Nonprofit fundraisers are used to working in challenging environments. But many leaders across the sector agree that this moment feels different.
Across San Diego and the country, nonprofits are navigating a difficult reality: demand for services is rising while funding becomes less predictable.
Federal policy shifts, economic pressures and changes in donor behavior are creating conditions that require nonprofit leaders to adapt faster and think differently about how they sustain their work.
For fundraising professionals, this moment calls for persistence.
The Pressures Nonprofits are Facing Right Now
Data from the University of San Diego Nonprofit Institute 2025 State of Nonprofits and Philanthropy in San Diego paints a stark picture of the challenges nonprofit organizations in our region face.
Demand for services is rising rapidly. In 2025, 68% of San Diego nonprofits reported an increase in demand for services, yet only 8% reported they were able to meet all of the demand.
At the same time, funding is becoming less predictable. 81% of nonprofit leaders reported a decrease in funding from at least one major revenue source, including government, foundations, corporations and individual donors.
For many organizations, that gap between rising demand and shrinking resources is forcing difficult choices.
Some leaders report considering service reductions, pursuing funding from new sources or drawing from reserves to maintain operations.
These pressures place even greater responsibility on the professionals responsible for securing philanthropic support.
Fundraisers are Being Asked to Lead through Uncertainty
At many nonprofit organizations, big or small, fundraisers are taking on a broader role than ever before. Development leaders are helping organizations:
- Bring in new donors
- Diversify revenue streams
- Strengthen donor retention
- Engage boards in philanthropy
- Build stronger relationships with supporters
- Use data and emerging tools to inform strategy
At the same time, their teams are operating with limited resources and increasing expectations for measurable impact.
It is not surprising that many fundraisers across the sector are asking the same question: How can we strengthen fundraising to sustain our mission through uncertain times?
Time to Build for What’s Next
That question is exactly what inspired “Build for What’s Next”, the theme of this year’s San Diego Fundraising Conference presented by PNC Bank, taking place September 9–10, 2026, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.
The region’s largest annual gathering of fundraisers brings together 1,000+ nonprofit professionals and partners for two days of practical strategies, real-world tools and peer learning designed to help nonprofits strengthen fundraising and lead with confidence through uncertainty – intentionally priced to expand access to more nonprofits without compromising quality.
Conference partners and organizers believe that when nonprofits are stronger fundraisers, they are more stable employers, more reliable service providers and more effective partners in addressing the region’s most pressing challenges.
That belief is especially important in this moment.
What Nonprofit Professionals Need Most Right Now
When fundraisers gather to talk about growth, three priorities consistently rise to the surface:
- There is a growing need for practical fundraising strategies that work in today’s environment. From donor retention approaches to AI-informed fundraising tools, nonprofit leaders are looking for methods they can apply immediately.
- Professionals are seeking peer learning and collaboration. Many organizations are navigating similar challenges, and the opportunity to learn from one another often leads to the most valuable insights.
- Nonprofit leaders need space to step back from daily pressures and think strategically about the future of their organizations.
That’s why conference attendees will experience keynote sessions, breakout discussions and peer conversations focused on strengthening fundraising capacity and helping nonprofit professionals make confident decisions about what comes next.
San Diego is home to more than 13,000 nonprofit organizations working across housing, healthcare, education and more. Together, these organizations uplift communities and represent a vital part of our civic infrastructure.
But the strength of that infrastructure depends heavily on the people responsible for sustaining it.
Register: 2026 San Diego Fundraising Conference
Early Bird ticket pricing through May 15, 2026
