New York, NY – CCS Fundraising, a leader in nonprofit fundraising and strategic consulting, is thrilled to announce the promotion of five new Partners. These elevations are reflective of decades-long careers of client impact and reflect CCS’s ongoing commitment to recognizing talent, dedication, and expertise within its leadership team.

Adam Miller, Aashika Patel, Natalie Skinner, Ian Swedish, and Kate Villa have been instrumental in driving fundraising success and lasting community impact for CCS clients, and their contributions have been invaluable to the firm.

Adam Miller is a leader in providing strategic guidance to national and international nonprofits across all sectors, designing innovative fundraising initiatives, directing extraordinary campaigns, and advising on resource development models. He is an expert in board engagement, campaign methodology, principal and major gift strategies, growth and sustainability planning, among others. His engagement as a presenter at global development conferences and as a published author in numerous journals and business publications has helped both his clients and the firm achieve transformative impact. Adam earned a JD from Loyola University Chicago and a BA from Indiana University.

Aashika Patel brings over 12 years of fundraising experience working with CCS, supporting clients with financial targets totaling over $1 billion. Guided by measurable, actionable plans, Aashika leverages fundraising strategy, data analytics, staffing assessments, pipeline development, and leadership engagement to grow fundraising capacity for nonprofits across every philanthropic sector. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and South Asian Studies from Syracuse University and holds a master’s degree in Fundraising and Grantmaking from New York University.

Natalie Skinner joined CCS in 2011 and has since conducted numerous capital campaigns, feasibility and planning studies, development assessments, annual fund enhancements, strategic plans, and special development projects that cumulatively raised more than $1 billion for her clients, including multiple $100 million gifts. Her expertise and strategic insights have played a pivotal role in optimizing fundraising efforts for nonprofits across various sectors and won her recognition with the Dennick M. W. Skeels Memorial Award for her work in CCS’s Mid- and South-Atlantic Region. Natalie earned her Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from University of Delaware.

Ian Swedish has been a key member of CCS for over 14 years, counseling nonprofit clients in strategic planning initiatives, feasibility analysis, data analytics, capital campaigns, and broad scale plan activation. His work spans organizations that are regional, national, and global in scale across all philanthropic sectors. He maintains a deep skillset in both data and fundraising strategy and was instrumental in standing up a data analytics shared service line for the firm. Ian holds an MBA and MPP from the Ross School of Business and the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan and a BA from the University of Vermont.

Kate Villa has been helping to design, plan, and implement successful fundraising campaigns for more than 25 years. She excels at creating and executing campaign plans that connect donors’ passions with projects that change the world. Her expertise in comprehensive campaign design and management, planning studies, assessments, and leading staff and volunteer teams to develop tailored strategies to achieve ambitious fundraising goals have consistently contributed to the growth and success of CCS’s clients. Kate graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and Columbia University.

“I am excited to see Adam, Aashika, Natalie, Ian, and Kate elevated to the role of Partner,” said CCS Fundraising CEO, Jon Kane. “Their dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our clients exemplify CCS’s values. I’m confident that they will continue to drive transformational change and make a lasting impact in their new roles.”

These promotions come at an exciting time for CCS Fundraising as the firm continues to expand its reach and impact in the nonprofit sector. With the addition of these five partners, CCS strengthens its position as the world’s leading fundraising and strategic consulting firm.

About CCS Fundraising

CCS Fundraising is a strategic consulting firm that has partnered with nonprofits for transformational change for more than 75 years. CCS provides various services to support and strengthen nonprofit fundraising programs, including campaign management, strategic planning, data analytics, gift planning, systems and change management, and major gift strategy. The firm’s expert consultants, skilled in campaign and development strategy, work closely with organizations of all sizes across nonprofit sectors and geographies.

For more information on CCS Fundraising, please visit www.ccsfundraising.com.

In this CCS Fundraising webinar, we preview findings from the upcoming Philanthropy Outlook 2024-2025 report, researched and written by the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Together with our esteemed industry panelists in finance, nonprofit fundraising, and philanthropy, we explore the realities of today’s philanthropic and economic outlook and how Americans continue giving generously.

PRESENTED BY

Dr. Anna Pruitt

Dr. Anna Pruitt

Managing Editor, Giving USA

IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Jeff Erdmann

Jeff Erdmann

Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor

Merrill Lynch
Chris Hyzy

Chris Hyzy

Chief Investment Officer

Bank of America
Dr. Michael Lomax

Dr. Michael Lomax

Chief Executive Officer

United Negro College Fund
Sarah Krasin

Sarah Krasin

Principal and Managing Director

Why Philanthropy Remains Resilient

Even with recent economic fluctuations and global crises, philanthropy can anticipate some bright spots in the years ahead, according to the Philanthropy and Economic Outlook webinar and accompanying Philanthropy Outlook 2024 & 2025 report.

Total philanthropic giving in the United States is poised to increase by 4.2% in 2024, followed by a 3.9% rise in 2025. The anticipated growth rates for these two years suggest a notable improvement, with the rate for 2024 (4.2%) substantially exceeding the average annual growth rate of 1.9% documented in the decade ending in 2024. As we delve into the implications of this anticipated growth, we uncover a narrative of resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication to making an impact through charitable giving.

Strength and growth of philanthropy

The resilience and growth of philanthropy have been noteworthy, particularly during economic downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, philanthropy in the US demonstrated remarkable resilience during the pandemic crisis year of 2020, with donations reaching a record-setting $471.44 billion.

This level of generosity showcases a deep commitment to philanthropy, emphasizing the importance of nonprofits continuing their fundraising efforts despite challenges. CCS Chairman Rick Happy noted, “We have lived through some difficult moments, and during those times, our nonprofit partners continue to adapt to meet the moment,” underscoring the critical nature of persistence and strategic adaptation in the face of adversity.

impact of wealth creation on philanthropy

Nonprofits across the country benefit from generosity among high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). Chris Hyzy, Chief Investment Officer at Bank of America, pointed out, “Since January 1, 2020, we’ve observed about $39 trillion in wealth creation between real estate and financial assets,” highlighting the potential for nonprofits to engage with individuals who are becoming more affluent and looking to make an impact on a meaningful mission.

Philanthropy among HNWIs has spiked in the past few years. In 2022, HNWIs continued to significantly impact philanthropy through their contributions. The top 10 charitable gifts announced by these individuals or their foundations amounted to nearly $9.3 billion. This figure was highlighted by a substantial $5 billion donation from Bill Gates, positioning him as the top donor for that year. In 2023, the top 50 US donors—led by Michael Bloomberg, Phil and Penny Knight, and Michael Dell—made a generous $11.9 billion donation.

shift toward cause-driven giving

There has been a shift toward cause-driven giving, with donors increasingly motivated by personal values over institutional loyalty. This trend necessitates clear communication by nonprofits about their impact and alignment with donors’ values. CCS Managing Director Sarah Krasin explained, “More people give to nonprofits than go to the ballot box […] charitable giving is an incredibly important way that people represent their personal values,” emphasizing the need for alignment with donor interests.

