but one constant remains: data. Data has always been central to shaping strategy and achieving fundraising success, and its value continues to increase as we use it more efficiently to make informed, data-driven decisions.

Advancement professionals have long relied on both data and relationships to work strategically and achieve fundraising and campaign goals. It is no surprise to see a growing dependence on technology and AI to enhance how we use data in our daily work. Data plays a critical role at every stage of the fundraising cycle, from identifying and qualifying prospects to stewarding long‑standing donors. Advancement services, in particular, depend on strong data to support predictive analytics and design personalized engagement strategies. As part of a five-part series on 2026 fundraising trends from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, several emerging themes stand out as especially relevant for our work. Here are a few we can begin putting into practice:

Integrate AI into stewardship. Fundraisers can use tools like ChatGPT or Claude to draft thoughtful, tailored messages that help foster stronger donor connections.
Recognize that fundraising decisions are increasingly data-driven. Low-quality or incomplete data often creates roadblocks to meaningful insights. Investing in improved data hygiene and internal processes is essential for strategic planning.

Capitalize on mid-level giving opportunities. By clearly defining and segmenting your mid-level donors, you can cultivate them more effectively and help guide their progression toward major giving.

Adopt giving models that deepen donor connection. Donors are using a wider range of channels to give, which means organizations must make it easier to accept DAF contributions, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), and other emerging forms of support.

Diversify funding sources to increase resilience. By understanding your current funding mix and exploring new opportunities, your organization will be better prepared to weather uncertainty in 2026 and beyond.

As we look ahead, keeping pace with the trends shaping philanthropy will help us navigate challenges and plan proactively for the future. Even as donor behaviors shift and new tools emerge, the core principles of building trust and nurturing relationships remain at the heart of successful fundraising. These fundamentals will continue to guide advancement professionals in creating positive outcomes and meeting ambitious goals.

I wish you success as we continue forward into 2026. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or requests for assistance with fundraising research!

Best Regards,
Sapna and USM Advancement Research Team
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