By Eddie Allen, Founder & Lead Guide, Pacific Northwest Fundraising [email protected]
Schedule a conversation: meetings.hubspot.com/eddie94
1. Philanthropy Is Growing — But It’s Getting Smarter
In 2024, Americans gave $592.5 billion to charity — a 6.3% increase over 2023. Adjusted for inflation, that’s still a 3.3% gain in real giving.
But dig a little deeper and you’ll see where the shift is happening:
- Foundations grew at an 8.5% annualized rate over five years
- Individuals grew at 5.4%
Donors are becoming more strategic. They’re giving through structures, not just sentiment. They expect accountability, transparency, and infrastructure.
At PNWF, we don’t help organizations “just get more grants.” We help them become the kind of organizations that deserve them.
2. No Database, No Donor Development
One of our core principles at PNWF is simple:
No database = No donor development.
And Giving USA proves it. Organizations that track, analyze, and act on donor data raise more money and retain more donors. Period.
Still, we see nonprofits struggling with:
- Incomplete CRM systems
- Reactive, inconsistent donor tracking
- No reporting mechanisms to show ROI
Infrastructure isn’t a luxury. It’s a prerequisite for growth.
3. Your Board Must Be Development-Ready
Fundraising in 2025 isn’t just about having the right tools but the right messengers.
Boards that can’t explain why giving matters or demonstrate impact per dollar will lose ground. PNWF helps train boards to:
- Embrace development as a shared responsibility.
- Speak fluently about philanthropic ROI
- Model stewardship from the top down
The Development Director can’t do it all. Fundraising is a team sport.
4. The Future Is Hybrid, Relational, and Mission-Led
Yes, online giving is up. Yes, recurring donations are rising. Yes, multi-channel campaigns matter.
But let’s be honest:
We’re a fundraising and development company, not a social media agency chasing vanity metrics.
Likes don’t build legacies. Systems do. We help our clients:
- Build donor journeys that work online and in person
- Track engagement with intention
- Balance automation with authenticity
You don’t have to choose between heart and strategy. You need both.
Final Thought
This year’s report measures more than generosity—it measures readiness, and many nonprofits aren’t ready yet.
Let’s talk about whether your organization has the infrastructure.
And let’s be clear: We’re not here to chase likes. We’re here to build the systems that steward donors, grow revenue, and fuel missions that matter.
That’s the work. And it’s never been more needed.