Now more than ever, it is more important to have a clear case for support and to engage personally with stakeholders.

We encourage focusing on your strategic priorities and doing the work, really getting in front of people.

Sarah Krasin, Managing Director, CCS Fundraising

digital innovation in fundraising

Innovation, particularly through technology, is becoming crucial in fundraising. National trends underscore the growing sentiment that nonprofits must adopt new technologies and platforms to engage donors effectively. “Think generative AI,” Chris Hyzy suggested, pointing to the potential of technology to enhance fundraising strategies and operational efficiency.

increasing donor sophistication

Donors are seeking more sophisticated ways to contribute, focusing on tangible outcomes and the effectiveness of their donations. “They operate a bit more like private equity companies, asking, ‘What will the return be?'” observed Dr. Michael Lomax, CEO of the United Negro College Fund, indicating a trend toward social impact investing and the need for nonprofits to demonstrate the effectiveness of their programs. Donors increasingly turn to research institutes to define high-impact philanthropy and offer strategies to maximize their philanthropic investments.

engagement across generations

Engaging with millennials and Gen Z is essential for the sustained growth of philanthropy.

You’ve got about 130 million millennials. They will be the donors of the future.

Chris Hyzy, Chief Investment Officer, Bank of America

As you engage young professionals in your organization, you could consider leveraging social media, honest and authentic communications, career and age-relevant volunteer opportunities, and ambassadorship programs.

building trust and credibility

Building trust and credibility with donors is paramount in the current philanthropic landscape. “It’s not a question of if the assets are available to be given away. It’s a matter of if we’ve taken the time to build the trust,” Sarah Krasin emphasized, highlighting the importance of effectively communicating an organization’s vision, impact, and operational effectiveness to attract and retain support.

philanthropy remains resilient

In the ever-evolving philanthropic landscape, donors continue giving generously even in adversity. As we look to the future, characterized by a shift toward cause-driven giving, increasing donor sophistication, and intergenerational engagement, one truth remains—the importance of trust and credibility. Through transparency, impact-driven strategies, and genuine connection with stakeholders, philanthropy’s transformative potential will continue in 2024, 2025, and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do growth projections in The Philanthropy Outlook 2024 and 2025 account for inflation?

Yes, growth projection values in the report are all in real or inflation-adjusted terms.

Does the Foundation growth projected in the report include Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) and private family foundations?

Giving from private family foundations is included under giving from foundations in The Philanthropy Outlook 2024 and 2025. DAF giving, however, is included under individual giving.

Does the report consider the upcoming US presidential election?

The report does not include the 2024 US presidential election as a factor in its projections, as presidential elections have historically not significantly affected charitable giving in aggregate. Learn more about trends in giving around presidential elections in CCS’s article “Charitable Giving During Presidential Elections.”

Does the report consider increasingly concentrated wealth in the US?

The Philanthropy Outlook 2024 and 2025 accounts for all giving, including outlier giving from high net-worth individuals, and focuses on aggregates, not averages. While we know that concentrated wealth greatly affects giving, exactly how is unclear.

Is an increase in donors the biggest factor in the projected growth in household giving, or are large gifts the biggest factor?

The Philanthropy Outlook 2024 and 2025 does not consider the number of donors and individual gift amounts and only projects aggregate growth rates. However, the number of donors to nonprofits has trended down over time, so it is unlikely to be a growth driver in 2024 and 2025 giving.

Does the report’s projected Household growth account for generational wealth transfers?

The model used to forecast estate growth in The Philanthropy Outlook 2024 and 2025 does not have a variable that directly measures the impact of generational wealth transfers. However, historical trends in the report will likely capture the impact of a Great Wealth Transfer when it occurs. If they cannot capture impact in the short term, the model (which the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy optimizes each year based on predictive value) may contain a death rate or similar variable in future report editions.

Does the report include household/individual projections by sector?

It does not. The aggregate amount of donations received by each nonprofit sector tends to be more variable year-over-year, affected by complex factors, and is more challenging to project accurately.

Does the report differentiate individual giving by donors who itemize and donors who don’t, or high-net-worth individuals?

The Philanthropy Outlook 2024 and 2025 does not differentiate between itemized and non-itemized individual giving. However, it bases its individual giving data on the 2023 Giving USA report, which does differentiate itemized and non-itemized individual giving. Additionally, The Philanthropy Outlook 2024 and 2025 report model does include the number of itemizers as a variable but does not project the amount of giving that will come from households of specific demographics or wealth levels.

Does the report’s projected corporate growth consider the negative impact of climate change?

The report only considers climate change’s negative impact implicitly through historical data and recent trends.

What are the current giving trends in the US?

CCS’s 2023 Philanthropic Landscape report compiles and analyzes the most recent data on giving from across industry sources. We recommend viewing it along with the CCS 2024 Philanthropy Pulse report for the latest data on nonprofit fundraising trends.

Is giving in the US down overall for 2022 and 2023?

Giving total adjustments are usually made based on inflation activity and the availability of additional giving data. While giving in 2022 has initially been reported to total $499.33 billion — a decline of $17.32 billion from 2021’s record-setting giving — comparing 2022’s initially-reported giving total to 2021’s pre-adjusted, initially-reported giving total of $484 billion suggests that charitable giving actually increased by 3%. Giving USA will share 2023’s total giving in the summer of 2024.

Why does the report project giving in 2025 to double giving in 2024?

The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy finds that many economic indicators for estate giving lag a year behind. With consumer sentiment and net worth projected to grow even more in 2024 than in 2023, estate growth rates in 2025 will grow even more than in 2024.

Were any projections made for philanthropy in 2022 or 2023? If so, how accurate were the projections?

As The Philanthropy Outlook 2024 and 2025 report is the first of its kind, CCS Fundraising and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy did not make any projections for previous years. However, the methodology in the Philanthropy Outlook 2024 and 2025 has been rigorously tested. Additionally, CCS will release a 2nd edition of the report in 2027.

Given the growth rate of foundations, what will be the top three areas of giving from foundations in 2024 and 2025?

While top areas of giving from foundations are not a component of The Philanthropy Outlook 2024 and 2025 report, the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy does not anticipate foundation grant-making to diverge too significantly in the short term compared to the recent past. Eventually, giving from foundations may shift more significantly, but probably not in the next two years.

Will nonprofits benefit from the Great Wealth Transfer if it occurs as the philanthropic sector anticipates?

