Every year, the Giving USA report provides one of the clearest pictures of charitable giving in America. As nonprofit leaders, we must understand what those statistics mean for the decisions you make every day. This year’s data tells a compelling story: generosity remains strong, but the way people give continues to evolve.

Following this June’s release of the 2025 trends, Lighthouse Counsel convened a panel of experienced fundraising leaders from higher education, healthcare, human services and independent schools to discuss everything from the trends they’re seeing firsthand to how organizations can respond with confidence.

Watch the full 2026 Giving USA Briefing.

Several themes emerged throughout the conversation.

Larger Gifts. Fewer Donors.

Across sectors, panelists reported a familiar pattern: overall fundraising totals remain strong, driven by transformational gifts, while donor participation continues to decline.

That reality reinforces the importance of building a healthy pipeline of donors at every level while continuing to cultivate meaningful relationships with those capable of making significant investments.

Planned Giving Is Becoming Today’s Opportunity

One of the most significant findings from the 2026 Giving USA Report was the continued growth in charitable bequests.

Our panelists emphasized that planned giving is no longer a specialized conversation reserved for large institutions. Instead, it has become an essential component of long-term fundraising strategy.

Perhaps the most memorable story came as Harvey Green shared an example of a donor who faithfully contributed modest annual gifts for more than three decades before ultimately leaving a multimillion-dollar estate gift. It was a powerful reminder that consistent stewardship often yields extraordinary results.

Donors Continue to Prioritize Impact

Today’s donors increasingly want more than a transaction. They want partnership. They want transparency. And most importantly, they want to understand how their generosity changes lives.

Organizations that clearly communicate outcomes, demonstrate progress and invite donors into the mission are earning greater trust and deeper investment.

Relationships Remain the Competitive Advantage

Artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and new fundraising technologies are changing how organizations identify and engage prospective donors, yet every panelist returned to the same conclusion: technology can strengthen fundraising, but it cannot replace authentic relationships.

The future belongs to organizations that leverage new tools while remaining deeply committed to personal stewardship and meaningful donor engagement.

Looking Ahead

The Giving USA report provides valuable data. Conversations like these help transform that data into practical strategy.

As philanthropy continues to evolve, nonprofit leaders who remain adaptable, mission-focused and committed to authentic relationships will be well positioned to serve their communities and advance their missions.

We invite you to watch the full panel discussion and consider how these emerging trends may shape your organization’s fundraising strategy in the years ahead.