What 2026 Is Already Asking of Major Gift Fundraisers

You’re Probably Wondering What 2026 Is Going to Ask of You

You may be feeling a little unsettled.

Not panicked. Just aware.

You can sense that something is changing in major gifts:

The conversations feel different. The expectations feel higher.

You may also be wondering how to prepare for what’s ahead without adding more pressure to an already full plate.

This week, we’re talking about what 2026 is already asking of fundraisers like you.

Not predictions. Not fear-based messaging.

Just clear, grounded observations from the work we’re doing every day alongside nonprofit leaders and major gift officers.

There are three shifts showing up right now in major gifts work.

When you understand them, your path forward becomes clearer AND far less stressful.

Shift 1: Your donors are thinking about taxes earlier than you might expect

Many fundraisers assume this is a conversation for later in the year, but many donors are not waiting.

New charitable deduction rules took effect on January 1.

High-net-worth donors have noticed, and many are already making decisions about how and when they want to give in 2026.

Some are considering larger bundled gifts that cover more than one year.

Some are accelerating their timelines.

Some are exploring new giving structures that better align with their goals.

What matters most is this: Donors you thought you had more time with may be ready to talk now.

Not because they’re being rushed, but because they’re being thoughtful.

This is your invitation to be prepared:

Prepared with a clear case for support.

Prepared to talk about impact in simple, confident language.

Prepared to listen carefully and guide the conversation with care.

You don’t need to push: you just need to show up.

You’re likely working with fewer donors who carry more of the load

This shift can feel uncomfortable to name, but it matters.

More of your revenue is coming from fewer people.

That reality is already here, and it means your role is changing.

Success is no longer defined by how many names are on your list. It’s defined by how well you know your most important donors.

You may be carrying too many prospects.

You may be trying to be responsive to everyone.

You may be exhausting yourself in the process.

This is your permission to focus.

To spend more time with your top 20 to 30 prospects.

To deepen those relationships.

To be more intentional with how you use your time.

While you may think that this kind of focus will limit your impact, on the contrary, it strengthens it. 

Stewardship is becoming one of your greatest strengths

Your donors have choices.

They can support many organizations, and they can give in many ways.

So the question becomes simple: why do they stay connected to you?

It’s because of how you make them feel!

Because they feel known.

Because they feel appreciated.

Because they feel like true partners in the work.

If your stewardship still relies mostly on letters and reports, you may be missing opportunities for deeper connection.

The fundraisers seeing strong results right now are doing something very human.

They’re checking in. They’re listening. And they’re showing donors the difference they’re making in ways that matter to the supporter.

Stewardship isn’t extra work.

It’s relationship work.

And relationships matter more than ever.

Bottom Line

2026 is not asking you to work harder. It’s asking you to work differently.

Your donors are planning earlier.

Your time matters more.

Your relationships carry greater weight.

When you focus on the right donors, show up with clarity and confidence, and steward with care and consistency, it is then that you give yourself a real chance to meet your goals without burning out.

Want to Go Deeper? Join Us for a Free Webinar!

We’re hosting a free training on all of this, plus a whole lot more.

Wednesday, February 5, 2026
1:00 – 2:00 PM Eastern

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• How to talk to tax-motivated donors
• Our framework for focusing on your highest-potential prospects
• Stewardship practices that turn one-time donors into lifelong partners
• Real examples from organizations raising transformational gifts right now
• Plus plenty of time for your questions.

We’re coaching clients on these exact strategies every single day. And we’d love to share what’s working with you.

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