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Inspiring donors big and small | Engaging your volunteers
Greetings from DCCF!
We’re hearing from many of you that 2026 is presenting both opportunities and challenges. Headlines about major philanthropic gifts are inspiring donors, volunteer engagement—especially among younger generations—is creating new pathways for support, and changes in tax policy are prompting important conversations about giving strategies. As always, DCCF is here to help you connect the dots, strengthen donor relationships, and position your organization for long-term success.
- Examples of generosity are powerful motivators. Recent stories about high-profile donors can help reinforce to your supporters that every gift—no matter the size—plays a meaningful role in advancing your mission. We’re happy to help you translate big headlines into compelling messaging for your own fundraising efforts.
- Today’s volunteers are tomorrow’s donors. Many volunteers, especially younger ones, are deeply committed to your mission but may not yet see themselves as financial supporters. With the right approach, you can nurture these relationships over time—from small annual gifts to major and legacy support.
Thank you for the opportunity to work together! Please reach out anytime you want to strengthen donor engagement, grow your endowment, or explore new ways to build sustainable support for your mission. We are here for you!
Lori Trenholm,
Director of Community Investment
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News & Notes
DCCF Current and Upcoming Grant Programs:
The 2026 DCCF Grant Calendar is now available on our website. Post cards are also available at the DCCF office. We love having our nonprofit partners drop by!
Donor advised funds are a very easy way for your organizations to receive donations; however, there are a few IRS restrictions--especially about fundraisers and events. Take a moment and review the guidelines on the DCCF website here.
REMINDER: Follow-up for Board Roles & Responsibilities Workshop
If you were able to join us for the Effective Nonprofit Leadership Workshop on February 25, we want to thank you for taking the time to learn and practice with us. We haven't received much feedback on the post-event survey, so please take a moment to let us know what you thought through this link. Also, we have one more post-event meet up later this week on Thursday, April 2, at Noon. If you have time to join us for an informal discussion about takeaways from the event, hop into this Zoom room with us! https://ksu.zoom.us/j/99298914524
DCCF Grants Management System
The DCCF Grants Management System has a refreshed, new look on your Dashboard and Organization Summary pages! We hope it’s easier to navigate to find historical and current applications and grant reports. To watch a 5-minute tutorial click here. If you have questions or need additional assistance, please email Lori Trenholm, loritrenholm@dccfoundation.org.
The Kansas Association of Community Foundations provides DCCF with monthly updates on available grants for our nonprofit partners! You can find them on our website here. Check back often for new grant opportunities!
The Lawrence Rotary Club is soliciting grant applications from service organizations in our community. The criteria for the awards are Rotary’s seven areas of focus: 1) Promoting Peace and Conflict | Prevention/Resolution; 2) Disease Prevention and Treatment; 3) Providing Clean Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; 4) Maternal and Child Health; 5) Supporting Education and Literacy; 6) Economic and Community Development; and 7) Protecting the Environment.
Grants generally range between $1,000 – $4,000 per organization. We recommend that you do not request funds for ordinary operating expenses but instead apply for funds for non-recurring expenditures or special projects. Equipment and furniture purchases or one-time project needs are examples of fundable expenditures.
Applications must be submitted online no later than 8:00 am on May 4, 2026. To access the application, follow the link here.
DCCF is pleased to provide GrantStation as a complimentary service to our nonprofit partners at the Lawrence Public Library. GrantStation can help you identify potential funding sources for programs or projects, as well as resources to mentor your organization through the grant-seeking process.
If you have questions about any DCCF Grant Program or creating an organization fund, contact Lori Trenholm, Director of Community Investment, loritrenholm@dccfoundation.org.
This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. |
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Inspiring donors: Examples are powerful! our planned giving partner: Five ways DCCF can help
2026 is not without its challenges, but there are still plenty of reasons to put a spring in your step—50 of them! High-profile donors who continue to support favorite charities offer inspiration for all donors—including your donors—to do even more to support your mission at whatever financial level makes sense for each donor.
Recent headlines and commentary highlighting the nation’s top philanthropists serve as a powerful reminder that generosity remains strong, even in uncertain times. Well-known donors like Michael Bloomberg and others on the “Philanthropy 50” list continue to make transformational gifts across sectors—from education and public health to the arts and climate initiatives. Their giving is bold, strategic, and deeply impactful.
But here’s the key takeaway for nonprofits: While these headline-grabbing gifts are inspiring, they are not the whole story. In fact, they are most valuable when viewed as catalysts—sparks that can ignite broader participation in giving at every level.
The ripple effect of generosity
Major donors often set the tone for charitable engagement. When philanthropists publicly commit significant resources to causes they care about, it sends a powerful signal: This work matters. These organizations are worthy of investment. Change is possible.
Your donors are paying attention. Even if they are not in a position to give at the same level, they are influenced by what they see. High-profile generosity can validate their own desire to give and reinforce the idea that philanthropy is an important—and normal—part of financial life.
This is where your messaging matters.
Bridging inspiration to action
It’s important to connect the dots for your donors. While a multimillion-dollar gift may feel out of reach, the underlying motivation—making a difference—is universal. Your role is to translate inspiration into accessibility.
Consider reinforcing messages like:
- Every donor plays a role in advancing the mission
- Collective giving drives real impact
- Participation matters just as much as capacity
When donors understand that they are part of something bigger, they are more likely to engage—and stay engaged.
