3 Ways to Present Giving USA and Fire Up Your Board

You may be thinking, ‘How do I bring the latest Giving USA data to life for my board members?’

So here you are – in the board meeting. You’ve got the Giving USA report in hand. Your chart are ready and all the data is set up.

You launch into your presentation about billions of dollars and percentage changes. And then you see it… that glazed-over look. Uh oh – overload!

Sound familiar?

Here’s the issue: your board doesn’t need another data dump. They need to know what this information means for them, for your organization, and for the transformational gifts they can help secure.

How about guiding this conversation in a new direction that sparks curiosity, builds connection, and inspires action?

1. Make it about Real Connections, Not Statistics

When you present the latest Giving USA findings, start with a donor story. Share what’s possible. Then let the data prove your point, not make it.

Here’s an example:

Earlier this year, an alum from the class of ’98, someone who hadn’t given since their senior year, made a $100,000 unrestricted gift.

There were no naming rights, no conditions, just a wonderful expression of belief and confidence in the organization.

“I see where the university is headed,” the alum said. “You’re building something I want to be part of.”

That conversation took place in early 2024. And there are many more stories like this unfolding every day.

According to Giving USA 2025, giving to education jumped 13.2% last year, reaching an all-time high of $88.3 billion.

But the real takeaway?

Donors aren’t just responding to glossy campaigns or old loyalties. Instead, they’re responding to true vision of a better world. How are you articulating your organization’s big vision for the future?   

It’s important to remember that donors WILL give this year, but – this is key – they want a clear sense of the impact they can make with a major gift.  

They want to support organizations that are clear about what they stand for – and that are bold about where they’re going. (Here’s that vision thing again!)

Here’s the question to discuss: “How can we continue to be bold in this environment?”

Remember: when sharing this kind of data with your board, always start with the story. Not with the spreadsheet.

2. Understand What Your Board Members Are Thinking

You’ll find that Giving USA data can be a powerful tool, especially when you use it to answer the questions already on your board members’ minds.

Remember, fundraising may feel familiar to you, but for many board members, this is new territory.

Many trustees don’t really understand what it takes for successful fundraising, so this is a wonderful opportunity for you to educate them about your own program.

Here are the questions they may be asking and how you can respond:

“Are people even giving anymore?”

Yes. Donors are giving more. In fact, donors gave more than they have in years.

In 2024, Americans gave $592.5 billion to charity: that’s a 6.3% increase over the previous year.

That includes the highest level of individual giving in current dollars: $392.45 billion.

Loyal, committed donors are showing up. Especially when they believe in where you’re headed.

“What about our supporters? Are they ready to keep supporting us?”

Many donors ARE! 

Some donors may have gone quiet over the past few years, but that doesn’t mean they have lost interest.

Giving USA tells us that many of the nonprofit sectors that saw dips in 2023 came roaring back in 2024.

So, board members need to know that your donors may be VERY ready to re-engage.

The question isn’t whether they’ll give. It’s how you and your team can inspire them with an opportunity they’ll want to support.

Board members may even ask, “should we be asking for bigger gifts right now?”

Absolutely, yes — but not for the sake of size.

The opportunity isn’t in pushing your donors harder.  Instead, it’s about inviting supporters to be part of something they can believe in.

Remember, in 2024, super large gifts made up just 3% of individual giving. This means that the vast majority of dollars came from donors who were moved by the mission and the work, not headlines.

Last year, the most financial growth came from nonprofit organizations that led with vision, shared that vision with heart, and made it easy for donors to say yes.

3. Turn the Giving USA Data into Real Donor Conversations

Rather than overwhelming your board with statistics from Giving USA, give them conversation starters:

Education giving rose 13.2%? Tell them: “Donors are investing in the future again. What story can we share about our impact on the next generation?”

Arts and culture rebounded nearly 10%. Frame it this way: “Our supporters are ready to dream again. What vision can we share that will truly speak to them?”

Overall, giving grew even after adjusting for inflation? Try this: “What special moment or experience from this year would convince someone that we’re the organization to believe in?”

Bottom Line

At the Gail Perry Group, we’re passionate about helping you turn those boardroom moments from glazed-over stares into genuine excitement about what’s possible.

We see it happen every day.

We’re honored to help our clients spark these kinds of conversations. And, we love to inspire transformational gifts.

Our team brings decades of experience guiding successful campaigns and major gift initiatives.

Our customized approach? A blend of sound strategy, very deep sector expertise, and the kind of positive energy that rallies teams, boards, and donors around bold visions.

Here’s to helping you and your board lead conversations that inspire generosity.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please send us an email at support@gailperry.com.