What you’ll learn…

1. AI is Now Digital Infrastructure, Not a Novelty

The conversation has shifted from if to how to use AI responsibly. The majority of organizations are rapidly moving to establish formal governance for AI tools.

• Statistic: Nearly nine out of ten nonprofits (88%) are either already using an AI governance framework (48%) or are actively developing one (40%) in 2025.

2. Donor Journeys Dominate Over Personas

The best organizations are moving away from static profiles and embracing dynamic, human-centered experiences to build long-term loyalty.

• Statistic: Donor journey mapping is now the central framework for strategy, with an adoption rate of 71% in 2025. In contrast, fewer than 10% of organizations still rely solely on personas.

3. Collaboration is the New Digital Culture

Cross-functional teams are directly linked to stronger performance, indicating that breaking down departmental silos is no longer optional—it’s mission-critical.

• Statistic: Organizations that operate with cross-functional teams report a 25% higher staff retention (tenure) and 25% stronger campaign results compared to their siloed peers. The adoption of these integrated departments has risen to 37% in 2025.

4. Digital Staff Retention is Stabilizing

Nonprofits are finding success in retaining digital talent by prioritizing compensation and flexibility. The new challenge is recruitment, not retention.

• Statistic: 63% of nonprofits now report their dedicated digital staff stay longer than 18 months, with one in five (21%) reporting tenure longer than three years. Salary is cited as the number one driver of retention.

5. Email Remains the Unchallenged Top Channel

Despite the rise of video and social media, the oldest digital channel remains the backbone of fundraising due to its measurability and direct ownership.

Statistic: Email continues to be named the most effective digital channel by respondents. Furthermore, 60% of organizations report no email deliverability issues in 2025, a significant improvement from 2024.