State of Good by Pure Charity

Mike Rusch, Pure Charity
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Non-Profit

The Pure Charity State of Good Podcast is your weekly intelligence brief for nonprofit leaders and fundraisers. Each episode cuts through the noise to deliver what actually matters: how donors are thinking about giving right now, what's shifting in the sector, and the psychology behind generosity. Data-driven insights you can use immediately, in about 10 minutes, once a week.

  1. 4d ago

    State of Good for July 20, 2026

    Episode Title: "The Gap Between How It's Always Been Done and What the Evidence Shows" Summary: - A New Jersey foundation's experiment with outcome-based grantmaking is producing early results worth watching — and worth preparing for New analysis from the Fundraising Effectiveness Project reveals mid-level donors as a significantly under-cultivated segment in most donor filesBehavioral research shows familiar fundraising tactics may be backfiring with Gen Z donorsThe IRS proposes regulations clarifying 501(c)(3) requirements for educational institutions, with broader implications for charitable purpose complianceUtah's statewide giving campaign demonstrates the power of collaborative fundraisingSources & Links: - Chronicle of Philanthropy — "Philanthropy Isn't Broken—but How We Fund Might Be": https://www.philanthropy.com/opinion/philanthropy-isnt-broken-but-how-we-fund-might-be/ AFP Global — "The Overlooked Power of Mid-Level Donors" (Fundraising Effectiveness Project Q3 2025): https://afpglobal.org/overlooked-power-mid-level-donorsAFP Global — "Familiar Fundraising Tactics May Be Losing Ground with Gen Z Donors": https://afpglobal.org/news/familiar-fundraising-tactics-may-be-losing-ground-gen-z-donorsThe Nonprofit Times — "IRS Proposes Regulations Changing Education Institution 501(c)(3) Status": https://thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles/irs-proposes-regulations-changing-education-institution-501c3-status/Utah Nonprofits Association — "UTAHGIVES 2026 Report": https://www.utahnonprofits.org/2026/07/09/utahgives-2026-report/Approximate Timestamps: - 0:00 — Introduction and episode preview 0:30 — Outcome-based grantmaking experiment (Chronicle of Philanthropy)2:30 — The overlooked mid-level donor segment (AFP / Fundraising Effectiveness Project)4:15 — Gen Z donor behavior research (AFP Global)5:45 — IRS proposed regulations for education nonprofits (Nonprofit Times)6:45 — Bottom line and three action items7:45 — Good in Action: Utah's statewide giving campaign8:45 — Sign-off

    State of Good for July 20, 2026

  2. Jul 13

    State of Good for July 13, 2026

    Episode Title: Record Giving, Shrinking Base: What the Giving USA Numbers Really Tell Us Summary: - U.S. charitable giving hit a record $617.20 billion in 2025, but the donor base continues to shrink — raising questions about long-term resilience Mixed fundraising signals at midyear 2026 mean your strategy and relationships matter more than the economic environmentNonprofits taking a coordinated, organization-wide approach to AI are seeing significantly larger returns than those experimenting in silosGenerational giving differences demand segmented communication strategies, not one-size-fits-all appealsThe FoodCorps and Healy Foundation story shows how transparency during crisis can deepen funder partnershipsLinks: - Giving USA 2026 Key Findings: https://givingusa.org/product/2026-key-findings/ Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy — Giving USA Report: https://philanthropy.indianapolis.iu.edu/news-events/news/_news/2026/giving-usa-report-2026.htmlChronicle of Philanthropy — Giving USA Reports a Record High, But Here's What It Misses: https://www.philanthropy.com/solutions/giving-usa-reports-a-record-high-but-heres-what-it-misses/Chronicle of Philanthropy — How Economic and Political Shifts Are Shaping 2026 Fundraising: https://www.philanthropy.com/news/how-economic-and-political-shifts-are-shaping-2026-fundraising/Chronicle of Philanthropy — AI Alone Isn't Enough: Coordination Is What Really Matters: https://www.philanthropy.com/news/ai-alone-isnt-enough-coordination-is-what-really-matters/Blackbaud Institute Generational Giving Report: https://institute.blackbaud.com/the-generational-giving-report/Chronicle of Philanthropy — Nonprofit Leaders Have Some Blunt Advice for Their Funders: https://www.philanthropy.com/solutions/nonprofit-leaders-have-some-blunt-advice-for-their-funders/Chronicle of Philanthropy — FoodCorps Lost Its Federal Funding, A Foundation's Bold Bet Kept It Thriving: https://www.philanthropy.com/solutions/foodcorps-lost-its-federal-funding-a-foundations-bold-bet-kept-it-thriving/Approximate Timestamps: - 0:00 — Introduction and episode preview 0:30 — Giving USA record high and the shrinking donor base3:00 — Mixed fundraising signals and fall planning4:15 — AI adoption: coordination beats experimentation5:00 — Why donors give: generational differences in giving behavior6:15 — What changed: nonprofit leaders' blunt advice for funders7:00 — The bottom line and three actions for this week7:45 — Good in Action: FoodCorps and the Healy Foundation8:45 — Sign-off