It is unclear where money from the Boomers will go as they transfer it to the younger generations. Often, donors give large bequests to foundations or other grantmaking institutions, so nonprofits may not immediately benefit from the Great Wealth Transfer but will likely experience a future boon.

How do foundations determine their level of giving?

While each foundation is different, grantmaking from foundations generally follows the market (with a slight lag), as investments often form their asset base. Most foundations grant approximately the required 5% of assets annually, though the amount can be calculated over a three-year rolling investment performance period.

Will consumer prices be impacted by lowering inflation?

At the time of the Philanthropy and Economic Outlook webinar, consumer prices seem to be increasing roughly in pace with other inflation measurements. The consumer price index increased about 3.2% year over year in February 2024, which, while higher than the targeted rate of 2%, was within historical norms. If different inflation indices continue to show large divergences, we may need to revisit trends in consumer prices.

More Insights

Publication

CCS Philanthropy Pulse

February 13, 2025

Uncover the latest fundraising trends in the 2025 CCS Philanthropy Pulse report! Packed with data-rich insights from 600+ nonprofit organizations across diverse nonprofit sectors, this free report will help you plan for success in 2025.

Publication

The Philanthropy Outlook 2024 and 2025

March 13, 2024

Strengthen your fundraising strategy this year and next with this data-driven publication, revealing predictive insights for the philanthropic sector in the years ahead.

Article

Charitable Giving During Presidential Elections

February 23, 2024

As we approach the 2024 US presidential election, many nonprofit professionals wonder if and how politics will affect this year’s charitable giving landscape. Read on as we examine research that helps us understand the relationship between nonprofit fundraising and political giving.

Research on how the US presidential election years impact giving is limited. We should look thoughtfully at 2020, the last election cycle, as the COVID-19 pandemic had unprecedented effects on the economy and how Americans gave. The following is what the data suggests about philanthropy in election years.

Philanthropy for Enhanced Democracy

While we don’t know if charitable giving will mimic 2020, recent grants indicate that donors, including mega donors, are willing to give to increase voter participation. The Open Society Foundations granted $50 million in December 2023 to encourage young people and women to vote, while MacKenzie Scott gave $10 million to the State Infrastructure Fund for increased voting participation and protected voting rights.

Aggregate giving in election years

The 2023 Philanthropic Landscape reveals that charitable giving increased in nine of the last 10 presidential election years, save for 2008 during the global financial crisis.  The charitable giving numbers for an election year tend to follow the trajectory seen in previous years, whether it is an upward or a downward trend. This trend has been observed despite variety in elected candidates, and thus indicates that philanthropy has and will remain resilient despite election outcomes.

Political Giving as a Share of All Giving

In the final few months of each presidential election, political giving spikes as a percentage of total giving, then resettles to lower levels shortly afterward. In more recent presidential election years, political giving appears to make up an increasingly large percentage of all giving during the months surrounding the election. The increasing share of giving during election seasons dovetails with other research that more and more Americans donate to political candidates over time. According to American National Election Studies (ANES) data, 12% of US adults say they donated to a political candidate in 2016.

Does Political Giving “Crowd Out” Individual Charitable Giving?

While political giving appears to be around $2.7 billion so far for the 2024 election year, it represents a small fraction of charitable giving, estimated to total $499.33 billion in 2023.

Though it may seem logical that donors of political campaigns may give less to charity in an election year, there is little empirical evidence to support this. In fact, a study by Blackbaud suggested that in the 2012 election, donors who gave to presidential and other federal candidates (as tracked by the Federal Election Commission) tended to increase their overall donations to charity that year.

“Rage Giving” After Presidential Elections

Following the 2016 election, the media widely reported increased donations to politically progressive causes, coined “rage giving.” Several small studies support that donors may be more inclined to donate to causes associated with the losing candidate’s party following a presidential election than they otherwise would be. While many of these studies have relatively small sample sizes and tend to focus on online giving—which grew by 42% between 2019 and 2021—the research provides some empirical evidence for the phenomenon of “rage giving.”

A Chronicle of Philanthropy analysis suggests that a similar phenomenon has occurred during at least three other elections. On average, nonprofits associated with the opposite political ideology of the winning presidential candidate saw a 57.55% increase in contributions compared to the previous year. Organizations associated with the same ideology as the new president saw an average 2.9% decrease in contributions.

Our Advice for fundraising in an election year

While it may be impossible to fully predict how a presidential election will impact philanthropic giving, we can offer insight into successfully engaging with your donors amidst the political climate.

Continue Fundraising Efforts

More than $3 billion was donated to the two major party candidates in the 2020 election, leading to concern about the competition that political giving may pose to charitable giving. While it is important to research the political giving of your largest donors before major requests, history tells us that donors continue supporting their favorite charitable causes during an election year. Record numbers of Americans voted in the 2020 presidential election; the sheer number of voters is an exciting indicator of increased civic engagement in the US, potentially having ripple effects on charitable giving and volunteering.

Practice Empathy and Awareness

Remember that emotions may run high, especially given the increased voter turnout during the last election. It is essential for charitable organizations to lead with empathy when communicating with donors, staff, and volunteers. Stay aware of how the election results may affect the lives of those closest to your organization.

Remain Committed to Your Mission and Communicate With Donors

Now is a time to reaffirm your organization’s mission, purpose, and values. If your mission was relevant before the election, it will be relevant afterward. With this idea in mind, continue donor communications, thoughtfully articulating your cause’s relevance to today’s world. Americans are passionate about various causes, from the environment to the arts to human services. These passions continue regardless of election outcomes, policy changes, and other societal factors.

Americans are generous, no matter the political climate

Today, as always, charitable giving is a way for Americans to support the values they cherish and empower the organizations that contribute to their communities and the world.

To get more data on philanthropy in the US, download CCS Fundraising’s latest Philanthropic Landscape, 12th edition.

More Insights

Article

How Philanthropy Drives Equity in Healthcare

April 2, 2025

Amidst shifts in policy surrounding equity in healthcare, philanthropy is emerging as a leading force in tackling persistent disparities.

Article

CCS Philanthropy Pulse: Arts and Culture Spotlight

February 2025

This Arts and Culture Sector Spotlight is adapted from CCS’s 2025 Philanthropy Pulse report to provide an in-depth look at the data provided by 104 survey respondents from that sector.

A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) should be essential to advancement professionals who have a responsibility in how they acquire, store, and use data. DEI is not a one-and-done concept and should be at the heart of everything a nonprofit does— especially regarding donor data.

Vered Siegel, Senior Director at CCS Fundraising and Chair of the Association of Advancement Services Professionals (aasp)’s DEI in Advancement Data Task Force, and Felecia McCree, Senior Director on CCS’s Systems & Change Management team and member of the task force, addressed this very subject in aasp’s 2024 eBook, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) for Advancement Services: Best Practices for Today’s Success. We asked them to expound on why and how advancement services should integrate DEI principles.

