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This time of year, graduation is everywhere.

Proud parents posting photos. Speeches about new beginnings. Kids in caps and gowns who look both younger and older than seems possible.

Friends of mine were recently sharing they had a whole season of graduations going on – multiple friends and family members crossing thresholds – even the same weekend. A lot of parties and celebrations to be part of.

But I sensed something even bigger might be going on. I said, “This sounds like a big theme in your life right now. What are you yourself graduating from?”

Then another question came to mind.

“And what are you graduating to?” I asked.

These are good questions for leaders, too.

What does your organization need to graduate from?

By Gary Laermer and Kali Righter

The latest Fundraising Effectiveness Project data (Q4 2025), reveals overall giving is up 5% in 2025, which is a very encouraging signal. But that growth is being driven by a smaller group of donors, as the total number of donors continues to decline.

It’s not the plan that gets tested first.

It’s the story.

You know that moment in Elton John’s Your Song where the singer admits he doesn’t have much, but still offers the song because it’s the most honest thing he has to give?

That’s what I’ve been thinking about lately in conversations with nonprofit leaders. The ability to say, simply and clearly: this is who we are, and this is why it matters.

In seasons of pressure, that kind of clarity of story matters, sometimes more than anything else.

Mid-level giving (often defined as gifts in the ~$250–$10,000 range, varying by organization) is increasingly becoming the make-or-break layer between broad-based annual giving and major gifts.

Many of you are likely facing reduced donor counts and struggling retention rates, even though your total dollars raised is holding steady or growing. This means you may be becoming more dependent on fewer donors. And you are not alone as shown in reports published by the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP) that illustrate this dynamic trend.

Recently passed tax legislation will bring significant changes to charitable giving starting in 2026, creating both opportunities and challenges for donors across all income levels. Understanding these changes now could help you thoughtfully guide your donors through this altered landscape as they plan their year-end giving.

If you're anything like me, you've probably found yourself staring at a blank document titled "Case for Support" more than once in your career. That moment when you need to distill your organization's entire heart and soul, its mission, impact, and vision, into something that resonates with potential supporters.  

I've been a part of a few conversations lately about navigating the changing landscape of nonprofit communications. One theme keeps emerging: many of us are cautiously exploring how new tools, including AI, might help with fundamental development work like crafting a case for support—without losing the authentic human connection that is at the core of what we do. 

The time between Thanksgiving and year-end offers a prime window for fundraising, as people often feel a heightened sense of generosity and motivation to support causes they care about. This season can be a tremendous opportunity to engage donors, share your mission’s impact, and inspire end-of-year contributions. Here are some practical fundraising strategies and tactics to maximize your campaign success during this season:

The Great Wealth Transfer is underway. Up to $90 trillion is expected to be passed on from wealthy, older generations over the next twenty years. $60 billion of that is predicted to be gifted in 2024.

If you’ve been neglecting your planned giving efforts - or putting them off entirely – it’s time to stop.

Besides the potential for transformational gifts, your organization should absolutely invest time in seeking planned gifts now for several compelling reasons:

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, timely, clear, and compassionate communication is essential for nonprofit organizations seeking to raise support for recovery efforts. Whether you are in this situation now or in the future, here are things to consider to help you stay connected to your donors – both immediately after you have assessed the damages, and in the months following as you continue to rebuild.

Where to start 

Once you have assessed the damages and identified urgent community needs, it's time to initiate your communications. But don’t wait too long. You don’t have to have all the answers before you start to reach out. Prioritize transparency and urgency in your outreach, while also offering hope and tangible ways for donors to make an impact. Early communications should focus on immediate needs and establish a foundation for ongoing updates as recovery efforts continue.

Whether you’re looking to finish strong on an already successful year, or you’re looking to close a gap to goal, this story of a high school wrestling tournament offers four ways to help any team reach their goal in the face of adversity.

First, let me set the stage…