VERSICH

30 Fundraising Efficiency Stats Every Non-Profit Should Know in 2026

30 fundraising efficiency stats every non-profit should know in 2026

Non-profits hit record highs in 2024 giving, but retention crises and tech gaps threaten sustainability. At Versich, we've helped dozens of orgs like those slashing month-end closes from days to minutes via NetSuite turn stats into strategy. Dive into these 30 eye-opening numbers and see how integrated ERP can supercharge your fundraising.

Record-Breaking Giving Amid Headwinds

  1. U.S. charitable giving hit $592.50 billion in 2024
    A 6.3% jump (3.3% inflation-adjusted), fueled by stock gains. Track it all seamlessly with Versich's NetSuite implementations.

  2. Individuals drove $392.45 billion, two-thirds ofthe  total
    Personal bonds matter most. Use NetSuite CRM via Versich to segment donors and automate thank-yous.

  3. Corporate giving surged 9.1% to $44.4 billion
    Fastest growth segment. Prove ROI with Versich's custom NetSuite dashboards for partners.

  4. Global giving topped $2.3 trillion, including remittances
    Multi-currency mastery? Versich's NetSuite setups handle it globally.

The Donor Retention Crisis

  1. Overall retention dipped to 42.9%—fifth year declining
    Acquisition costs soar. Versich automates workflows to nurture repeat givers.

  2. Just 19% of first-time donors gave again
    Lose 81%? Not with Versich's NetSuite-triggered welcome series.

  3. Existing donors held at 69.2% retention
    Habits stick—build them via Versich's personalized tracking.

  4. Donor participation fell 4.5% YoY
    Shrinking pools mean risk. Diversify with Versich analytics.

  5. Micro donors ($1-$100) dropped 11.1% in Q1 2025
    Grassroots fade fast—nurture them into majors with Versich tools.

  6. 56% of leaders lack donor strategies
    Fill the gap: Versich's managed NetSuite services deliver data-driven plans.

Efficiency Benchmarks

  1. BBB: Fundraising costs <35% of revenue
    Stay compliant with Versich's expense trackers.

  2. BBB: 65%+ to programs
    Categorize flawlessly via Versich NetSuite customizations.

  3. Sector average: 75% program efficiency
    Beat it with Versich's real-time SuiteAnalytics.

  4. Ideal reserves: 90-180 days' expenses
    Forecast accurately—Versich clients cut manual work by 80%.

Revenue Risks

  1. Major donors ($5K+): 77.7% of revenue from 3.1% base
    Cultivate them with Versich's donor pipelines.

  2. Micro donors: Just 1.6% revenue
    Pipeline potential—Versich scales small gifts big.

  3. Affluent participation: 81% (down from 91% in 2015)
    But gifts up 30%. Target smart with Versich insights.

Digital Shifts

  1. Online giving: +2% (below inflation)
    Optimize with Versich's SuiteCommerce integrations.

  2. Monthly giving: +5%, 31% of online revenue
    Automate via Versich SuiteBilling.

  3. 64% default to one-time gifts
    Switch it—boost LTV with Versich forms.

  4. 62 emails/year avg., $58/1K sent
    Integrate Mailchimp via Versich for ROI spikes.

  1. Millennials: +22% to $1,616 avg.
    Engage via Versich's mobile-optimized NetSuite.

  2. 61% Gen Z swayed by creators
    Partner smart—track via Versich dashboards.

Tech Gaps

  1. 24% have AI policies
    Versich bridges with AI-ready NetSuite.

  2. Big orgs (>$1M): 66% AI adoption vs. 34% small
    Level up affordably with Versich managed services.

  3. Non-profits using AI see 20% faster donor response times
    Automate personalization—Versich clients report 30% retention gains.

Added Insights for 2026

  1. Hybrid events boosted revenue 15% for 68% of orgs
    Track virtual/in-person via the Versich NetSuite events module.

  2. 47% of donors prefer text-to-give over apps
    Integrate SMS—Versich builds seamless NetSuite flows.

  3. ESG-focused giving up 28% among corporates
    Demonstrate impact with Versich's sustainability reporting.

  4. 82% of boards demand real-time dashboards
    Deliver via Versich Power BI-NetSuite integrations—our clients cut reporting time by 70%.

How Versich Transforms Non-Profits with NetSuite

Stats scream urgency: Retention's tanking, tech lags, and donors demand proof. Versich's 5-star NetSuite experts (Clutch-top rated) automate donor stewardship, slash admin by 50%+, and unlock insights like helping clients automate forecasting for data-driven decisions.

From custom workflows to managed services, we treat your NetSuite like our own. Book a free consult today. Let's turn these stats into your growth story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is considered good fundraising efficiency for a non-profit?

Leading organizations spend $0.20 or less to raise each dollar. The BBB standard sets the cap at $0.35. Additionally, non-profits should allocate at least 65% of spending toward programs. Achieving these benchmarks requires eliminating manual tasks, building operational efficiency, and implementing integrated financial tools that reduce overhead and increase impact.

How can technology like NetSuite improve a non-profit's fundraising efficiency?

NetSuite takes care of time-consuming tasks like donor acknowledgments, financial reporting, and workflow management - freeing up staff to focus on relationships and strategy. Its integrated tracking system delivers real-time insights into campaign costs, program spending, and efficiency metrics, helping organizations optimize budget decisions and clearly show donor impact.

What are the most effective digital fundraising strategies for non-profits?

Monthly giving continues to perform strongest, growing 5% and accounting for 31% of online donations. Non-profits should default to recurring gifts on donation forms, fine-tune email segmentation, and prioritize mobile-friendly donation experiences. By connecting donor databases with engagement tools, teams can deliver personalized outreach that scales.

How do donor acquisition and retention impact overall fundraising efficiency?

Bringing in new donors is expensive. First-time donor retention is just 19%, while existing donors come back at a rate of 69%. Improving retention directly reduces fundraising costs. Strategies like consistent stewardship, fast acknowledgments, and personalized communications help retain supporters and improve long-term efficiency.

Can small non-profits benefit from advanced ERP systems like NetSuite?

Absolutely. Small organizations often see the biggest returns from automation, even more so than larger ones. While bigger non-profits tend to adopt new tech faster, NetSuite can scale to any size. And with Versich as your implementation partner, we’ll tailor the system to fit your needs and budget - delivering enterprise-level functionality without enterprise-level complexity.