The Right Talent, The Right Impact: Key Takeaways from the 2025 Philanthropy Pulse Report

In the world of nonprofit fundraising, the right team can make all the difference. The recently released 2025 Philanthropy Pulse Report from CCS Fundraising, a strategic fundraising consulting firm, sheds light on key trends that are shaping the fundraising landscape based on data from nearly 650 organizations located in 34 countries and across 46 U.S. states. For nonprofit leaders and executive teams, grasping these insights—and maximizing impact by strategically aligning talent with the right skills—has never been more important.

Fundraising Growth Starts with a High-Performing Team

A key takeaway from the 2025 report is that organizations that expanded their fundraising teams by 10 percent or more saw financial gains. In fact, seven out of 10 organizations that grew their teams reported increased revenue. This underscores the critical role of hiring skilled professionals who can drive meaningful growth.

Despite facing ongoing challenges in hiring, more than 75 percent of organizations prioritized investing in their fundraising staff over the past year. So, what are these organizations doing to ensure their teams are prepared to succeed? Offering professional development opportunities (44 percent), remote and hybrid work options (41 percent), and competitive compensation (25 percent) are just a few of the strategies used to cultivate a team of top-performing fundraisers.

The Evolving Skillset of Fundraising Professionals

The nonprofit sector is evolving, and so are the skills needed to succeed in fundraising. According to the report, organizations are prioritizing direct fundraising expertise in their hiring efforts. Here are some of the skills that are becoming increasingly essential:

• Prospect Research: With only 12 percent of fundraising staff fully knowledgeable in this critical area, organizations risk missing key funding opportunities. Strong prospect research helps identify, qualify, and cultivate potential donors, ensuring a strategic approach to fundraising and long-term sustainability.
• Major Gift Strategy: While 17 percent of staff are completely knowledgeable, the majority (83 percent) still have room to grow in mastering this high-impact fundraising area. A well-executed major gift strategy fuels mission-critical programs, deepens donor engagement, and maximizes revenue potential.
• Gift Planning/Planned Giving: With 63 percent of staff lacking strong knowledge in planned giving, nonprofits risk missing out on significant future funding. Strengthening expertise in gift planning empowers organizations to cultivate lasting donor legacies and secure transformational gifts that drive long-term impact.

Data Challenges

It’s important not to underestimate the power of donor data. According to the report, many nonprofits are struggling with inaccurate or incomplete data. In fact, 54 percent of the organizations surveyed cited messy data as a top challenge. Even with staff knowledgeable in CRM and database systems and data-driven decision-making, a significant portion of organizations still find it difficult to make full use of their data.

To address this challenge, nonprofit leaders must prioritize staff training in data analysis and ensure that their teams are equipped to interpret data effectively. Fundraising staff who understand how to navigate these complexities are key to boosting donor engagement.

The Staffing Challenge

Despite the importance of staffing, moderate declines in staff hiring have been reported across the sector.  Only 23 percent of organizations increased their staff in 2024, down from 33 percent in 2023. Limited salary budgets, challenges in finding qualified candidates, and high turnover rates have compounded staffing difficulties. However, organizations are strategically focusing their new hires on key areas, including front-line fundraising (19 percent), major gifts (16 percent), corporate and foundation giving (16 percent), annual appeals (11 percent), and marketing and communications (10 percent), ensuring that investments in talent align with their most pressing fundraising needs.

In today’s competitive nonprofit landscape, staffing is hardly a secondary consideration. It is key to unlocking long-term fundraising success. As the Philanthropy Pulse Report reveals, organizations that focus on expanding and investing in their fundraising teams are seeing tangible benefits. From improving data analysis to boosting donor retention, the right staff can amplify an organization’s impact—driving increased revenue, strengthening donor relationships, and fueling long-term growth.

At Freeman Philanthropic Services, we understand the importance of aligning your nonprofit with fundraising professionals who possess the skills and experience necessary to drive success. By placing talented individuals in key roles, we help ensure your organization’s growth and long-term sustainability. Is your organization ready to elevate its fundraising efforts? Let’s work together to build a team that delivers a lasting impact.