Overview: 2026 Q1 FEP Report
The Q1 FEP Report is generated using a new methodology. Read more about these changes here.
Dataset Overview
Donors
3.2M
Dollars
$3.5B
Organizations
15.7K
There was an estimated 4.3% increase in dollars raised in Q1 2026 compared to the same period in 2025: still healthy but decelerating from 5.4% growth a year earlier and 10.4% the year before that. It’s a sign that at least some of the exceptional late-2025 surge may have been donors pulling gifts forward, ahead of anticipated tax law changes, rather than genuinely new giving.
Donor counts, meanwhile, fell an estimated 0.8% from the previous year, an improvement from the 2.3% decline seen a year earlier. However, this was driven by growth in the existing donor segment, while new donor acquisition continued to decline. The improvement appears concentrated among mid-level donor segments, suggesting the sector’s growing investment in stewardship and personalization for that tier may be starting to pay off.
In anticipation of the upcoming Giving season, these trends call for a two-track response. Organizations should treat the moderate donor decline as an early signal to build on, not a problem solved, by doubling down on mid-level stewardship. There’s still a gap to be closed on new-donor acquisition and conversion, ideally by locking in monthly-sustainer commitments at the point of first gift.
Strategic Insights to Strengthen 2026 Fundraising
Strategic Insights
One of the most encouraging Q1 2026 trends is that the decline in donor count appears to be moderating. A year ago, donor count was down approximately 2.3%; in the current report, the decline has narrowed to just 0.8%, while total dollars continues to grow at a healthy 4.3%. The sector hasn’t returned to donor growth, but this may indicate that the steep donor losses of recent years are starting to level off. Look at your own numbers: are you seeing a similar plateau, and what’s your plan for turning stabilization into sustained growth through stronger acquisition and retention strategies?
The recovery in giving among the groups we define as “Midsize” and “Major” donors is another encouraging trend. It may reflect, at least in part, the sector’s growing investment in mid-level donor programs with more personalization, stewardship, and relationship-building. We can’t attribute the improvement solely to these efforts, but the results are consistent with that growing strategic focus. Where does your own mid-level threshold actually sit, and does your stewardship investment reflect it?
Despite the encouraging trends above, new donor acquisition remains the sector’s biggest challenge, and much of what we said about this in the Q4 report still holds true. One shift worth considering: focus on converting newly acquired donors into monthly sustainers, either through the initial acquisition offer or through immediate post-acquisition stewardship. Building recurring giving into the relationship from the outset can meaningfully improve long-term retention and donor lifetime value. As you head into the busiest fundraising stretch of the year, what’s your acquisition and conversion strategy, and where is it falling short?
The second half of the year could prove more challenging than Q1. Some of the exceptionally strong year-end giving in late 2025 may have reflected donors accelerating gifts ahead of anticipated tax law changes, meaning some of that giving was pulled forward rather than representing new philanthropic dollars. Regardless of the cause, it’s worth reinforcing messages around impact, need, and the importance of sustained support now, before you’re relying on them under pressure. What would a softer second half mean for your budget, and what are you doing now to prepare?
Government funding cuts to your subsector, local political or economic conditions, and giving that flows through third-party or corporate platforms without being soft-credited to an individual donor can all move your numbers without showing up here. Before drawing conclusions for your own organization, it’s worth asking what’s happening locally that this report can’t see.