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BIANCA BELLO DARREN PORT ERIKA FLORESKA SEAN LITTMAN

STRATEGY DIRECTOR CEO PRESIDENT FOUNDER
POWERED BY PROFESSIONALS
HELPGOOD LONG ISLAND CHILDREN’S MUSEUM GIVESUITE

Many organizations are approaching social media with a 2010 strategy: cross-post the As we transition from 2024 into 2025, nonprofits navigate an increasingly complex landscape, where organizing The nonprofit sector must apply lessons we learned during the pandemic and embrace flexibility during I think one of the biggest challenges nonprofits are going to face is adaption
same static content across Facebook, Instagram, and X, and count on organic reach to successful fundraising events requires careful consideration of key challenges and risks. Nonprofits will need to try 2025. Nonprofits will need to build on their ability to pivot quickly as circumstances change, particularly and understanding your demographic and the changing demographics within
carry your message to your audiences. However, today users flock to these platforms and stay ahead by exploring emerging trends and innovative approaches that can help redefine their event planning with a new incoming administration and as new government policies and priorities emerge. your organization and learn how to market to them. Understanding this
for very different reasons. The top-performing content types are different, the pace of and fundraising strategies. From rising costs and shifting donor preferences to external global factors, here are generation and how to speak and connect with them is crucial to being able
the conversions are different, and the environment of the community is very different issues we see facing nonprofit events in 2025: Engaging funders with compelling impact storytelling will become increasingly important to secure to successfully gain them as a donor, partner, volunteer, and anything else
on each platform. • Financial Constraints and Rising Costs: Nonprofits face escalating costs for venues, catering, and technology, funding. Highlighting the tangible benefits of programs and demonstrating value to donors will be even connected to your organization.
more vital. I think sometimes those of us who work for nonprofits assume the public understands what
which can erode profit margins. Budget constraints make it challenging to deliver high-impact events.
We need to lift our communities into action, which means building true community on we do and understands how important it is, but that is not necessarily the case. The positive impact our Most nonprofits don’t like to, or don’t have the capacity to put in the work to
social. We have an opportunity to get personal and build closer connections with our • Declining Engagement and Attendance: Post-pandemic lifestyle changes have shifted how people engage, with organizations have on our communities needs to be explained – and one of the best ways to do that is be able to grow with the changes around them. This is why surveying your
supporters. This could look like less branded content and more scrappy videos that feel many favoring virtual or hybrid options and fewer in-person commitments. This “engagement gap” threatens through telling the stories of the lives we touch. audience is key to being able to understand their wants and needs and then
like a FaceTime with a friend or creating content that asks for supporter participation attendance and participation. Nonprofits need to consider personalized invitations and event content to align reviewing the data to market to them accordingly.
and taking the time to respond to the comments. Nonprofits should consider ways to with donors’ preferences and they need to create tailored experiences which Include interactive components, Climate change presents risks to nonprofits, influencing everything from operational costs to program
have more one-on-one communication through DMs, more interactions in the comments, such as Q&A with beneficiaries or live impact demonstrations, to foster deeper connections. delivery. Extreme or unpredictable weather can disrupt operations, damage facilities, and increase In addition, nonprofits need to make sure they have proper strategies in
and take full advantage of engaging formats like quizzes, polls, and Q&As. insurance costs, and can also impact attendance and visitor engagement, of particular importance place for all facets of their organization. Thinking that AI is going to be
• Changing Donor Demographics: A new generation of donors is emerging, often driven by transparency, for organizations reliant on in-person participation like museums and community centers. The time your organization’s savior and that you don’t have to invest in your long-
Nonprofits need to also understand that many audiences do not take that final step measurable impact, and authentic connections. Traditional approaches may no longer resonate with this for nonprofits to plan for climate change impacts is now. Mitigation strategies like investing in energy- term growth and sustainability with your outbound and inbound marketing
to give on social platforms: that’s what email is for. In 2025, nonprofits should focus audience. efficient infrastructure, creating contingency plans for weather-related disruptions, and exploring virtual efforts is not a viable solution. AI is a vehicle, but it needs to be properly and
their efforts on the social platforms that garner the highest engagement with their • Logistical and Operational Complexities: Event planning involves many moving parts, and issues such programming options to maintain engagement during periods when in-person attendance may decline effectively deployed for it to have any meaningful impact.
supporters and craft a strategy that funnels these supporters to their email list where as unreliable vendors, technical failures, or poor coordination can disrupt the experience and harm the can help nonprofits adapt.
they will be more likely to convert later on. organization’s reputation. Succession planning is another pressing issue facing nonprofit organizations, as a wave of retiring Finally, nonprofits need to focus on growing communities both offline and
online, focus on micro donations, and focus on retention and appreciation.
• External Factors: Political and Economic Instability: Political polarization, global crises, and economic leaders creates risks and potential organizational instability. Many organizations are already grappling When you keep your donors and networks top of mind, through meaningful
uncertainty can impact donor confidence and attendance. Attendees may feel hesitant to commit resources with leadership transitions and the absence of a clear plan for cultivating future leaders. Nonprofits communication regarding your impact, your achievements, and their
during volatile times. should prioritize formal succession planning, invest in leadership development programs for mid-level importance to your mission and success, they will keep you top of mind.
staff, and create mentorship opportunities so that institutional knowledge is not lost as staff transitions
• Competition and Donor Fatigue: With an oversaturation of fundraising events, nonprofits face stiff competition occur. Boards should actively support these efforts, ensuring that leadership transitions are managed
for attention and resources. Donor fatigue can result in lower participation and reduced giving. Nonprofits should with minimal disruption to operations and staff morale.
differentiate their events by offering unique themes, engaging activities, and memorable experiences. They
could also consider collaborating with other nonprofits to combine resources and reach a broader audience. Whether we feel prepared for it or not, AI is here to stay. Nonprofits need to maintain a curiosity about
how AI can help us further our missions and have a willingness to learn, while balancing that with an
• Reputational Risks and Transparency: Mismanagement, poorly executed events, or a lack of transparency can awareness of the challenges it can pose. These technologies are advancing at an extremely fast rate and
damage donor trust and harm the nonprofit’s reputation. there are many ways nonprofits can harness its power to streamline some tasks, freeing staff to do the

By addressing these challenges and risks proactively, nonprofits can create events that not only meet financial goals things that AI will never be able to do – like build relationships and provide life changing services to the
but also strengthen relationships with supporters, enhance their reputation, and amplify their impact. Adopting community.
flexible, donor-centric, and innovative strategies will be key to thriving in 2025 and beyond.