Q: Why should DEI matter to those in Advancement Services?

A headshot of Vered Siegel.

Vered: Ultimately, Advancement Services as a profession owns and is responsible for constituent biographical data in the fundraising database. To this end, DEI is a lens by which to look at our donors’ and prospects’ identities:

  • How do they define themselves, and how does our institution define them? Are those definitions aligned?
  • How does responsibility for identity data impact our fundraising success, our relationships with constituents, and our team’s strategy?

I think it comes down to promoting human dignity: accepting other people’s identities as part of the big picture of human flourishing. I got into the nonprofit sector because I felt called to promote that flourishing. Society commonly misjudges “data people” as disconnected from the humans our data reflects, but it’s absolutely untrue. We are the stewards of identity in data form.

Q: Why should organizations think about DEI in data collection, usage, and storage?

A headshot of Vered Siegel.

Vered: Splitting best practice recommendations across collection, storage, and usage in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) for Advancement Services: Best Practices for Today’s Success was critical because every organization is on a unique timeline in its DEI data management. For example, some organizations might read the document and notice that they align well with best practices in storage but haven’t considered all the implications of collection. By separating these three content areas, we reject the premise that if you’re early in your journey in one area, the rest is insurmountable. On the contrary—I think every organization can identify at least one area where they are at the cutting edge of the best practice today, even if the checklist for the rest might be quite long.

Q: What can we learn from equitable data practices?

A headshot of Felecia McCree.

Felecia: It is important to increase representation whenever possible—we continue to learn about disparities in past datasets that have led to inaccuracies in predictions, analytics, and outcomes. When organizations embrace equitable data practices, they become better informed in making decisions that impact all segments of the communities they serve. It allows them to consider everyone impacted by their analytical findings and recommendations, which is crucial for fostering inclusivity.

Equitable data practices can also help uncover hidden biases, helping nonprofits mitigate the risk of perpetuating disparities in underserved communities, and ensuring that future decisions are based on data that accurately reflects the diversity of their constituents.

Q: How does DEI help nonprofits better use their data?

A headshot of Felecia McCree.

Felecia: Nonprofits can only benefit when their accumulated donor data accurately reflects the communities they serve. That’s because it can lead to more targeted, effective, and inclusive outreach to those who will directly benefit from program offerings and services.

Additionally, DEI principles can help guide the ethical management of sensitive personal information. It is becoming more important than ever to protect the rights and privacy of those who are vulnerable to attack based on their gender identities or ethnic backgrounds.

Q: Are there any common mistakes nonprofits make when implementing DEI efforts in their databases?

A headshot of Vered Siegel.

Vered: Yes—I think the most common mistake nonprofits make to meet the moment is to focus effort and energy on collecting a large amount of data with no plan. It’s a well-intentioned mistake. The thought behind it is that even if you don’t know what you’d do with data about someone’s race or gender identity, it might come to use one day. But, I challenge nonprofits to consider the effort and energy expended in pursuing a data-maximalist ideology. If you’ve never needed it before, and it takes a great deal of time, effort, energy, and money to obtain and store, yet you have no plan for what to do with the data once you have it, was pursuing it really worth it?

Q: We know from the 2024 CCS Philanthropy Pulse report that many nonprofits struggle with communicating with donors about DEI. Do you have any advice for them?

A headshot of Vered Siegel.

Vered: I think it’s really interesting that giving to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ organizations grew in 2023 according to the 2023 CCS Philanthropic Landscape report. I sense that identity-based philanthropy benefits much more from data management that likewise embraces donor identities in a way that promotes their humanity and dignity. After all, if your organization serves queer inner-city youth but your database only tracks the gender options “male,” “female,” and “other,” how aligned is your DEI data strategy with your organizational mission? That’s why in that same report CCS recommends developing culturally competent donor cultivation/solicitation approaches. One way this manifests in advancement services is through segmentation: using data fields to divide your donors into categories to develop custom approaches to donor relationships.

But just because you can track something doesn’t mean your donors would like to be categorized that way. The eBook touches on this explicitly, asking: “Just because you can, does it mean you should?”

I can share a real-life example:

I once helped an organization build out their ask strings for direct mail. This was the kind of project where I would typically extrapolate the $10, $25, $50 from raw data and examine individual donors’ prior giving, engagement, and other factors to get the string just right. In discussing their prior formula, I learned that they only used numbers in multiples of five for their ask strings despite a sizable quantity of donors giving $18, $36, or $72.

The organization threw out those “non-standard giving amounts” as noise in the data, but the donors persisted in giving those amounts. I quickly pointed out that these donors were likely Jewish, and giving in multiples of 18 was a cultural norm for them. They were not just randomly giving these numbers to break the data model!

We carefully pulled out those donors, and instead of offering the $10, $25, or $50 ask strings, we built ask strings in multiples of 18. Over two years, engagement from these donors went up. They were more likely to answer phone calls, more likely to return an appeal with a check, and their giving increased over the two years I was with the client.

Cultural competency is critical for fundraising success

Explore DEI best practices in Advancement Services in aasp’s 2024 eBook, and learn more about CCS Fundraising’s Systems & Change Management services.

More Insights

Article

How Philanthropy Drives Equity in Healthcare

April 2, 2025

Amidst shifts in policy surrounding equity in healthcare, philanthropy is emerging as a leading force in tackling persistent disparities.

Publication

CCS Philanthropy Pulse

February 13, 2025

Uncover the latest fundraising trends in the 2025 CCS Philanthropy Pulse report! Packed with data-rich insights from 600+ nonprofit organizations across diverse nonprofit sectors, this free report will help you plan for success in 2025.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is top of mind for independent schools as they aim to drive equitable social impact, and communications provide a link between fundraising and DEI strategy. According to the 2024 CCS Philanthropy Pulse, 84% of respondents in the primary and secondary education sector indicated that DEI is important in developing their strategic plans for future fundraising priorities, distinguishing the sector as a leader in DEI strategy. In fact, 93% of schools discuss DEI with donors—a rate 6% higher than all sectors combined. Additionally, a recent study by the Graduate School of Education & Psychology at Pepperdine University​ revealed that one of the five pillars of DEI in education institutions is communication, community education, and outreach.

While working alongside our nonprofit partners and recognizing both our ongoing growth and the dynamic nature of our efforts, CCS Fundraising has learned helpful DEI communication strategies for independent schools drawn from community-centric fundraising principles, which we share below.

Integrate DEI In Your Donor Engagement Tactics

DEI Policies and Practices

Educating potential donors on your independent school’s DEI policies and practices is a key step in developing a more inclusive philanthropy model. Utilize the school website, annual reports, alum magazines, and donor conversations as crucial opportunities to underscore your dedication to DEI. Clearly outlining inclusive programs, policies, and practices, supported by relevant data, is a transparent and proactive way to positively shape your school’s community and culture. This strategic approach reinforces the idea that philanthropy acts as a catalyst for genuine and lasting positive change within the communities you serve.

