In an era of rising expectations and constrained budgets, advancement leaders need clear benchmarks and proven strategies to optimize fundraising investment. Drawing on survey responses and performance data from Marts&Lundy’s benchmarks database, the Fundraising Investment Study 2025 provides a comprehensive view of budgeting practices, investment justification strategies, and fundraising efficiency across sectors. It offers insights you need to strengthen your case for investment and optimize resource allocation for sustained philanthropic growth.
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What You’ll Discover
Based on insights from 243 nonprofit organizations across seven countries and a broad cross-section of the nonprofit sector, this study explores how organizations resource development programs, what data shapes investment decisions, and which metrics define success.
Who Should Download This
What’s Inside
Key Insights: What the Data Reveals
1
The Path to Data-Driven Budgeting
One-quarter of organizations have adopted data-driven budgeting. Learn how early adopters use ROI trends and peer benchmarking to secure resources and what it takes to join them.
2
The Scale Advantage
Large organizations achieve 3–4x better ROI, but the practices driving this efficiency can be applied at any scale.
3
The Campaign Effect
Organizations in active campaigns achieve 38% higher ROI. Understand how strategic campaigns catalyze both increased revenue and enhanced efficiency.
4
Performance Benchmarks by Sector
Access median ROI and CPDR across higher education, healthcare, independent schools, arts and culture, and other sectors. See where you stand and identify aspirational targets.
5
What Organizations Value Most
83% of leaders cite peer benchmarking as most valuable for investment cases, while 77% prioritize ROI or CPDR trends. Learn what data decision-makers trust and how to leverage it.
About the Study
Conducted between July and September 2025 with 243 nonprofit organizations representing higher education, healthcare, independent schools, arts and culture, and other sectors. Analysis combines survey data with Marts&Lundy’s comprehensive benchmarks database.
Acknowledgements
A special thank you to the following team members for their significant contributions to this report:
Jessie Brooks, Senior Consultant & Principal
Don Fellows, Senior Consultant & Principal | Practice Leader, Higher Education
Brian Zive, Consultant and Senior Data Scientist, Philanthropy Insights & Analytics
Let’s Connect!
Want to explore how you can strengthen the link between resources and results? Contact us: info@martsandlundy.com