Giving Trends
The past few years have been disruptive and filled with uncertainty as we experienced a worldwide pandemic, racial justice movements, stock market fluctuations, and high inflation rates. That is why the average giving growth rate for the past decade has only been 1.9% and in 2022, we even saw a 3.4% drop in giving.
Recent projections from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University suggest a promising outlook for 2024 and 2025. This year, overall giving is expected to increase by 4.2% followed by a 3.9% increase in 2025. This is particularly notable in foundation and estate giving, which are predicted to see significant growth thanks to robust economic indicators such as GDP growth and stock market performance. If you work for, or represent a non-profit, understanding future giving trends can help you align your strategies with potential opportunities.
Why This Matters
If this predicted increase proves to be true, it underscores a vital opportunity for Christian ministries. If individual giving remains strong and foundation giving rises, ministries can plan to expand their outreach and develop more robust fundraising campaigns. Furthermore, growth in estate giving would indicate a rising trend in legacy gifts, highlighting the importance of nurturing long-term relationships with donors. Understanding these trends allows us to strategically position our ministries to tap into the growing generosity and plan impactful programs that align with donor hearts.
Next Steps
As we look towards a brighter future in fundraising, consider taking the following steps to capitalize on these trends:
1. Strengthen Relationships
Focus on building deeper connections with your donors, particularly in nurturing potential legacy gifts and foundation grants.
2. Expand Outreach
Leverage the expected increase in giving by expanding your outreach initiatives and developing programs that resonate with the values and interests of your donors.
3. Strategically Plan
Review and adjust your fundraising strategies to align with these trends. Consider how you can incorporate more targeted approaches to foundation grants and estate planning in your fundraising mix.
Have you given thought to expanding your outreach and developing more robust fundraising campaigns?
Sam Rinearson
Director of Strategy & Development | sam@eaglecom.us