    State of Good for July 13, 2026

  3. Jun 15

    State of Good for June 15, 2026

    Episode Title: Private Giving Rises While Federal Funding Falls: The Nonprofit Paradox of 2026 Summary: - Charitable giving grew 5% in 2025 even as federal funding freezes and grant terminations create budget crises for thousands of nonprofits 90% of nonprofit leaders report burnout concerns, threatening organizational capacity and donor relationships83% of Americans experience financial stress, with only 19% finding joy in giving — signaling a concentration of giving among fewer, wealthier donorsMillennials are reshaping philanthropic expectations, demanding impact transparency and two-way communication35% of financial advisors actively use charitable planning tools, presenting untapped partnership opportunities for nonprofitsSources Referenced: - Nonprofit Quarterly — "The Quiet Collapse: Why the Erasure of the Nonprofit Sector Threatens Us All": https://nonprofitquarterly.org/the-quiet-collapse-why-the-erasure-of-the-nonprofit-sector-threatens-us-all/ NonProfit PRO — "What Proposed Federal Grant Rule Changes Mean for Nonprofits": https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/what-proposed-federal-grant-rule-changes-mean-for-nonprofits/Chronicle of Philanthropy — "Nearly 90 Percent of Nonprofit Leaders Worry About Burnout": https://www.philanthropy.com/news/nearly-90-percent-of-nonprofit-leaders-worry-about-burnout/Urban Institute — "Nonprofit Leaders Reported Growing Uncertainty from 2024 to Early 2025": https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2026-05/Nonprofit_Leaders_Reported_Growing_Uncertainty_from_2024_to_Early_2025.pdfThe NonProfit Times — "Beware Because Donors Don't Feel Financially Fulfilled": https://thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles/beware-because-donors-dont-feel-financially-fulfilled/Capital Campaign Pro — "2026 Nonprofit Sector Research for Capital Campaign Fundraising": https://capitalcampaignpro.com/2026-nonprofit-sector-campaign-fundraising/NonProfit PRO — "Report: Millennials Are Driving a Shift in Philanthropy": https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/while-nonprofits-eye-gen-z-millennials-are-shaping-philanthropic-giving/NonProfit PRO — "New Report Identifies Key Factors That Influence How Financial Advisers Recommend DAFs": https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/new-report-identifies-key-factors-that-influence-how-financial-advisers-recommend-dafs/UC San Diego — "2026 Triton Giving Day Breaks Records, Raising $1.1 Million": https://today.ucsd.edu/story/2026-triton-giving-day-breaks-records-raising-1.1-millionApproximate Timestamps: - 0:00 — Introduction and episode preview 0:30 — The Big Picture: Federal funding shifts, 5% giving growth paradox, leadership burnout, and donor financial stress3:30 — Why Donors Give: Millennials reshaping philanthropic expectations5:00 — What Changed This Week: Financial advisors as untapped fundraising partners6:15 — The Bottom Line: Three actions for the week7:15 — Good in Action: UC San Diego's record-breaking Triton Giving Day8:15 — Sign-off

