If you’re leading a nonprofit right now, you already know the rhythm: apply, report, wait, repeat. You’ve done the work. You’ve written the grants. And you’ve kept going even when the funding didn’t.
Philanthropy, in many ways, has carried the sector through seasons of growth and hardship. And for that, we hold deep respect. But relying solely on grant cycles in 2025 is like building a house on sand. The foundation needs to shift.
There is more funding available than most organizations realize — not always through new grants, but through existing relationships, overlooked opportunities, and untold stories. One of those places is Donor-Advised Funds.
According to the 2024 Donor-Advised Fund Report by the National Philanthropic Trust, charitable assets held in donor-advised funds (DAFs) totaled $251.52 billion at the end of 2023.
That same year, $54.77 billion was granted from DAFs to nonprofits, making it one of the highest annual totals on record — even with a drop in new contributions.
While DAF contributions and grants shifted with economic trends, the payout rate remained steady at nearly 24%. This consistency shows that many donors are still giving — especially when they feel connected to the mission
This is the time to step back and reflect. Not on what’s missing — but on what’s already present. What connections haven’t been nurtured? What stories haven’t been told? What relationships could deepen if you slowed down long enough to ask different questions?
We often find that the clarity nonprofits are looking for doesn’t come from bigger goals — it comes from more grounded ones. The moment you shift from “How do we raise money?” to “Who have we already moved?” everything starts to change. It’s not just about funding. It’s about positioning. And that positioning must come from the inside out — your values, your voice, your community.
At Lovett and Sons, we help nonprofits realign with what’s already working and build the tools to strengthen it. That includes creating a message donors can trust, a structure that doesn’t rely on a single revenue stream, and a storytelling strategy that feels like you — not like a grant proposal in disguise.
If you’re ready to shift the way you fundraise — not just tactically but holistically — we’re prepared to walk with you. This moment doesn’t need more hustle. It requires more honesty. And your story deserves to be told with intention.
🧡 Let’s build it together.
Lovett and Sons 