Know Them or Lose Them: How More Agency Can Slow the Exodus of Small Donors

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Know Them or Lose Them: How More Agency Can Slow the Exodus of Small Donors

It’s true that giving alumni and donors more agency and making the effort to ensure they feel known to us means a lot more work on our part.

Kristin Hanson

Jul 16, 2026

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Despite many higher ed institutions trumpeting record-breaking fundraising numbers each year, it’s well established that those dollars are coming from a shrinking number of donors. The latest CASE data showed that, although the average gift given per alum rose in fiscal year 2025, the overall number of donors dropped. The decline was particularly stark …

Speaking Engagement

Paid episode

Know Them or Lose Them: How More Agency Can Slow the Exodus of Small Donors

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