    State of Good for June 15, 2026

  4. May 18

    State of Good for May 18, 2026

    Episode Title: Foundation Priorities Are Shifting — Is Your Organization Ready? Summary: - The Center for Effective Philanthropy's State of Nonprofits 2026 report reveals the most challenging operational environment for nonprofits in years, with foundations redirecting dollars toward basic needs programs A new IRS Form 990 Transparency Initiative will change how nonprofits report activities and how the public accesses that informationResearch shows donor-advised fund donors are rarely anonymous — opening major relationship-building opportunities for nonprofitsA Cambridge University study confirms that specific, verifiable impact claims build donor trust far more effectively than abstract appealsThe University of Nevada's Giving Day raised over $1 million from 1,900+ donors, proving broad-based community giving is still powerfulLinks: - Center for Effective Philanthropy — State of Nonprofits 2026: https://cep.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CEP_State_of_Nonprofits_2026_FNL.pdf Community Foundation of Greater Memphis — National Trends in Giving and the Growing Nonprofit Crisis: https://cfgm.org/the-well-must-not-run-dry-national-trends-in-giving-and-the-growing-nonprofit-crisis/Inside Philanthropy — 5 Things We Know About the New IRS Form 990 Transparency Initiative: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/5-things-we-know-about-the-new-irs-form-990-transparency-initiativeAmerican Heart Association Advisor Insights — Donor Advised Funds 2026 Outlook & Strategic Implications: https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give/planned-giving/professional-advisors-and-trustees/advisor-insights/donor-advised-funds-2026-outlook-and-strategic-implicationsCambridge University / Voluntas — Will You Trust Me? How Individual American Donors Respond to Informational Signals: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/voluntas/article/will-you-trust-me-how-individual-american-donors-respond-to-informational-signals-regarding-local-and-global-humanitarian-charities/0BA7A0086C78EDF08DE38726C1750CFDUniversity of Nevada — 2026 Giving Day: https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2026/thank-you-for-givingApproximate Timestamps: - 0:00 — Introduction and weekly preview 0:35 — Foundation funding shifts and nonprofit sustainability challenges3:15 — New IRS Form 990 Transparency Initiative4:30 — Why Donors Give: The power of specificity in building trust5:30 — What Changed: Donor-advised fund anonymity is rarer than you think6:45 — The Bottom Line: Three actions for this week7:30 — Good in Action: University of Nevada's record-breaking Giving Day8:15 — Sign-off

