Survey: 93% of Wealthy Donors Will Maintain or Increase Giving in 2026

Nearly half of high-net-worth donors plan to give more in 2026, and only 6% expect to pull back, according to a new survey from Foundation Source that paints an unexpectedly bullish picture for nonprofit fundraising.

The Numbers

Of 350 respondents — including 256 private foundation operators and 94 donor-advised fund holders — 49% plan to increase giving, 44% will hold steady, and just 6% intend to reduce. The survey, conducted between December 2025 and January 2026, captures donor sentiment as markets fluctuate and federal policy shifts reshape the funding landscape.

Strong portfolio performance and growing local community needs are the top drivers pushing donors to give more. On the anxiety side, economic conditions (54%), the political environment (41%), and stock market volatility (40%) weigh most heavily.

Where the Money Flows

Education dominates donor priorities at 46%, followed by human services at 41%. The top philanthropic goals: making impact on causes they care about (64%), involving the next generation in giving (37%), and deepening relationships with grantees (37%).

Foundation Source, which administers $47 billion in charitable assets across 5,600 private foundations and 20,000 DAF accounts, reported that its clients have already distributed more than $1.6 billion in grants to over 27,000 recipients this year.

What Nonprofits Should Do Now

"Donors remain resilient and committed to their philanthropic missions," said Foundation Source CEO Joseph Mrak III. But the survey signals a shift: donors increasingly want measurable impact, deeper grantee relationships, and next-generation involvement.

Nonprofits that can demonstrate clear outcomes and engage donor families beyond the check-writing generation will be best positioned to capture this sustained giving. The Granted blog covers foundation funding strategies and funder research to help organizations connect with the right supporters.