Fundraising Talks – January 2026

Happy New Year! Welcome to the January 2026 edition of Fundraising Talks. We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are feeling reenergized to begin another successful year. New resolutions and goals set the tone for 2026, helping us be more strategic with our time and talents.

Looking back at the factors that shaped philanthropy and charitable giving in 2025, we can certainly call it another “unprecedented” year. Many nonprofits were impacted by federal budget cuts, new tax laws, and other socioeconomic challenges. Yet, as in other difficult times, development professionals worked hard—focusing on strategic donor engagement and teamwork.

As we head into 2026, it’s important to adapt strategies that deliver positive results in advancement services and help leaders understand the changing landscape of higher education, while anticipating the continuation of some trends from last year. Among these trends, artificial intelligence will remain a hot topic in 2026. Investing in technology for data collection and analysis—and using it to understand donor performance and behavior—is key to fundraising success this year.

A recent article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy highlights several trends that advancement professionals should keep in mind for 2026:

Increased use of artificial intelligence for tasks such as donor research, communications, and grant writing.

Helping donors navigate new tax laws as they make contributions in the new year.

Finding meaningful ways to engage with DAF donors (Donor-Advised Funds).

Adjusting operations amid reduced federal funding and economic uncertainty. In 2025, strong stock market performance may have driven midlevel and major gifts. In 2026, it’s harder to predict these factors, so fundraisers must listen carefully to donors and apply personalized approaches to build relationships.

Motivating staff to thrive and succeed, reducing turnover and strengthening organizational culture.

We’ve entered 2026 with more data than ever—data that can improve efficiency, strengthen donor communications and trust, and inform decisions that drive success. Personalized messages that convey your institution’s mission and needs can influence donor behavior and demonstrate the impact of their gifts, building trust along the way. While advancement teams focus on relationships, strategic use of AI to craft stories and enhance analytics will amplify performance.


I wish you great success as we move forward into 2026. As always, please feel free to reach out with 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>>