Newsletter - September 2025

The fall fundraising sprint waits for no one!

I hope September is off to a good start, and you’re finding ways to stay energized as you roll up your sleeves.

This month, we dive into optimism (!), detail some coming tax changes to keep in mind as you engage with donors, share a great Director of Development opportunity, and include a link to a template that can help you stay organized in your year-end planning.

Stay in touch and let me know what’s making you smile these days!

Nadine Gabai-Botero, MA, CFRE
President

New Blog Post: Optimism  

I recently wrote about the hidden benefits of economic uncertainty and looked at how our current environment can help you deepen trust with your donors. Click here to read about how real transparency and openness can now help you build connections in the short and long term.

 

Fundraising News

As we head into the year-end giving season, keep in mind that starting in 2026, new federal legislation passed in July will reshape the charitable deduction landscape. Non-itemizers will gain a universal deduction ($1,000 single/$2,000 joint filers), while itemizers will face new limits: a 0.5% floor of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) before deductions apply, as well as a cap on the benefit for top-bracket taxpayers.

What does this mean for fundraisers?

It means your 2025 year-end communications should emphasize the value of giving this year under the more favorable current rules—especially for major donors, those considering donor-advised funds, or anyone planning to “bunch” contributions. Positioning 2025 as a strategic window may inspire donors to accelerate or increase their commitments before the new limits take effect.

For more on the impact of coming changes, this article includes a good summary and links to further information.

Job Opportunity

The MacArthur Justice Center, a former Focus client, is hiring its first Director of Development. If you or someone in your network might be a fit, we encourage you to apply! To review the job description and submit your information, click here.

End-of-Year Planning Template

Get a jump on the year-end with our Planning Template. This step-by-step, three-month guide walks you through everything you need to prepare for Giving Tuesday and your year-end campaigns—helping you maximize results while avoiding last-minute stress.

This resource grew out of a presentation I recently gave for Spur Local. You’ll find a short overview to start, but the real value is in the Q&A—where attendees asked great questions and I shared insights and strategies.

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