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Giving USA 2026 is being celebrated as a banner year. Look underneath the headline and a different story emerges — one that explains why an investment-driven approach to fundraising matters more now than at any point in the last 40 years.Americans gave a record $617.20 billion to charity in 2025...
Many nonprofits struggle with unpredictable fundraising cycles, relying on short-term grants, annual campaigns, and event-based revenue streams. This reactive approach leaves organizations vulnerable to economic shifts, grant expirations, and donor fatigue. Your nonprofit may be feeling this stress right now, given the uncertainty in federal grant funding and shifting donor...
With capital campaigns being multi-year commitments that can raise transformative funding for nonprofits, it’s natural that mission-driven organizations reach out to expert professionals for assistance with their upcoming campaigns. That’s where the capital campaign consultant can lend you their expertise and experience.Capital campaign consultants offer a range of services related...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 1, 2026For more information, contact:Brian Abernathy, General ManagerEmail: babernathy@convergentnonprofit.com Phone: 678.835.8735 ATLANTA, GA — At the International Economic Development Council Leadership Summit, March 1–3, Convergent announced its merger with Resource Development Group. Effective immediately, RDG will operate as RDG, a Convergent Company. This partnership unites two respected fundraising firms under...
Since nonprofit organizations rely on gifts from donors to support their mission, a thorough fundraising strategy is critical. However, even nonprofits with thorough funding plans run into obstacles at times, resulting in unmet goals and worries about sustainability and long-term plans.Whether you’re encountering times of economic uncertainty or campaigns inexplicably...
Fundraising feasibility studies are the foundation of successful capital campaigns. Starting a major campaign without one is like starting a road trip without a map—it will be challenging to reach the desired destination.At Convergent Nonprofit Solutions, we have a proven process for conducting feasibility studies. Our approach has fueled the...
The latest Brookings analysis confirms something many of us have sensed for a while: big‑city growth is slowing again. Not collapsing, not spiraling — just slowing. And in that slowdown, you can feel the shift in how people choose where to live, work, and build their lives.For those of us in...
Even with a committed board, experienced development staff, a full calendar, and a CRM packed with donor records, a nonprofit can still leave fundraising capacity unused.That is one reason development audits can be valuable for nonprofit executive directors and board members. A thoughtful review examines how an organization manages fundraising,...
Major community campaigns don’t just raise money — they test organizational discipline. When chambers, EDOs, foundations, and nonprofits move into active solicitation, every pressure point becomes visible: overlapping outreach, inconsistent messaging, unclear authority, strained staff capacity, and partner organizations unintentionally competing for the same prospects.The organizations that thrive are the...
Charitable giving recently crossed a historic milestone, surpassing $617 billion in a single year. Yet beneath this macro-level growth lies a challenging reality for the sector: the total pool of individual funders continues to contract. In 2025, the number of donors declined by about 3.6%, continuing a downward trend that...
Stable and predictable funding is the true foundation of long-term nonprofit health. That’s where a well-structured annual giving program makes all the difference. Your annual fund drives revenue for your nonprofit year-round, providing the unrestricted funds needed to direct resources where they are most critical, all while deepening community trust...
Did you know that while total charitable giving reached a record $617.20 billion in 2025, this milestone represents only a 3.0% increase when adjusted for inflation? In a landscape defined by constant economic volatility, how can your nonprofit secure the financial stability required to genuinely thrive?This is where recurring giving...
The public launch of an economic development fundraising campaign is an important milestone. It signals broad community engagement, visible investor commitment, and a shared vision for the future.Yet organizations that work with RDG, a Convergent Company understand that the launch is not the finish line, it is only the beginning...
You already know that your board is responsible for leading your organization, but did you realize their engagement in fundraising will likely set the trajectory for your fundraising success? An engaged board should be an actively giving (and/or “getting”) board. Having the board’s full support is key to being ready for...
Individual giving is up in total dollars but hollowing out in number of donors. Here's why an investment-driven approach is the answer to a constricting base.The Giving Institute’s 2026 Giving USA report shows that individual giving reached $394.20 billion in 2025 — but that headline hides a structural problem the...
Bequest giving jumped 19.7% in 2025 — driven largely by one estate. Here's how an investment-driven approach captures the upside without betting the budget on it.The Giving Institute’s 2026 Giving USA report reported bequest giving totaled $62.19 billion in 2025, up 19.7%. It's tempting to read that as a dependable...
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Corporations give predictably, but the flat average hides a widening split between winners and losers. Here's how to land on the right side of it.Corporate giving reached $43.67 billion in 2025 and has held near 1% of pre-tax profits for two decades — dependable, profit-linked, and, on the surface, stable...
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DAFs hold $326 billion and grant tens of billions a year. The money is flowing — the question is whether it flows to you.Donor-advised funds are the fastest-growing vehicle in philanthropy: $326 billion in assets, a record $89.6 billion contributed, and a record $64.9 billion granted out in 2024. Grantmaking...
Giving USA’s 2026 report: a data driven case for the Investment-Driven Model™ — and what that means for your nonprofit.Convergent was founded on the premise that nonprofits should stop asking for charity and start seeking investment in the valuable social return they deliver to their funders and communities. The process...
Economic development organizations often spend significant time building strategic plans, identifying target industries, and setting performance goals. Yet many struggle to secure the investment needed to execute those plans. In many cases, the challenge is not the strategy itself. The challenge is board composition.While a board that reflects community interests...
With public sector dollars under pressure and anti-growth voices growing in intensity, economic development organizations are under increasing pressure to demonstrate measurable value. Stakeholders now expect clear evidence that investments deliver meaningful economic results. Funding is justified by outcomes, not activities.An outcome-based investment framework enables economic development organizations to link...
As a nonprofit leader, you know that to keep your organization afloat, you need to diversify your streams, including earning grants, executing capital campaigns, and securing major gifts. In your process of brainstorming revenue streams, you may not have considered one idea: investing.In this article, we’ll explore whether nonprofits can...
By: Brian Abernathy, General Manager of ConvergentIn a rapidly changing philanthropic landscape, nonprofits can no longer afford to rely on a one-size-fits-all fundraising strategy. As older generations transition into retirement and younger demographics step into their peak earning years, understanding the nuances of who is giving — and why —...
Nonprofit leaders are under more pressure than ever to show real results while dealing with fundraising challenges, staff shortages, and increasing community needs. Many still depend on annual campaigns, events, and donor appeals, but these often yield unpredictable results and slow long-term growth. This approach puts too much at risk.At...
