Thought Leadership

BWF is a recognized and respected thought leader in the philanthropic sector. We are constantly assessing the fundraising landscape and providing timely guidance and insights.

BWF is a recognized and respected thought leader in the philanthropic sector. We are constantly assessing the fundraising landscape and providing timely guidance and insights.

What Giving USA’s Generations and Giving Special Report Reveals About Building Lasting Donor Relationships

In recent years, many nonprofits have experienced growing tension between how donors want to engage and how fundraising programs are traditionally structured. The Giving USA Special Report, Generations and Giving, helps explain why this tension exists. In this article, BWF takes a deep look into the research and what it reinforces about donor engagement and how you can support donors across different pathways.

Read More
Data Insights

From Insight to Action: How Engage Dx and Strategic Counsel Turn Engagement Data into Fundraising Momentum

Engage Dx was built to answer questions that go deeper than satisfaction. It connects emotional drivers like pride, passion, and awareness to actual philanthropic behavior. It shows how engagement evolves into giving, how misalignment can stall loyalty, and how increased connection can unlock growth. In this article we spotlight three institutions that utilized both Engage Dx and strategic counsel.

Read More
Five Important Findings for Community Hospital Fundraising

Community Hospital Fundraising: Key Data & Actionable Tips

For a growing number of hospitals, particularly nonprofit community hospitals, philanthropy is considered a necessity. Philanthropy is no longer seen as only supporting added extras—it’s now a source of revenue that supports the overall care of patients.

Read More

We Believe in Everyday Donors. And We Choose to Defend Them. 

Build a base of support that is fundamental to your development programs’ resilience in times of changing economic circumstances.

Read More

AI Fundraising Use Cases: Ways to Propel Your Giving Efforts

Ready to start using AI for fundraising? This guide explores common AI fundraising use cases and strategies to make the most of your innovative solutions.

Read More

Annual Giving Playbook

We’re in a moment when the old annual giving playbook is breaking. If you lean too heavily on the strategies of old, you risk missing the signals and the donors telling you where the market is going. This digital white paper guides you through how to lead in an evolving fundraising landscape—with data, strategy, and integrity.

Read More

What Three Years of Generative AI Reveal About Fundraising’s Future

The fundraising sector is built on processes optimized for a world that no longer exists. Our systems, staffing models, and “best practices” were designed for an era of slow-moving information, predictable donor behavior, one-way institutional communication, and institutions as the primary source of expertise. AI has not disrupted those systems; it has simply revealed how outdated many already were. This article examines what that means as organizations grapple with resourcing, complexity, and what it truly means to work at the top of license, doing the work aligned with one’s training and expertise.

Read More

Not Your Average Year End: How Upcoming Tax Code Changes Shift Fundraising Strategies in 2025 and Beyond 

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act reshaped more than just the tax code. It included numerous federal funding cuts to programs that will be rolled out and phased in over the coming years. This creates a need to review your case for support and the language you use to ensure it accurately reflects coming changes to your organization’s funding model and sector. Nonprofits have always relied on a mix of public support and private philanthropy to deliver on their missions. As this mix evolves, it means your needs and how you discuss them will too. 

Read More

Turning Wealth Insights into Fundraising Strategy: What the 2025 World Ultra Wealth Report Means for You

The 2025 Altrata World Ultra Wealth Report provides a fascinating look at how the world’s wealthiest individuals—those with $30 million or more in net worth—are shaping global philanthropy. These 510,810 ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals now control nearly $60 trillion, about a third of all high-net-worth assets worldwide. For nonprofits, that concentration of wealth represents enormous opportunity, but only for those who know where and how to engage.

Read More