Fundraising Like it’s 2026

By Robin Elmerick, Sr. Director of Effective Philanthropy

If fundraising feels different lately, you’re not imagining it. 

Nonprofits are operating in a rapidly changing environment. Organizations across Central Indiana are navigating increased demand for services, uncertainty around public funding, evolving corporate giving priorities and donors who are thinking differently about how, when and where they give. 

At the same time, many individuals, families and businesses are reassessing their philanthropic strategies amid economic volatility, changing tax policies and growing community needs. Some donors are leaning further into their giving, while others are taking more time to evaluate where they can have the greatest impact. 

For nonprofit leaders, these shifts can create understandable questions. Will donors continue to give at the same levels? How will corporate philanthropy evolve? What role will tax incentives play in future giving decisions? And how can organizations build stronger relationships in an increasingly complex environment? 

While there are no simple answers, one thing remains clear: people still want to make a difference. Organizations that communicate clearly, build meaningful relationships and connect donors to tangible impact will be best positioned to thrive in the years ahead. 

Above all, lead with purpose 

Given all the above, now is a good time to revisit your fundraising and stewardship messages, especially before year-end planning begins. 

The classic “make your tax-deductible gift before December 31st” message may not carry the same weight it once did. Donors still care deeply about making a difference, but they increasingly want to understand the impact of their giving. What changed because of their support? Who benefited? What progressed? Clear, specific answers build confidence and deepen engagement. 

Tax incentives may influence timing, but they are rarely the primary reason people give. Donors support organizations because they care about outcomes, community impact and the future of Central Indiana. In periods of uncertainty, clear communication about your mission and impact matters even more. 

Generosity is often sparked by stories of impact and vision for the future. When organizations invite donors into moments throughout the year, they create meaningful opportunities for people to celebrate, support and sustain the work that strengthens our communities every day. 

Create reasons to give throughout the year 

There are meaningful opportunities all year long to support organizations making an impact in our communities. 

Back-to-school season is a natural time to rally around students, teachers and families preparing for a new year. An organization’s anniversary milestone or campaign launch can also serve as a powerful opportunity to celebrate impact and invite supporters into the story. 

Whether recognizing years of service, the opening of a new space, the expansion of a program, or a record number of individuals served, these moments help connect generosity to tangible impact and give donors meaningful opportunities to engage beyond a single campaign or season. 

While nonprofits should be transparent about urgent challenges and increased needs when they arise, donor engagement is strongest when supporters are invited into the organization’s story throughout the year—not just during year-end appeals or moments of crisis. 

Stay close to individual donors 

Not all donors are responding the same way. Some donors may pull back while others lean further into community support, especially when they see growing needs around them. It’ll be important to stay engaged with your entire donor base rather than assume a single trend applies to everyone. 

Tax planning is not one-size-fits-all. Some donors may be less motivated by charitable deductions than they were in the past, while others may be newly encouraged by smaller above-the-line deductions. Nonprofits that tailor messages to different donor groups, rather than relying on one broad appeal, will be better positioned to sustain and grow support. 

Donors may be looking for guidance, even if they are not asking directly. While nonprofits should never provide tax advice, you can remind donors to speak with their advisors and share general information about giving strategies, such as gifts of appreciated assets, donor-advised funds or Qualified Charitable Distributions. Simple, consistent communication can help donors stay engaged and informed. 

This is all part of donor stewardship: getting to know where your donors are, what factors might influence or motivate their giving, and then working with them and their financial advisors to think through how intentional giving can help them achieve their personal and philanthropic goals. As with so much of the work we do, it is about relationships and listening. 

Don’t give up on corporate donors 

Businesses still care deeply about community. However, they may be looking for partnerships that feel more strategic, measurable and connected to their values. For nonprofits, that means relationships matter more than ever. 

Make sure your cultivation efforts include not only the company but also the specific people who influence giving decisions. Executives, board members and employees involved in corporate philanthropy should be part of your relationship-building strategy. 

Corporate leaders and employees are individuals with their own values and charitable interests. They may also give through donor-advised funds, family foundations or personal philanthropy. A strong relationship with a corporate leader can open multiple pathways for support over time. 

Take time to understand their priorities, attend events where they are present, and create opportunities for meaningful connection beyond a single request. Relationship-building at the individual level can lead to deeper trust, stronger advocacy and sustained support over time. 

Despite the economic volatility, corporate donors are still looking for trusted partners who can deliver meaningful results in the communities where they operate. 

Make giving methods easy to understand 

Flexibility matters, too. Some donors may begin bunching gifts, using donor-advised funds or exploring multi-year giving strategies. Organizations that make giving simple and communicate options clearly will be better positioned to maintain strong donor relationships. 

Donor-advised funds and other giving vehicles continue to play an important role in philanthropy. Make it easy for donors to recommend grants to your organization, acknowledge those gifts promptly and maintain clear communication with partners like CICF. 

These changes create an opportunity to make donor communication clearer, more relevant and more focused on impact. 

Keep showing up 

This is one area where CICF can help. We will continue sharing updates on charitable giving trends, donor behavior and tax law developments that may affect nonprofits across the region.  

Most importantly, thank you for the work you do every day to strengthen Central Indiana. From meeting urgent needs to improving quality of life through parks, trails, arts, education and civic infrastructure, nonprofits remain essential to our region’s future. 

Our task is to continue building relationships, stay engaged and share clear stories of impact. Big things can still happen when the right connections and a shared definition of community impact are in place. 

About the author

Robin Elmerick, senior director of effective philanthropy has been with CICF since 2019. A certified Impact Philanthropy Advisor, she works closely with fundholders to help them define their philanthropic strategies and maximize their impact. With a background in nonprofit leadership and consulting, she is passionate about bridging the needs of the community with the missions of nonprofits and the passions of our fundholders, aligning all three to create meaningful change in Central Indiana and beyond.