Stepping Into the Next Era of Fundraising
Artificial intelligence is reimagining how nonprofits operate, and GiveCon 2026 showcased just that. With nearly 700 nonprofit leaders gathering to dive into the future of AI-powered fundraising, there's a clear shift happening in the sector. Attendees weren't just twiddling their thumbs—they were hungry for real innovation to tackle donor engagement and fundraising growth.
Bloomerang Team Unveils Strategic Partnership
At the center of it all was Bloomerang's clever move to partner up with Dataro. Picture this: donor data isn't just sitting pretty in databases—it's getting the AI treatment. Dataro's predictive intelligence weaves through Bloomerang’s Giving Platform, pointing fundraisers toward donors who might lapse, who's ready for another donation, and where those big-ticket opportunities are lurking.
“The partnership with Dataro reflects what we heard at the conference: fundraisers don't need more data. They need a partner that makes sense of that data," stated Dennis Fois, CEO of Bloomerang.
The Sector's Growing Appetite for Practical Tools
Fundraisers have their eyes on tools that impact actions—not just hoard data—and the conference hammered this home with over 60 sessions. From strategizing recurring donations to mastering high-conversion pitches, attendees soaked up insights like sponges. Earning CFRE credits was the cherry on top for those looking to level up their game.
Battling Stagnation with AI Insights
Bloomerang's collaboration with Dataro isn't coming in as just more fancy fluff. Nonprofits are in fierce need of actionable insights. They want guidance, not just numbers. It's the difference between staring into a sea of statistics and having a map that guides where to pour energy. Smart models indicating at-risk donors or prime candidates for major gifts streamline a previously behemoth task.
The Givie Awards: Celebrating Nonprofit Excellence
If innovation is on one end of the nonprofit spectrum, excellence is its counterpart. The second annual Givie Awards hoisted nonprofit pioneers onto the pedestal they deserve. A salute to initiatives like Well Aware's campaign, which earned more than $200,000 for water access in East Africa. Talk about channeling resources with precision.
From creative volunteer strategies at Nourish Meals on Wheels to Meredith Harrison's outstanding leadership at Canine Companions, every accolade told the same story—tapping into tech and strategic partnering can redefine success.
- Well Aware: $200,000 for clean water via H2gO campaign.
- Nourish Meals on Wheels: 1,250 volunteer shifts for holiday giving.
- Meredith Harrison: Outstanding fundraising leadership for service dog programs.
- Eye Thrive: Enhanced vision care for St. Louis children.
- TBRS Community: Exceeded end-of-year campaign goals.
Looking Ahead to GiveCon 2027
Naturally, GiveCon 2026 wrapped up with anticipation for the next iteration—heading to Atlanta in 2027. It's gear-up time for nonprofit professionals ready to draft their playbooks on innovation-fueled growth.
What Bloomerang and the gathered organizations at GiveCon pressed home is that technology isn't just about fancy algorithms and AI—in the nonprofit world, it's about mobilizing missions, propelling change, and making every single donation count.
