https://www.convergentnonprofit.com Convergent News Feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 05:20:15 +0000 en-US https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/69721/why-chambers-and-edos-must-align-before-a-fundraising-campaign-begins https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/69721/why-chambers-and-edos-must-align-before-a-fundraising-campaign-begins Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/69713/how-development-audits-help-nonprofits-find-fundraising-opportunities https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/69713/how-development-audits-help-nonprofits-find-fundraising-opportunities Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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,... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/69202/major-giving-strategy-a-guide-to-major-gift-fundraising https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/69202/major-giving-strategy-a-guide-to-major-gift-fundraising Mon, 14 Sep 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/69198/building-sustainable-capital-through-annual-giving https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/69198/building-sustainable-capital-through-annual-giving Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68948/recurring-giving-how-to-build-sustainable-nonprofit-revenue https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68948/recurring-giving-how-to-build-sustainable-nonprofit-revenue Wed, 26 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68852/build-board-buyin-before-the-big-ask-aligning-strategy-and-accountability https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68852/build-board-buyin-before-the-big-ask-aligning-strategy-and-accountability Tue, 25 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68850/managing-the-campaign-after-the-public-launch https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68850/managing-the-campaign-after-the-public-launch Tue, 25 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68692/weve-been-saying-it-for-years-the-data-just-caught-up https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68692/weve-been-saying-it-for-years-the-data-just-caught-up Wed, 12 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68691/donoradvised-funds-stop-waiting-at-the-gate-unlock-it https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68691/donoradvised-funds-stop-waiting-at-the-gate-unlock-it Wed, 12 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68690/corporate-giving-is-stable-and-increasingly-selective https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68690/corporate-giving-is-stable-and-increasingly-selective Wed, 12 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68688/bequests-are-a-portfolio-not-a-paycheck https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68688/bequests-are-a-portfolio-not-a-paycheck Wed, 12 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68687/the-donor-base-is-shrinking-depth-beats-breadth-now https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68687/the-donor-base-is-shrinking-depth-beats-breadth-now Wed, 12 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68429/recruit-board-members-who-can-fund-the-strategy https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68429/recruit-board-members-who-can-fund-the-strategy Tue, 28 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68162/giving-usa-2026-analysis-a-record-617-billion-and-why-funding-is-harder-to-reach-than-ever https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/68162/giving-usa-2026-analysis-a-record-617-billion-and-why-funding-is-harder-to-reach-than-ever Mon, 29 Jun 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/61548/the-ultimate-guide-to-comprehensive-vs-capital-campaigns https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/61548/the-ultimate-guide-to-comprehensive-vs-capital-campaigns Mon, 22 Jun 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/67707/move-beyond-onetime-fundraising-efforts-and-build-a-strategy-for-longterm-stability https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/67707/move-beyond-onetime-fundraising-efforts-and-build-a-strategy-for-longterm-stability Tue, 26 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/67706/emerging-funding-priorities-are-reshaping-economic-development-operations https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/67706/emerging-funding-priorities-are-reshaping-economic-development-operations Tue, 26 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000 Economic development organizations (EDOs) now operate in a markedly different environment than five years ago. Population changes, labor fluctuations, housing pressures, and infrastructure demands impact communities of all sizes. Expectations have evolved, with business leaders, officials, and residents seeking EDO engagement on issues beyond business attraction and marketing.Traditional economic development... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/67357/ai-is-changing-fundraising-and-how-you-use-it-determines-whether-it-delivers-results https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/67357/ai-is-changing-fundraising-and-how-you-use-it-determines-whether-it-delivers-results Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000 AI is moving faster than most organizations can absorb. Nonprofit leaders are facing a familiar pattern. New tools arrive at a rapid pace. Expectations rise just as quickly. Staff and boards ask the same question in every planning session. What do we do with this?The pressure is real.Development teams are... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/67356/housing-supply-is-starting-to-shape-economic-development-outcomes https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/67356/housing-supply-is-starting-to-shape-economic-development-outcomes Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000 Housing availability and cost have gained greater influence on business decisions, alongside workforce availability and quality of life, as well as taxes and infrastructure. Employers and site selectors continually assess whether workers can find suitable housing within a reasonable commute, especially for large projects.When the housing supply is limited. And... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/67888/industry-alignment-separates-contenders-from-longshots https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/67888/industry-alignment-separates-contenders-from-longshots Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000 By Andy Coe, Principal at Convergent Nonprofit SolutionsA focused approach is essential for attracting successful businesses. Mid-sized communities that pursue broad recruitment often weaken their competitive position. Aligning assets with targeted industries increases success rates and minimizes wasted effort.Industry clusters offer measurable advantages. Shared suppliers, skilled labor, and compatible infrastructure... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/56322/5-nonprofit-collaboration-examples-and-fundraising-results https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/56322/5-nonprofit-collaboration-examples-and-fundraising-results Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000  When your nonprofit works with community stakeholders and even other organizations, you can amplify your impact, reach new audiences, and achieve greater success in advancing your mission. Now more than ever, collaboration is a necessary tactic for successful nonprofits.Interested in nonprofit partnerships, but not sure where to start? The following... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/66816/10-capital-campaign-consultants-to-hire-for-your-campaign https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/66816/10-capital-campaign-consultants-to-hire-for-your-campaign Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/67887/data-now-determines-which-communities-compete https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/67887/data-now-determines-which-communities-compete Tue, 17 Mar 2026 04:00:00 +0000 By Andy Coe, Principal at Convergent Nonprofit SolutionsSite selection was once driven by perception, but that is no longer the case. Today, quantitative models guide decisions, and assumptions are regularly tested. For mid-sized communities, verified data often determines whether a market progresses or is eliminated.Transportation costs, labor availability, and utility... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/66641/press-release-convergent-and-resource-development-group-merge https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/66641/press-release-convergent-and-resource-development-group-merge Sun, 01 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 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... https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/62825/25-fundraising-consultants-to-hire-to-boost-your-revenue https://www.convergentnonprofit.com/blog/p/item/62825/25-fundraising-consultants-to-hire-to-boost-your-revenue Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000 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...