DEI and Collateral

Fundraising materials are an opportunity to highlight a diverse narrative of students, parents, faculty, and alums and can feature testimonials from various perspectives and voices.  Ensure fundraising material visually reflects your school’s values and aligns with your school’s voice by instituting a review and approval process led by your DEI leaders.

Applying DEI to Outreach and Strategy

Within the donor cycle, where prospects typically navigate a shared “moves management” journey, it is important to recognize that each donor follows a unique path to a successful solicitation. Personalizing engagement involves considering various factors. For instance, prospects who have benefited from financial aid may find inspiration (or lack thereof) in their personal student experiences. Donors with an international background may approach philanthropy with perspectives distinct from those in American households. In addition, considerations around a prospect’s religious affiliations can significantly influence their interest in philanthropy. Attention to details, including meeting/event dates, numerical preferences, and preferred solicitors, allows you to tailor your approach thoughtfully.

DEI and Events

Whether your independent school is actively in a campaign or growing its annual fund, you are likely holding fundraising and engagement events throughout the year with various goals. When planning for these events, it is important to consider location, guest list, and programming to ensure that they are welcoming, inclusive, and serve the full community.

DEI and Volunteers

Engagement is a key metric of campaign success and an excellent way to increase perspectives, promote diverse voices, and intentionally build inclusive teams.

Without deliberately keeping DEI un mind, however, volunteer committees—in campaigns or, more broadly, in volunteer leadership—may reflect singular perspectives or become particularly homogenous. When planning a volunteer committee, it is important to utilize a volunteer matrix, consider scheduling constraints, and prioritize long-term volunteer cultivation.

DEI in Stewardship

Major gifts, endowed funds, and scholarship stewardship are important ways to celebrate the impact of your school community’s generosity, recognize donors for their contributions, and inspire future philanthropy. In recent years, CCS has strategized in partnership with independent school clients to take steps to avoid reinforcing negative stereotypes such as:

  • Biases and stereotypes around the demographics and/or “typical profile” of a scholarship student 
  • Tokenism and othering of scholarship students 
  • Donor access to information about or contact with minors

Rather than providing scholarship funders with detailed reports about, or compulsory thank you letters from, scholarship recipients, schools have taken a comprehensive, uniform, yet detailed approach to steward donors who give to scholarships or have named scholarship funds.

A report might include:

  • Aggregate Data on Financial Aid Funds - Number of financial aid students by class or campus, notes from advisors or student testimonials (consider anonymizing students), historical growth of financial aid budget (total budget, #/% of students receiving aid)
  • Financial Aid in Action – stories and/or letters from alums who have graduated high school and have volunteered to provide testimonials as adults.
  • Intentional Inclusive Language Choices – consider framing language like: “All students of distinction and great potential attend this school regardless of their ability to pay.”

In drafting these materials, it is important not to equate improving DEI practices and the provision of financial aid as synonymous.  While providing financial aid can be a way to diversify a school’s student body, this is not always the case.

DEI Improves the Fundraising Landscape

Fostering an inclusive philanthropic environment within educational institutions requires a comprehensive approach to donor engagement, outreach, and stewardship, specifically focusing on DEI. Adopting these DEI-centric practices throughout outreach, events, materials, reporting, stewardship, and volunteer engagement will allow your school to mirror the evolving landscape of philanthropy and better integrate inclusivity into its donor engagement strategies.

More Insights

Article

Nonprofit Data Management: How to Turn Messy Data into Quality Insights

March 31, 2025

Learn simple steps you can take to manage your nonprofit’s data no matter where you are in your data health journey.

Article

Elevate Your Major Gifts Fundraising Training with These Three Tactics

March 14, 2025

Strengthen major gifts fundraising training at your organization through capacity-building, sustainable learning practices.

CCS Fundraising logo

Explore this CCS on-demand video, presented in partnership with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, exploring key findings from their latest report, The Giving Environment!

Together, we examine the formal and informal channels through which communities of color practice generosity and discuss strategies for how nonprofit professionals can adapt their approach to reaching and retaining donors of diverse backgrounds.

PRESENTED BY

Ruyi Lu

Ruyi Lu

Senior Vice President

Dr. Una Osili

Dr. Una Osili

Associate Dean for Research

IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Prisca Bae

Prisca Bae

Chief Partnerships Officer

The Asian American Foundation
Dr. Imari Paris Jeffries

Dr. Imari Paris Jeffries

Executive Director

Embrace Boston
Lina Park

Lina Park

Chief Development Officer

Asian Health Services
Woodrow “Woody” Keown Jr.

Woodrow “Woody” Keown Jr.

President and COO

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

As organizations prepare for a campaign, they often face competing priorities and limited resources—drafting a compelling case for support can seem overwhelming to add to the mix. But it is the guiding document for the entire campaign, so its importance cannot be overstated.

Mistakes Nonprofits Make in Case for Support Development

Misunderstanding the Purpose

An early mistake when writing your case is to misunderstand the document’s purpose. The case is not a stand-alone document and should instead be accompanied by a personal visit from a volunteer or organization leader.

The case is also the basis for all other campaign documents, including your website, major gift proposals, brochures, stewardship documents, and other collateral. Its design elements can create cohesive supporting materials, such as your gift agreement form, request letters, or mailings. Therefore, the content, tone, and design should be carefully developed with leadership and key stakeholder buy-in early in the planning stages of a major effort.

Forgetting the Audience

Another common mistake is not considering the recipient. The case is not a financial statement, strategic plan, or organizational manifesto. It should be written with actual donors in mind, including an emotional appeal about why the project matters and the impact a prospective donor can make. At its core, the case should show how the donor can be the hero in transforming their community by making a philanthropic investment.

Confusing the audience is a big mistake. Most donor prospects do not want to sift through text to find the campaign’s true meaning; they want a simple cause and effect (e.g., “By pledging $XX,XXX, this ‘something’ will happen in our organization).” Without concrete plans, the case is left up to interpretation by donors and volunteers, leading to a skewed perception of need, a misguided understanding of future goals, and money left on the table.

Leaving Money on the Table

With confusion comes the potential to leave money on the table. Donors want to have—and should have—a clear understanding of their money’s purpose. A donor may see the need for a campaign but not see the full picture due to a lack of detail or sense of need. As a result, that prospect may not feel compelled to stretch their dollars, and what could have been a $100,000 pledge may become a $45,000 pledge.

Making a Case for Want, Not Need

Lack of detail can sometimes leave donors thinking an organization has goals based on wants rather than needs—people give to needs. For example, if a case for support has a $1.5 million goal to renovate ABC School’s building, which of the below sounds like a need versus a want?

