Much Has Been Given. There's So Much More to Give.

Birthdays have a way of making us pause.

Mine certainly did this year.

As another year came and went, I found myself reflecting less on accomplishments and more on gratitude. I felt incredibly fortunate—not because life has been perfect, but because I realized just how deeply loved and supported I am.

I thought about my husband and son. My family. Friends who have celebrated victories, encouraged me through difficult seasons, and reminded me who I am when I needed it most. I thought about the people who believed in me enough to trust me with their organizations, their missions, and their dreams.

Perhaps more than anything, I realized how fortunate I am to wake up every day doing work that feels meaningful.

Helping nonprofits raise more money isn't just what I do. It's become part of who I am.

Every conversation, every fundraising plan, every campaign strategy, every board workshop has one purpose: helping organizations fulfill missions that make our communities stronger. Whether it's feeding families, supporting the arts, improving education, advancing healthcare, or serving those in need, I have the privilege of helping people who spend their lives helping others.

As I reflected, one verse kept coming back to me:

"To whom much is given, much is required." — Luke 12:48

I've always loved that reminder.

Not because it asks us to carry a heavier burden, but because it challenges us to steward what we've been given well. Our experiences, relationships, opportunities, and talents aren't simply ours to keep. They're meant to be shared in ways that make a difference.

That mindset feels especially relevant as I look at the latest Giving USA report.

For the first time in history, charitable giving in the United States surpassed $600 billion, reaching an incredible $617.2 billion in 2025. Even with economic uncertainty, Americans continued to demonstrate remarkable generosity, proving once again that people want to invest in causes they believe in. Giving by individuals totaled nearly $394 billion, meaning almost two-thirds of all charitable giving still comes from individual donors. While foundations and corporate partners remain incredibly important, the greatest opportunity for most nonprofits continues to be building meaningful relationships with individuals.

The report also highlighted something every nonprofit should be paying attention to: bequest giving increased nearly 20% in a single year. That's significant.

As the Great Wealth Transfer accelerates over the coming decades, trillions of dollars will pass from one generation to the next. A meaningful portion of those assets has the potential to support charitable organizations—but only if nonprofits begin having those conversations today. Legacy giving isn't reserved for the largest universities or hospital systems. Organizations of every size should be thinking about how they invite supporters to leave a lasting impact.

For nonprofit leaders preparing budgets and fundraising plans for the next fiscal year, these numbers offer both encouragement and direction.

Yes, major gifts from wealthy philanthropists will continue to make headlines, and transformational giving is becoming increasingly visible. But the data reminds us that everyday generosity still drives philanthropy in America. Individual donors remain the heartbeat of fundraising, and organizations that invest in building authentic relationships with those donors will be positioned for long-term success.

Fundraising has never been about chasing dollars.

It's about earning trust.

It's about helping people live out their own generosity.

It's about creating opportunities for others to invest in something bigger than themselves.

As I begin another year of life, I don't find myself thinking about what I hope to achieve nearly as much as I think about the organizations I hope to serve. If I've been given the opportunity to do this work, then I want to help even more nonprofits become confident fundraisers, stronger organizations, and better stewards of the generosity that already exists.

There has never been more generosity in America than there is today.

The opportunity is here.

Our job is to be ready for it.