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 nowHow automation and AI can support real relationships, not replace themWhat funders can do differently to build long-term nonprofit resilience3 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.  Budget under $1M? Join Elevate and get proven step-by-step playbooks + coaching support to build each of the core elements of your nonprofit's operating system - strategic clarity, a fundraising engine, a high-performance team, and an active and engaged board!   Connect with me!LinkedInInstagramYouTube