  • ABC School is testing a $1.5 million goal to renovate the school building and fulfill our mission for future generations.
  • ABC School is testing a $1.5 million goal to fix the HVAC system in the main school building, update the classrooms by installing computers, and replace the broken tile floors with sustainable Pergo flooring.

The first example gives a general idea of what will happen. Often, a Board of Directors will agree on this statement because the school building truly needs renovating, and they understand what that involves. However, a prospective alum donor not as close to the project may not know exactly why the school needs renovation. The second example explains exactly what the school needs and conveys a sense of need.  Anyone who reads it can envision a school with no AC, crumbling floors, and no technology.

Mixed Messages/Speculation

Drawing from the ABC School example, consider how using the first example can lead to mixed messages. That prospective alum donor may think that renovating their alma mater is a super idea; they want to support their school and give future students the best opportunities and education possible. When they ask the question: “What renovations are needed,” more often than not, the answer to this question may be, “It depends on how much money we raise.” Trained volunteers may leave out a few elements or add in other projects that may occur if enough money is raised. Specific case elements and details help guide the campaign and the volunteers in conveying the organization’s plans. The two essential questions that need to be answered are: what are we raising money for, and what is the expected outcome?

No Sense of Urgency

A lack of specificity translates to a lack of urgency. If an organization wants to test the idea of a campaign without having specifics, why should a donor feel compelled to give when there is no specific pressing need? Part of the case for support includes defining the situation of today and the need for the future. Combined with a realistic timetable, these two fundamentals will convey that sense of urgency and instill trust in potential donors.

Lacking Good Design or Editing

Poorly edited or designed documents detract from the project’s gravity and impact and make it painfully clear that insufficient time and effort was spent. To avoid this misstep, proofread your document at every turn and ask others internally to read it carefully before presenting it externally. Similarly, a poorly designed document reflects a lack of effort or thought—case statements should be visually appealing to grab readers’ attention and describe the campaign’s importance.

Planning for a successful case

Preparation is invaluable when crafting the ideal case for support. Before you put pen to paper, consider these preliminary steps.

Determine Your Organization’s Strategic Priorities

Internal discussions and decisions shape a major fundraising effort, including strategic planning or visioning sessions, which are a natural guide for developing funding priorities. Some organizations try to do too much and, as a result, find out too late that they should narrow their focus and better prioritize funding their needs and wants. Other organizations may limit their capabilities too severely by underestimating their reach or insufficiently conveying their missions. It is important to think strategically from the onset to avoid these pitfalls.

Conduct a Feasibility or Planning Study

Often, conducting a feasibility and planning study can help uncover funding priorities that resonate with donors. This is your opportunity to ask stakeholders what is important to them and determine your community’s appetite for funding various projects.

Estimate Costs and Analyze Impact

Other critical areas of planning include creating cost estimates and quantifying impact. Savvy donors are influenced by the cost of funding different projects and their gift’s impact on your organization and community, so you should be prepared to present this information in the case.

These early steps should be taken internally with a small strategic planning committee or your board. Once you have a general outline of your plan and funding needs, it is time to begin writing your case.

Review Case for Support Examples

Another important planning step is to look to successful case for support examples for inspiration. Two CCS Fundraising examples were recently winners of the firm’s Excellence Award:

steps for creating your nonprofit’s case for support

A graphic outlining four steps to create a nonprofit case for support.

1. Gather and Organize Your Information

Gather current information about your plans, funding areas, and costs. Cast a wide net to include the following.

  • Organizational information (i.e., mission, vision, strategic plan, branding guidelines)
  • Program or project details/schematics
  • Cost estimates
  • Impact stories
  • Quotes
  • Photos/renderings/visuals

Categorizing and organizing your information before you begin writing reveals gaps and allows you to begin outlining your content and vision in a way that makes sense and is true to your organization.

2. Create a Comprehensive Case for Support Outline

After collecting information, create an outline of the content of your case statement. To start, answer the following questions using the information you collected.

  • What issues does your organization target (mission)?
  • What are your organization’s strengths?
  • What challenge or obstacle do you face? How do you propose to overcome this obstacle?
  • What are your funding needs?
  • What will be the impact of fulfilling those funding needs? How will this change the community?
  • What are you asking of the donor?

Your outline should include relevant details and be a relatively high-level organization overview, describing the challenge your organization faces, your future vision, and the impact the donor can make. Include only the most essential information and leave out anything irrelevant to your audience.

3. Write a Compelling Story

Using the outline you created, supplement your content with compelling language to motivate prospective donors to see themselves as an active participant in overcoming your organization’s challenges. An effective case for support includes an accurate description of how the donor will create transformational change. The closing should incorporate a “call to action,” a final invitation that propels the donors along the engagement pipeline.

4. Design Your Case for Support

The design of your website and collateral matters for how the public views you; 94% of first impressions are design-related.

After creating a compelling story, begin designing your case for support. Your organization may have defined branding guidelines—if so, use them to ensure your case is recognizable and aligned with your organizational culture.

If you have limited resources, designing your case for support can be challenging, but keep the following in mind.

  • You can design using PowerPoint and draw inspiration by searching for other case statements.
  • Be consistent with text size, margins, alignment, and other small details. Uniformity demonstrates professionalism and the document’s importance to prospective donors.
  • High-quality photos can convey information more quickly and effectively than text. Consider taking new photos or using compelling stock photos that align with your mission.
  • Use design elements such as bolding, titles, text boxes, and color to emphasize important information.

Finalizing a strong case

Writing your best case requires meticulous planning, drafting, designing, and editing. Along the way, you should share case iterations with other team members, volunteers, and prospective donors. Asking your stakeholders for feedback and building consensus throughout the case’s development prevents setbacks and builds familiarity throughout the organization. Likewise, following the steps sequentially is important, as jumping ahead is counterproductive and can create additional work.

As you begin, keep impact at the top of your mind. Drafting your case can seem overwhelming, but it is also exciting. You are embarking on a process that can create a ripple effect in your community and make a long-term difference for your organization. Bring that passion, excitement, and vision for the future with you as you create your most compelling case yet!

More Insights

Article

Custom GPTs for Fundraising: A Nonprofit Guide

May 31, 2024

Learn about Custom Generative Pre-Trained Transformers (GPTs), their application in fundraising, and how you can harness their capabilities to streamline your fundraising efforts and forge deeper connections with donors.

Article

Making the Case for Endowment at Your Independent School

May 9, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic and the fluctuating economy in the years since revealed how critical endowments are for the growth and sustainability of independent schools. Learn how to make the case for an endowment at your school with our concrete tactics.

