Jumping right in to our final 4 trends to watch for next year:
(PS – Did you miss our first 3 trends in Part 1? Find it on the blog, here.)
4. Climate and Sustainability Commitments 🌍
What’s Happening:
The impact of climate change is influencing donor priorities and grantmaking. Even organizations not directly focused on environmental issues are being asked to incorporate sustainability into their practices. Environmental sustainability is not exclusively a separate issue area for nonprofit action, it is becoming integrated in all organization’s work.
Why It Matters:
We’re all operating on the same earth here. Issues are interconnected; hunger, poverty, homelessness and other causes are exacerbated by sustainability challenges. And donors, especially younger ones, expect nonprofits to align with their values, including environmental responsibility.
What To Do:
Try an environmental impact audit. Evaluate your organization’s current environmental impact by assessing energy usage, waste management, and procurement practices. Consider practices like going paperless, working with eco-friendly vendors, or using renewable energy solutions in your operations.
5. Bigger Investments in Collaborations and Partnerships 🤝
What’s Happening:
A single organization is unlikely to completely solve a social problem on its own. We operate in an ecosystem with many stakeholders. Funders and nonprofits are thinking more about how to attack complex problems through collaboration. More grants in 2025 will prioritize coalitions, networks, and partnerships over standalone projects.
Why It Matters:
Collaboration could mean you move the needle faster on important issues like food insecurity, education, and more. That impact is what it’s all about!
What To Do:
Consider the strengths and challenges of your organization, and reach out into your community to find partners that bring complementary skills and resources. Looking for a guide on how to form effective partnerships? I’ve got a video for that. 🙂
6. Fostering True Connection and Inspire Giving and Support 👥
What’s Happening:
We’re facing an epidemic of loneliness. People are feeling disconnected and missing the benefits of genuine relationships and connection. Nonprofits can play an important role in addressing this, regardless of mission or focus area.
Why It Matters:
When people feel disconnected, they trust institutions – like nonprofits – less. The civic health of any community depends on that trust. Without that trust, people volunteer less, donate less, and are more prone to negative health issues. Organizations who foster community are more successful at fundraising, because people give when they feel like they belong.
What To Do:
Consider ways to build authentic community and connection through your organization. How can you invite people to gather together to learn more about your cause and make new friends? How can you tweak your messaging to help people feel welcome and like they are a critical part of their mission?
7. Youth-Led Activism and Giving 🌱
What’s Happening:
Gen Z are entering an era where they have significant influence as donors, volunteers, and advocates. And they are operating differently from other generations of givers, prioritizing transparency and authenticity, values-alignment, and digital participation.
Why It Matters:
This generation will soon become your biggest portion of volunteers and donors. Understanding their preferences and attitudes towards nonprofits and social impact will be the difference between earning their support or disengaging them.
What To Do:
Assess how you’re involving youth in your social impact work. A few ideas: Form a youth advisory board to gather input and elevate youth voices. Examine how you might provide youth with volunteer opportunities. Make sure you’re showcasing your organization’s authentic voice on social media, where the majority of Gen Z’ers are engaging most.
What trends are you seeing in your own work?
Let’s keep the conversation going!
Where ever you are, I hope you have a wonderful New Year! 🎉🎉🎉
See you in 2025!
