Oct 29, 2025
According to the Giving USA 2025 report, individual giving rose from last year. But three-quarters of dollars raised came from just 3% of donors. When giving is this top-heavy, should you keep investing in your annual fund program? In today’s episode, we explore why the annual fund remains essential for long-term donor relationships — with insights on donor retention, stewardship through storytelling, and direct mail strategies to re-engage lapsed donors and strengthen your donor pipeline.
Want to suggest a topic, guest, or nonprofit organization for an upcoming episode? Send an email with the subject "NPFX suggestion" to contact@ipmadvancement.com.
Additional Resources
Giving USA 2023: Key Insights behind
the Numbers
https://www.ipmadvancement.com/npfx/giving-usa-2023-key-insights-behind-the-numbers
Colton C. Strawser, PhD
has built his consulting career
working with leaders at community foundations, United Ways,
homeless shelters, senior service agencies, youth programs, arts
and culture organizations, and more. He has trained more than 1,000
organizations and generated over $25 million in government grants.
In addition to being a Certified Fund Raising Professional and
Certified Nonprofit Professional, he has also completed a
Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consulting through BoardSource and
is a Master Trainer through the Association of Fundraising
Professionals. Dr. Strawser completed his PhD in Nonprofit and
Philanthropic Leadership at The Nonprofit Institute at the
University of San Diego.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/coltonstrawser/
https://www.coltonstrawser.com/
Samantha Timlick,
partner & CEO of IPM Advancement, has
been with IPM since launch. She's worked with nonprofit clients on
donor renewal, appeal, stewardship, and acquisition programs
encompassing more than 250 million total recipients across all
fundraising channels — including highly segmented direct mail
microtargeting, personalized inbound and outbound telemarketing,
and integrated e-campaigns.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stimlick/
https://www.ipmadvancement.com/
Russ Phaneuf, a
co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education
development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern
Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As
IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead
fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program
analyst specializing in applied system dynamics.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/russphaneuf/
Rich Frazier has
worked in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. In his roles as
senior consultant with IPM Advancement and founder of VisionConnect LLC, Rich offers extensive
understanding and knowledge in capital campaigns, fund development,
strategic planning, and board of directors development.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richfrazier/
https://www.visionconnectllc.com/