Donor acquisition continues challenging nonprofits, so a robust prospecting strategy — which helps you find likely prospects for your organization — is paramount to success. Prospect research uncovers current and prospective donor backgrounds, philanthropic histories, wealth markers, and charitable motivations. This method allows fundraisers, development teams, and nonprofits to evaluate a prospect’s capacity to give (how much money they have) and their affinity for an organization (desire to give to that specific cause).

Often, prospect research helps organizations discover major gift donors. For most fundraising campaigns, the majority of funds come from a small number of donors who give generously, so finding major gift donors is crucial to fundraising success for nonprofits of all sizes.

Applying Prospect Research

A fundraiser’s time is limited. With prospect research, nonprofits gain valuable insights for more accurately choosing which donors to direct their focus.

Prospect research allows you to:

  • Refine major gift outreach. Leveraging your nonprofit’s data reveals which annual donors have the capacity and potential affinity to make a major gift.
  • Identify planned or deferred gift prospects. Consistent annual donors are the most likely to give planned gifts in their wills. Use philanthropic and wealth markers to determine who these annual donors might be.
  • Generate new prospects. Gain access to the donation lists of similar organizations. Donation lists are effective for finding new prospects, as people who give to similar nonprofits may also be more likely to give to your organization.
  • Assess fundraising opportunities. View previous giving histories to see who prospects give to, how often, and how much money they donate. Your nonprofit can analyze donors immediately to formulate better fundraising strategies to land more major gifts.
  • Clean up your donor data. Receiving this donor information is an opportune time to clean up your old data. Update donor information, fill in missing fields, and organize your data to make navigating it easy for your fundraisers.

The specific benefits of prospect research vary according to nonprofit type. For instance, hospitals can use prospect screenings to find major gift donors and create a successful Grateful Patient program.

Prospecting Uncovers Valuable Data

Data resulting from prospect research allows fundraisers to make better decisions and includes the following:

  • Previous nonprofit donations. Your nonprofit’s past donors are the best predictors of future major gift prospects. Donations to similar nonprofits also indicate prospects who may be apt to give to you—perhaps in a big way.
  • Political gifts. Donations to political campaigns and causes demonstrate an affinity for prospects to give to the causes important to them.
  • Nonprofit service. Prospects serving on nonprofit boards and foundations generally have money, know nonprofits’ needs, and should be more inclined to give.
  • Real estate ownership. Real estate ownership is a wealth predictor, demonstrating a prospect’s capacity to give so you can formulate more accurate ask amounts.
  • Employer info. Many prospects work for employers offering matching gift programs. Focusing on matching gift-eligible employees can increase donations and boost your fundraising campaigns.
  • Stock transactions. A potential donor’s stock portfolio can also help you predict what prospects invest in and how much.
  • Personal information. Glean basic contact info, marital status, hobbies, and other personal data to make fundraising easier.

Prospect research puts the power of data into the hands of nonprofits. This data can directly aid fundraising and help other nonprofit efforts, such as strengthening donor relations. Whatever you use prospect research for, it is more data at your organization’s disposal, and knowledge is power when crafting personalized communications donors receive well.

Ways To conduct prospect research

Hire a Prospect Research Consultant

An effective prospect research consultant will leverage all available resources to gather your desired donor data. Consultants might also help train your staff to conduct prospect research, develop better prospect strategies, and support your prospect communications.

Use a Prospect Screening Company

Screening companies, sometimes called prospect research companies, will screen prospects for you, saving researchers time from sifting through databases and organizing the data. Screening companies provide the donor information you want in readily accessible and downloadable formats. This allows you to analyze many donors simultaneously, as screening results can be returned the next day or within the week, allowing your researchers and fundraisers to focus on other important tasks.

DIY Donor Research

You may also choose to conduct your prospect research independently when you have a staff researcher or team of researchers who can search databases, organize information, and make it accessible to your fundraising team. There are online databases and other information sources to sift through, so equip your researchers with the proper tools.

At CCS Fundraising, we have developed a 3-stage process to develop new prospects and expand your donor pipeline, called “Donor IQs” (Identification, Qualification, and Segmentation). Should your nonprofit choose to conduct donor research independently, we recommend the following steps:

1. Identifying Prospects

Prospects can be grouped into 3 buckets to prioritize to qualify and segment them appropriately.

2. Qualifying Prospects (The 3 As)

Ask yourself the following questions when attempting to determine the quality of a potential prospect.

  • Does this individual have the ability to give?
  • Does this individual have an affinity for my organization?
  • Do I have access to this individual?

To answer these questions, think about the following in terms of your prospects.

  • Ability markers include an affluent address(es), a wealthy lifestyle, and corporate executive or business owner roles.
  • Affinity can be evaluated by giving history to your organization or one similar or has a direct connection to you as a patron, student, alum, patient, parishioner, etc.
  • Access connection to the prospect via professional networks, local communities, alum organizations, religious affiliations, philanthropic activities, interest groups, and family/friends.

Prospects with all 3 factors—ability, affinity, and access—are the most likely to make a gift to your organization at the leadership level.

Some people do not qualify as promising prospects at this point in their lives. For example, young or new CEOs are still early in their careers and probably cannot be major donors. Additionally, when people are philanthropically overcommitted, they may not prioritize your organization in their choices. Lastly, celebrities may seem like a good choice, but they are approached by various organizations and are often unlikely to choose yours.

3. Segmenting and Tracking Donors

Segmenting and tracking prospects are the foundation for managing the donor base. When done well, these processes drive positive results by refreshing the prospect pool, focusing efforts on the right prospects, controlling the process, and building excitement around the organization.

Building a Donor Pipeline

The first step in tracking prospects is building the donor pipeline. The pipeline will serve as your tool for generating the donor lists for cultivation. We recommend including the following data points in the pipeline:

  • Name
  • Solicitation status (Ask, Brief, Cultivate)
  • Target ask and project
  • Key relationships
  • Affiliations
  • Strategy
  • Next steps

Other information may be useful, such as residence and contact information, organizational giving history, pledge payment status, charitable affiliations, and other major gifts. Of course, the additional information should be tailored to your specific organization or sector.

The donors in the pipeline should be segmented into these main buckets:

Make Your Donor Pipeline Work for you

The pipeline is your best way to manage a large prospect pool. It is a fluid, ever-changing document that is constantly added to and updated. When used well, it can be a powerful tool for understanding your donors and helping staff engage them meaningfully.

Managing prospects can be exciting as you reconnect with lapsed donors, engage existing donors on a higher level, or find new donors with an affinity for your organization’s mission. Simply put, well-researched donors allow you to focus on likely donors rather than spending valuable time on those not ready to give.

More Insights

Article

Nonprofit Data Management: How to Turn Messy Data into Quality Insights

March 31, 2025

Learn simple steps you can take to manage your nonprofit’s data no matter where you are in your data health journey.

