Everyday donor programs build connections between individuals and the organization; they build communities among the donors; they establish norms and identities around giving behaviors, and they feed the pipeline for future major gifts. This article discusses building a base of support that is fundamental to development programs’ resilience in times of changing economic circumstances.

BWF is pleased to share key findings and analysis from Giving USA 2024: The Annual Report on Philanthropy . Presented by the research team at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy and fundraising professionals at Giving USA Foundation, the Giving USA report is the longest-running, most extensive report on philanthropy in the United States. BWF is proud to be a member of The Giving Institute.

Navigating the evolving philanthropic terrain is imperative for organizations to recalibrate their focus. Investing in base-level giving is not merely a tactic for immediate gains but a strategic imperative for pipeline development. BWF looked at a data set from 12 different colleges and universities to uncover trends and provide evidence to support investment in the donor pipeline. This whitepaper discusses key takeaways and recommendations for your organization.

The University of Maryland School of Public Policy’s Do Good Institute recently released a report focusing on what influences volunteering and giving in the US. The study sought to understand the relationship between “micro-level variables (characteristics of the survey respondent) and macro-level variables (characteristics of the survey respondent’s community or place)” and philanthropic behavior, specifically examining monetary donations and volunteering time. 

While the philanthropy sector has been relatively slow to embrace modern payment methods such as digital wallets, the adoption of Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, etc has become critically important. In this article, we explore why nonprofits should wholeheartedly embrace digital wallets with urgency to offer donors the experience they expect.

One of the most trending topics in fundraising in recent years is the rise of Donor Experience offices. What are charities doing to up their game for the benefit of donors? What are the factors that influence donor retention? This white paper explores the importance of these programs and provides insights for those crafting their own programs.

Over the last 23 years, BWF has conducted research to measure the views and beliefs of affluent Americans regarding their charitable decisions and contributions to hospitals and healthcare organizations. These organizations include community hospitals, children’s hospitals, research centers, academic medical centers, and long-term care facilities. BWF developed this study as an essential tool for healthcare fundraisers.

Are you ready to build or optimize your planned giving program? Planned giving programs do not need to be overly complicated but they do require intentional and consistent planning to be successful. A nonprofit can start with a simple, well-run program and then layer complexity as future needs merit. Here are 7 steps to build—and sustain—a planned giving program.

Is generosity really decreasing? If so, why is it happening? In reality, aspects of generosity are decreasing, but they are also shifting. This article explores the trends in donor behavior, what the research is actually saying, and how fundraisers can adapt to this shift.