    State of Good for May 18, 2026

  5. May 11

    State of Good for May 11, 2026

    Episode Title: Gen Z Is Already Outgiving Other Generations — And What That Means for Your Fundraising Strategy Summary: - New data from GoFundMe and GivingTuesday Data Commons shows Gen Z participating in philanthropy at higher rates than other adult generations, with community-powered fundraising platforms serving as their primary on-ramp The BBB's Give.org 2026 Donor Trust Report finds 42% of U.S. adults are open to charity outreach, but a persistent trust gap means transparency is more critical than everGovernment funding cuts for social services are creating both pressure and opportunity for nonprofits to position themselves as essential community infrastructureLegacy giving research reveals that estate planning dramatically increases charitable bequests, driven by donors' desire to extend their impact beyond their lifetimeDelco Gives raised $2.5 million in 24 hours with 300+ nonprofits collaborating in a community-wide giving dayLinks: - Data Shows Gen Z Is In The Beginning Stages Of Philanthropy (The Nonprofit Times): https://thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles/data-shows-gen-z-is-in-the-beginning-stages-of-philanthropy/ Gen Z Philanthropy Outpaces That of Other Adults, New Data Shows (Nonprofit PRO): https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/gen-z-philanthropy-outpaces-that-of-other-adults-new-data-shows/Donor Openness Near High Although Trust Gap Persists (Give.org): https://give.org/news/donor-trust-report-2026-openness-trust-gapGovernment Cuts Are Testing Nonprofits, Creating New Opportunity (The Nonprofit Times): https://thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles/government-cuts-are-testing-nonprofits-creating-new-opportunity/'Too Many Nonprofits' Is Not Our Biggest Problem (Center for Effective Philanthropy): https://cep.org/blog/too-many-nonprofits-is-not-our-biggest-problem/Legacy Giving Research (Foundation for Philanthropy Research): https://leavealegacy.com/research/Delco Gives Raises More Than $2.5M (WHYY): https://whyy.org/articles/delco-gives-delaware-county-nonprofits-fundraising/Approximate Timestamps: - 0:00 — Introduction and episode preview 0:30 — Gen Z's philanthropic emergence and the trust gap3:30 — Why donors give: the psychology of legacy giving5:00 — What changed: government funding shifts and nonprofit sector resilience6:30 — The bottom line and three action items7:30 — Good in Action: Delco Gives raises $2.5M in 24 hours8:30 — Sign-off

    State of Good for May 11, 2026

  6. May 4

    State of Good for May 4, 2026

    Episode Title: "Survival, Stability, and the 31% Recurring Donor Surge" Summary: - AFP Icon conference reveals fundraisers are focused on survival strategies amid inflation, federal cuts, and tax changes Recurring donor bases have grown 31% since 2023, offering a blueprint for revenue stabilityThe IRS announces a formal rework of Form 990, signaling enhanced transparency requirements aheadNew research on 2,000+ donors reveals recurring givers see themselves as mission partners, not just supportersAction steps: diversify funding sources, optimize recurring giving, and prepare for new reporting standardsSources Mentioned: - Chronicle of Philanthropy — "Inflation, Cuts, Tax Changes: A Tough Year Takes Center Stage at AFP Icon": https://www.philanthropy.com/news/inflation-cuts-tax-changes-a-tough-year-takes-center-stage-at-afp-icon/ BYU Scholars Archive — "Nonprofit Leaders' Perceived Top Struggles: A Qualitative Study": https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1195&context=joniNonprofit Pro — "Recurring Donor Base Grew 31% Since 2023, New Data Reveals": https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/recurring-donor-base-grew-31-since-2023-new-data-reveals/The Nonprofit Times — "Reworking Of Federal Form 990 Set To Begin": https://thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles/reworking-of-federal-form-990-set-to-begin/NP Tech for Good — "New Research Reveals What Motivates Recurring Donors": https://www.nptechforgood.com/2026/04/28/new-research-reveals-what-motivates-recurring-donors/Approximate Timestamps: - 0:00 — Introduction and episode preview 0:35 — The Big Picture: AFP Icon, economic headwinds, and recurring donor growth4:00 — Why Donors Give: The partnership mindset of recurring donors5:15 — What Changed: Form 990 rework and transparency implications6:15 — The Bottom Line and three action items7:30 — Good in Action: Community over competition at AFP Icon8:30 — Sign-off

