State of Good.

Pure Charity’s State of Good for November 2, 2026 is a free intelligence brief covering three converging shifts reshaping the nonprofit sector. The Fundraising Effectiveness Project confirms that total donation dollars are increasing while active donor counts continue to decline, concentrating revenue risk among fewer households. New Urban Institute research reveals that small charities lost a median 28% of their budgets due to federal funding cuts — a blow that larger organizations could absorb but smaller ones often could not. Meanwhile, studies from The NonProfit Times and Stanford Social Innovation Review show that first-time donors increasingly arrive through social and peer-to-peer channels, while AI-driven search narrows organic discovery for nonprofits. The report includes specific action steps for separating donor count trends from revenue trends, auditing new-donor acquisition sources, protecting pipelines during revenue concentration, and rewriting year-end appeals using the identifiable victim effect. It also features the University of Arizona’s record-breaking $2.1 billion capital campaign as a case study in ambitious fundraising vision. This free intelligence brief is designed for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and board members navigating year-end strategy in a rapidly shifting landscape.

Pure Charity’s State of Good intelligence brief reveals a striking disconnect in the nonprofit funding landscape: just 12% of foundations believe their response to federal funding cuts has worked, while corporate giving consolidates around fewer charitable partners. Meanwhile, Gen Z donors are driving new donor acquisition, but most Americans remain unaware of how nonprofits impact their daily lives. This free intelligence brief examines the widening gap between funder intentions and nonprofit needs, the corporate partnership consolidation trend, promising donor acquisition data from the youngest generation, and the fundamental visibility challenge facing the entire sector. Key findings include monthly donor retention rates of 90% compared to 46% for one-time donors, and actionable strategies for organizations navigating this shifting landscape.

Pure Charity’s State of Good Report for September 21, 2026 reveals dramatic shifts reshaping nonprofit strategy. New analysis shows the Trump administration has cut or frozen $177 billion in federal grants across all 50 states, forcing previously government-funded organizations into private fundraising markets and intensifying competition for individual gifts, foundation grants, and corporate partnerships. Meanwhile, 98% of nonprofits now use AI according to NTEN and Bridgespan research, but most lack budgets, roadmaps, or training for responsible implementation. The adoption pattern is top-down, with managers embracing AI while staff approach it hesitantly, creating governance gaps. FreeWill’s 2026 DAF Report highlights the priority-action disconnect: organizations call donor-advised funds a priority but fail to implement basic operational changes like DAF widgets or appeal language. New messaging research reveals that need-based appeals can increase giving when framed properly, pairing need with capability and specific plans. The bright spot: bequest revenue grew 19.7% as the great wealth transfer accelerates, with small nonprofits positioned to capture legacy gifts through simple program launches. This free intelligence brief provides actionable insights for navigating funding landscape changes, AI governance, and donor behavior shifts.

Weekly insights on donor behavior, industry trends, and what's shaping generosity⏱️ 9 minutes | Once a weekTwenty-five years after 9/11, we're getting a masterclass in what it takes for a nonprofit to last. This week's brief covers mission evolution, a proposed...

Pure Charity’s latest State of Good intelligence brief analyzes fifteen years of philanthropic evolution and reveals why some nonprofits thrive while others struggle. New research on over one million nonprofit records challenges assumptions about charity ratings, while unrestricted funding shifts from exception to mainstream. The report examines how organizations that read trend lines early consistently outperform those waiting for certainty, featuring data-driven insights on donor behavior, trust signals, and strategic adaptation. This free intelligence brief also highlights innovative giving structures, including a business owner who donated an entire company to charitable trust instead of selling. Essential reading for nonprofit leaders navigating sector transformation and positioning for sustainable growth.