2026 Predictions: What Nonprofit Leaders Must Know to Thrive

What should you be focusing on this year to keep your nonprofit strong, strategic, and sustainable? In this special episode, I asked a group of brilliant nonprofit professionals and consultants to share their predictions for 2026—and what they believe mission-driven organizations need to do now to prepare. From leveraging AI to treating retention as a growth strategy, these insights are sharp, actionable, and forward-thinking. I’ve pulled together their responses in this episode to help you zoom out and think big—without losing focus on what actually works. 

2026 Predictions at a Glance:

• Tess Conrad (Full Potential Fundraising)
• Fundraising: Mid-sized nonprofits are shifting to prioritize Planned Giving, focusing on donors’ assets, not just cash.
• Laurie Ehrlich (Elevate Marketing Strategy)
• Communication, Marketing, Fundraising: Nonprofits will thrive by using AI as a collaborative tool and embracing clarity, intentionality, and relational engagement.
• Naomi Hattaway (8th & Home | Leaving Well)
• Leadership, Organizational Resilience: Foundations will step up with capacity-building and cohort learning, not just checks.
• Daniel Francavilla (The Good Growth Company)
• Communication, Marketing: Donor retention will become a growth strategy; trust and brand clarity will be key to long-term success.
• Rachel Bearbower (Nonprofit Automation Agency)
• Automation/Technology: Automation will become essential infrastructure for sustainability and consistency.
• Jess Campbell (Out in the Boons)
• Marketing: Nonprofits that don’t prioritize email list growth will struggle to hit their fundraising goals.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why planned giving is no longer just for large organizations—and how to get started now
• How automation and AI can support real relationships, not replace them
• What funders can do differently to build long-term nonprofit resilience

3 Key Takeaways:

• Mid-sized charities are stepping up: 2026 marks a turning point in planned giving adoption beyond just the big players.
• Retention > acquisition: Smart content, segmentation, and relationship-building will beat spray-and-pray fundraising strategies.
• Infrastructure matters: Systems, automation, and cohort-based support are critical for scale, sustainability, and avoiding burnout.

Want to work together?

Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Mastermind, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations with $1M+ budgets that are ready to design for impact sustained at scale.

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