    State of Good for May 4, 2026

  7. Apr 27

    State of Good for April 27, 2026

    Episode Title: The Great Donor Concentration: 80% of Giving Now Comes from Major Donors Summary: - Major donors now fuel 80% of all charitable contributions as the overall donor base continues to shrink, according to fourth-quarter 2025 data from the Chronicle of Philanthropy Retained donors are seeing median gifts increase 20% year-over-year, with monthly donors showing a 71% retention rate after 12 monthsThe 2026 M+R Benchmarks confirm online giving's upward trajectory, with monthly giving as the standout performerNew research shows Christian women are the architects of household giving decisions, approaching philanthropy strategically as a family practiceOmidyar Network's outgoing CEO warns that philanthropy is "underestimating AI" at a critical moment for governance and policyLinks: - Chronicle of Philanthropy — Major Donors Fuel 80% of Giving: https://www.philanthropy.com/news/major-donors-fuel-80-of-giving-as-donor-base-shrinks/ NonProfit PRO — Median Gift Up 20% as Donors Who Stay Give More: https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/median-gift-up-20-as-donors-who-stay-give-more-often-and-more-generously/NonProfit PRO — M+R Benchmarks 2026: https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/mr-benchmarks-2026-what-online-giving-growth-means-for-your-donor-file/NonProfit PRO — Christian Women Lead Household Giving: https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/christian-women-lead-their-households-giving-strategy-new-data-shows/Inside Philanthropy — Philanthropy Is Underestimating AI: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/philanthropy-is-underestimating-ai-heres-how-to-catch-upHawaii Attorney General — Kona Low Disaster Relief Guidance: https://ag.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/News-Release-2026-18.pdfApproximate Timestamps: - 0:00 — Introduction and episode preview 0:35 — The Great Donor Concentration: major donors fuel 80% of giving2:30 — Retention pays off: median gifts up 20%, monthly giving benchmarks3:45 — Why Donors Give: Christian women as architects of household philanthropy4:45 — What Changed: philanthropy underestimating AI5:45 — The Bottom Line: three action items for the week6:45 — Good in Action: Hawaii's disaster response infrastructure7:45 — Sign-off

    State of Good for April 27, 2026

  8. Apr 20

    State of Good for April 20, 2026

    Episode Title: The Intention-Action Gap: What Donors Say vs. What They Do Summary: - New research from Effective Altruism Australia reveals philanthropic funders claim to prioritize evidence but give based on emotional connection — pair your data with story Nonprofit PRO highlights how fundraising caution is costing organizations real dollars — your donors may be waiting for the right askHarris Poll data shows only 1% of older Americans prioritize philanthropy in wealth transfer plans, but younger inheritors are 3x more likely — start next-gen cultivation nowNonprofit Quarterly identifies five distinct generosity profiles among American donors — understanding motivation matters more than demographicsThe 2026 Giving Challenge in Sarasota raised $16.7 million in 24 hours through collaborative community fundraisingLinks: - Inside Philanthropy — The Data Is In: "Effective" Philanthropy Has an Evidence Issue: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/the-data-is-in-effective-philanthropy-has-an-evidence-issue Nonprofit PRO — Nonprofit Donor Solicitation: Cost of Caution: https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/nonprofit-donor-solicitation-how-caution-may-be-costing-you-donations/The Nonprofit Times — Transfers Of Wealth Might Be Excluding Nonprofits: https://thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles/transfers-of-wealth-might-be-excluding-nonprofits/Nonprofit Quarterly — Why Americans Give: New Research Finds 5 Distinct Profiles for Generosity: https://nonprofitquarterly.org/why-americans-give-new-research-finds-5-distinct-profiles-for-generosity/Community Foundation of Sarasota County — 2026 Giving Challenge Results: https://www.cfsarasota.org/press-release/2026-giving-challenge-resultsApproximate Timestamps: - 0:00 — Introduction and episode preview 0:30 — The evidence gap in "evidence-based" giving and donor solicitation practices3:30 — The great wealth transfer reality check4:30 — Why donors give: five generosity profiles5:45 — What changed this week: closing the intention-action gap6:45 — The bottom line and three action items7:30 — Good in Action: 2026 Giving Challenge raises $16.7 million8:15 — Sign-off

    State of Good for April 20, 2026
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The Pure Charity State of Good Podcast is your weekly intelligence brief for nonprofit leaders and fundraisers. Each episode cuts through the noise to deliver what actually matters: how donors are thinking about giving right now, what's shifting in the sector, and the psychology behind generosity. Data-driven insights you can use immediately, in about 10 minutes, once a week.

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