Every gift makes a difference
In times of economic uncertainty, some donors may hesitate. They may wonder whether a smaller gift is meaningful or whether it’s worth giving at all. This is your opportunity to be clear and consistent: Every gift makes a difference. This is especially important in light of the new deduction for non-itemizers—$1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for joint filers.
A $100 gift, a $1,000 gift, and a $1 million gift all move your mission forward. They simply do so in different ways. When you highlight tangible outcomes at multiple giving levels, you help donors see themselves in the story of impact.
For example:
- A modest gift might fund supplies, meals, or program access
- A mid-level gift might support a specific initiative or expand services
- A major gift might underwrite long-term growth or innovation
- Each contribution is essential. Each donor is valued.
Lead with gratitude and inclusion
Finally, remember that inspiration is most effective when paired with appreciation. Celebrate generosity in all its forms. Share stories that highlight not only transformational gifts, but also consistent, loyal support from everyday donors.
By doing so, you reinforce a culture of philanthropy that is inclusive, empowering, and sustainable.
The headlines may spotlight 50 major donors—but your organization’s story is written by hundreds, even thousands, of supporters who choose to give in ways that are meaningful to them. When you connect inspiration with accessibility and reinforce that every gift matters, you create the conditions for generosity to grow—no matter what challenges the year may bring.
Please reach out to DCCF team! We are happy to help you connect the dots between big headlines, donations of all sizes to support your operations or endowment, and, most importantly, making a big difference in the lives of people in our community. |
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From volunteering to legacy giving: Building your future donor base
A recent wave of research is reinforcing something nonprofit professionals have long suspected: today’s volunteers—especially younger ones—are deeply motivated by a desire to make a difference. In fact, about 8 in 10 people ages 12 to 25 report participating in some form of service, often through flexible, everyday acts like organizing donation drives or helping others in their communities.
That’s an encouraging signal. But it also presents an opportunity—and a challenge. Many of these individuals see themselves as helpers, advocates, and community builders…yet they may not automatically see themselves as financial supporters.
The good news? Volunteers are one of your most promising pipelines for future donors.
Start with what they already believe
Volunteers already care. They’ve raised their hands, given their time, and connected personally with your mission. That’s a powerful foundation.
Research shows that younger volunteers are especially motivated by impact, connection, and purpose. They want to know that what they’re doing matters—and they want to feel part of something meaningful. That mindset translates naturally into charitable giving when nurtured the right way.
Make the connection between time and treasure
One of the most effective strategies is also one of the simplest: Help volunteers see that financial support is just another way to make a difference.
Many young people are already comfortable with this idea. Surveys show that donating goods or organizing fundraising efforts are among the most common forms of service for younger generations. In other words, they already understand that money—and mobilizing money—can drive impact.
Your role is to connect the dots:
- “You’ve seen the impact firsthand.”
- “You know what it takes to deliver this work.”
- “Here’s how a small financial gift can extend that impact even further.”
When positioned this way, giving feels like a natural extension of volunteering—not a separate ask.
Start small—and make it easy
For many volunteers, especially students and early-career professionals, capacity is limited. That’s okay.
- Introduce giving in accessible ways:Modest annual gifts
- Monthly recurring donations
- Peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns
- Giving tied to volunteer milestones
The goal is not the size of the gift—it’s the habit. A volunteer who becomes a first-time donor, even at a small level, is far more likely to give again.
Grow with them over time
One of the most important insights from recent volunteer trends is that engagement evolves. Commitments shift as young people move from school to careers to family life.
Your strategy should evolve with them.
As volunteers grow in their careers and financial capacity, so too can their philanthropy:
- Annual donors can become mid-level supporters
- Engaged donors can be introduced to major gift opportunities
- Longtime supporters can begin thinking about legacy gifts
- Committed champions can help build endowment funds for long-term impact
This is a long game—and volunteers are uniquely positioned to travel that journey with you.
Offer leadership and ownership
Another key takeaway from the research is that young volunteers want more than participation—they want ownership. Many report higher engagement when they can help plan, lead, or shape activities.
This is a powerful bridge to philanthropy.
Consider:
- Inviting volunteers to help lead fundraising campaigns
- Encouraging them to organize giving initiatives
- Creating ambassador or advisory roles
When volunteers take ownership of outcomes, they become more invested—not just in the work, but in sustaining it financially.
Build a culture of lifelong philanthropy
Ultimately, the goal is not just to convert volunteers into donors—it’s to cultivate lifelong supporters of your mission.
Volunteers who give are more likely to:
- Stay engaged longer
- Increase their support over time
- Advocate for your organization within their networks
And perhaps most importantly, they carry your mission forward across generations.
The surge in volunteerism—especially among Gen Z and Gen Alpha—is more than a trend. It’s an invitation. By meeting volunteers where they are, starting small, and growing with them over time, nonprofits can build a powerful pipeline from service to sustained financial support.
A note about politics
Many people get involved in a wide range of volunteer activities, including politics, to make meaningful community change. Now is a good time to refresh your recollection about the parameters within which your organization can get involved. We love this article for a thoughtful overview. Your board might find it useful as well!
Because today’s volunteer is very often tomorrow’s donor—and, with the right engagement, tomorrow’s major gift or legacy supporter. As always, DCCF is here for you! Please reach out anytime.
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