Top 10 Fundraising Trends in 2025

Are You Ready to Embrace the Future of Fundraising?

Step into the next era of fundraising, where connection meets creativity and innovation drives impact. Think artificial intelligence (AI) tools that predict donor needs, immersive campaigns that bring your mission to life, and giving experiences that feel as personal as a handwritten note. This isn’t the future—it’s happening now.

We asked our Graphcom experts to share their top trends for fundraising in 2025. Whether raising funds for a new hospital or a community initiative, these insights will empower you to think beyond the traditional, spark new ideas, and help you engage your supporters in fresh, compelling ways.

Ellen Wetzel, Art Director

1. Building More Momentum with Mobile

In 2025, fundraising is all about meeting your donors where they already are—online. Elevate your efforts by adding more touchpoints like QR codes in print mail campaigns to bridge the gap between physical and digital. As younger, tech-savvy donors enter the mix, your fundraising should match the fast, engaging experiences they get from platforms like TikTok. By making it easy and showcasing your cause across multiple digital channels, you’ll build stronger connections with the next generation of supporters.

2. Stronger Synergy Between Design and Editorial

Design consistency is about more than looking good. It’s essential for strong, unified campaigns. Ensuring your design and editorial work in harmony across all touchpoints—print mail, social media, donation pages, and more—builds trust, enhances brand recognition, and creates memorable campaigns.

Krista Scarlett, Editorial Director

3. Greater Adoption of AI

More than half of nonprofits use AI, but it shouldn’t completely replace the human touch. Think of AI as your behind-the-scenes partner, handling routine tasks so your team can focus on building authentic, meaningful partnerships with donors. In addition to writing higher-performing subject lines or identifying giving patterns, AI can also help automate tasks like list segmentation, predicting donor behavior, creating content calendars and schedules, and more.

4. Real Stories, Real Change

Your donors want to connect with stories of real people, real challenges, and real, urgent causes. It’s nothing new but more important than ever given our current climate. According to the Stanford Graduate School of Business, people remember stories up to 22 times more than facts alone, and donors who feel emotionally connected to your cause through storytelling are more likely to increase their giving compared to those who are not emotionally engaged.

This year, donors will especially connect with transparent impact stories related to mental health, healthcare innovation, climate change, social justice and equality, food insecurity, veterans, education and workforce development, animal welfare, and humanitarian aid. The winning formula is still the same: authenticity and human connection.

Ashley Woodford, Business Development Specialist

5. Future-Focused Fundraising

As Baby Boomers prepare for the largest wealth transfer in history—$84 trillion over the next two decades—now is the time for meaningful conversations about legacy giving. By educating donors on flexible options like donor-advised funds (DAFs), your organization can secure its future while honoring donor legacies. Over the past decade, total charitable assets have surged to more than $250 billion, with nearly 2 million active DAF accounts. If your organization doesn’t offer or promote these options, you’re leaving money on the table.

6. Creating a Culture of Giving

Workplace giving is rising, with 39% of companies planning to expand their programs in the next two years. Younger employees, in particular, are driving the demand for more purpose-driven philanthropy initiatives that reflect their values. Digital platforms make it easier than ever for team members to participate through matched gifts, team fundraisers, and skill-based volunteer opportunities, both remote and in-person. Tapping into workplace social networks and getting employees on board from day one helps make philanthropy a natural part of your work culture. (Check out this case study to learn how we helped the Wellstar Foundation raise more money through team member giving.)

Christina Karolewicz, Data Strategy Director

7. Measuring What Matters

Data-driven decisions are key to successful fundraising. It’s not just about the numbers—it’s about using data to build stronger, more meaningful connections with your donors. By analyzing donor behavior and using A/B testing, you can optimize everything from email timing to direct mail design. Use your donor insights to refine messaging, target your print materials to those who respond best to physical mail, reach digital-first donors with personalized online outreach, and so much more. This ensures data, not guesswork, guides every dollar spent.

8. Data-Driven Distribution

Static distribution lists are out, and behavior-based segmentation is in. AI systems can now analyze donor interactions in real time, creating dynamic groups based on engagement, giving patterns, and interests, not just demographics. These lists adjust automatically when donors shift behaviors, like engaging with new content or changing giving habits. This leads to more precise targeting and personalized outreach, especially for multi-channel campaigns. Also, data says don’t forget about Gen Z. Even though they earn less than Millennials and Gen X, they’re donating a similar percentage of their income, showing a strong commitment to giving, according to Gusto.

Troy Dean, VP of Creative

9. Using Automation to Your Advantage

Automation is changing donor stewardship by making it more personalized and responsive. With smart workflows, your organization can craft tailored donor journeys, re-engage lapsed donors, and ensure every donor feels valued. According to Nonprofit Tech for Good, about 78% of nonprofits already use email automation for fundraising, for example. Of those, 70% send automatic donation receipts, 32% send year-end tax receipts, 32% welcome new online donors, and 23% follow up on expired credit cards for recurring donations. They’re not just automating basic tasks but personalizing with messaging that aligns with donor interests, timely thank-yous, and impact updates.

10. Getting Creative with Every Communication

Fundraising in 2025 is all about creativity. From hybrid fundraising events with virtual reality to social media-driven challenges, donors want more than just a donation—they want an experience. The best organizations treat fundraising like a creative playground, testing new ideas like gamified giving portals or interactive tours for capital campaigns to surprise, delight, and deepen donor engagement while staying true to their mission.