3 Fundraising Trends in 2022 That Are Not Going Away

As 2022 draws to a close, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on what 2022 brought in fundraising and what 2023 may bring.

After countless conversations with clients and my colleagues here at Evolve Giving Group, here are the 2022 fundraising trends that I believe we’ll see more of in the new year:

In-person events such as galas and golf outings are not making a resurgence. And for many of us that’s a good thing! Events are expensive and incredibly time-consuming, and the ROI is not there. The decline of these in-person events means we need to find other opportunities to create community amongst our donors, because that’s still an important piece.

We will continue finding new, creative ways of communicating with our donors. In 2022, photography, videos, and digital campaigns are the name of the game. Between 2018 and 2022, digital fundraising campaigns are up by 42%. If that’s not a tool you’re currently using, you are missing out! (For some of Evolve’s top tips on better storytelling in your donor communications, check out this blog.)

Donor stewardship is crucial. It’s hard to recapture some of those first time gifts we received during the pandemic. We have to work hard to steward those gifts and keep those new donors in the fold. I encourage you to engage your full team in this important goal. Handwritten notes, phone calls, and personalized outreach are the best way to ensure we achieve those gifts again. (Check out 5 Ways to Improve Your Stewardship for more concrete ideas!)

Looking Ahead to 2023

Although inflation is hitting the low-end of our giving pyramid very hard right now, we are still seeing major gifts coming in and organizations making progress on their capital and major gifts campaigns. If you’re worried about the impact inflation will have on your fundraising or your organization, check out 5 Ways to Tackle Inflation as a Nonprofit Leader.

And as always, if you have any concerns that need a more personalized approach, reach out to us at info@evolvegg.com. We can’t wait to work with you in the new year!