Article

Elevate Your Major Gifts Fundraising Training with These Three Tactics

March 14, 2025

Strengthen major gifts fundraising training at your organization through capacity-building, sustainable learning practices.

In the high-pressure world of healthcare fundraising, attracting and retaining fundraising staff remains a perpetual challenge. In fact, 90% of fundraising professionals stated that unfilled fundraising positions significantly increased their workloads, and a similar percentage agreed that their organizations were underemployed to meet their potential for raised funds. While employee attraction is an important solution, employee retention can help you keep your excellent fundraising staff while avoiding the work and financial costs associated with hiring and recruiting new fundraising professionals.

Our ten tips for employee retention and innovative implementation ideas below will help you support a thriving team so that your healthcare organization continues to make a significant impact on the communities you serve.

1. Create Opportunities for Upward Mobility

Hospital fundraising professionals are often ambitious and driven individuals. Therefore, provide clear career advancement pathways to retain talented employees. Demonstrating opportunities for growth within your organization is key to retaining their loyalty. Develop a structured career progression plan that allows employees to set goals and work toward promotions.

A lightbulb icon

2. Communicate Fundraising Priorities

Some fundraising professionals report experiencing ambiguity around which fundraising priorities to discuss with donors. When not properly communicated, this lack of direction can lead to burnout.

Leadership can proactively outline fundraising priorities by implementing a structured communication framework. This may involve regular, transparent dialogues between hospital administration and fundraising teams to articulate and update fundraising goals. Additionally, fostering collaboration between different departments can create a unified approach, ensuring that fundraising professionals have up-to-date information to engage with donors effectively.

3. Provide Professional Development

Invest in the professional development of your fundraising team. Hospital work can be complex and challenging, and it is crucial that your employees have access to the training and resources they need to excel in their roles. Encourage your fundraising staff to attend workshops and conferences and take online courses. Consider creating an in-house mentoring program where experienced staff can guide newcomers.

A lightbulb icon

4. Generate and Reward Referrals

One of the most innovative approaches to employee retention is to engage your current team in recruiting top talent. Encourage your staff to refer potential candidates who align with the hospital’s mission, fundraising objectives, and team culture. Consider rewarding successful referrals with monetary incentives. This approach not only strengthens your team but also contributes to the organization’s growth.

A lightbulb icon

5. Promote Work-Life Balance and Wellbeing

Fundraising is hard work, and burnout is a common challenge. Hospital fundraisers frequently face intense demands, high expectations, and many responsibilities beyond fundraising. Your leadership is responsible for creating a work environment that prioritizes work-life balance and well-being. Encourage your team to take regular breaks and utilize time-off benefits. Offering flexible work schedules and remote work options can significantly reduce workplace burnout.

A lightbulb icon

6. Establish Flexible Workspaces

In today’s dynamic work landscape, the traditional office concept has evolved. Implementing flexible workspaces is an innovative approach that allows your employees to choose where they work most effectively. For instance, employees might have the flexibility to work from home, shared coworking spaces, or even unconventional locations like outdoor workspaces.

A lightbulb icon

7. Kickstart Peer Recognition Programs

Implementing peer recognition programs can be a game-changer for your organization’s culture. Encouraging employees to acknowledge and celebrate their colleagues’ accomplishments can instill a sense of belonging and mutual support. For example, you might launch a “Peer Spotlight Program” where team members can nominate their peers for recognition each month.

A lightbulb icon

8. Offer a Career Pathway Navigator

Navigating one’s career within an organization can sometimes feel like a labyrinth. An innovative approach to address this is to develop a digital tool or platform that maps potential career pathways within your organization. This Career Pathway Navigator can provide employees with a visual representation of roles they can aspire to and the skills and experiences required to reach those positions.

A lightbulb icon

9. Enlist Professional Coaches

Incorporating professional coaches into your employee development strategy is an investment that can significantly benefit both individuals and your organization as a whole. Coaches can guide staff in their personal and career development, helping them set and achieve meaningful goals. For instance, you could offer access to executive coaches who specialize in leadership development.

A lightbulb icon

10. Express Appreciation

Regularly expressing appreciation to your fundraising team is a small gesture that can make a big difference in retaining staff. Recognition can be as simple as a thank-you note, a team celebration, or an “Employee of the Month” program. Employees who feel valued and appreciated are more likely to remain committed and engaged in their work.

A lightbulb icon

These Approaches Prevent your fundraising staff from burning out and Drive Success at your healthcare organization

In the challenging world of healthcare fundraising, retaining top talent is an ongoing battle. Fundraising executives who adopt innovative strategies to support, engage, and motivate their teams will reap the benefits of improved staff retention and heightened fundraising success. By generating and rewarding referrals, offering competitive compensation and benefits, promoting work-life balance and well-being, creating opportunities for upward mobility, providing professional development, expressing appreciation, and integrating innovative approaches, you can create a workplace that not only retains staff but also inspires them to achieve greatness in their roles. Doing so will overcome workplace burnout, foster a culture of growth, and ultimately drive success for your hospital’s fundraising efforts and the healthcare community it serves.

More Insights

Article

How Philanthropy Drives Equity in Healthcare

April 2, 2025

Amidst shifts in policy surrounding equity in healthcare, philanthropy is emerging as a leading force in tackling persistent disparities.

Article

Nonprofit Data Management: How to Turn Messy Data into Quality Insights

March 31, 2025

Learn simple steps you can take to manage your nonprofit’s data no matter where you are in your data health journey.

SEE ALL IN: Health

Each year, on average, just over 10% of independent schools hire a new head of school, while the average tenure is less than six years. Bob Weston, Senior Vice President and Practice Lead of Independent Schools at CCS Fundraising, and Margot Mache, Vice President at CCS Fundraising, spoke with John Green, search consultant for RG175, about the implications of this trend on fundraising and the growing importance for heads to dedicate time to advancement. John’s 32 years of independent school leadership, including 12 years as a Head of School, informs his work as a search consultant.

A profile picture of Bob Weston.
A headshot of John Green.
A profile picture of Bob Weston.
A headshot of John Green.
A profile picture of Margot Mache.
A headshot of John Green.
A profile picture of Margot Mache.
A headshot of John Green.
A profile picture of Bob Weston.
A headshot of John Green.
A profile picture of Bob Weston.
A headshot of John Green.
A profile picture of Margot Mache.

More Insights

Article

Nonprofit Data Management: How to Turn Messy Data into Quality Insights

March 31, 2025

Learn simple steps you can take to manage your nonprofit’s data no matter where you are in your data health journey.

Article

Elevate Your Major Gifts Fundraising Training with These Three Tactics

March 14, 2025

Strengthen major gifts fundraising training at your organization through capacity-building, sustainable learning practices.