Online giving in 2025: 5 trends transforming the fundraising world

From AI-driven campaigns to recurring micro-donations: the fundraising world is evolving fast. Discover the 5 most important trends for charities in 2025 and how WeGlow is already applying them.

Based on data from over 67,000 donations on WeGlow and international research, here are the 5 biggest trends transforming fundraising in 2025.

67,000+
donations analyzed
72%
donations via smartphone
+30-40%
more revenue with recurring
+25%
higher retention with AI

๐Ÿ“ˆ Trend 1: Recurring donations become the norm

๐Ÿ“Š Organizations with an active recurring program have on average 30-40% higher annual revenues than those relying solely on one-time donations.

WeGlow Donate makes this possible with a simple widget you place directly on your own website โ€” no technical knowledge needed.

๐Ÿ“ฑ Trend 2: Mobile-first is no longer optional

ProblemImpact
Slow mobile load timeEach extra second costs 7% conversion on average
Small buttons on touchscreenDonors drop off before the payment screen
No mobile payment optionMissed donations from local payment method users

๐ŸŒ Trend 3: Social proof as a driver

  • ๐Ÿ•ฏ๏ธ Every donation becomes a visible candle on the world map
  • ๐Ÿ‘€ Donors see in real time who donated before them
  • ๐Ÿ“ฒ Every candle is shareable on social media
  • โค๏ธ The sense of being part of something bigger triggers new donations

๐Ÿค– Trend 4: AI helps charities fundraise smarter

AI applicationImpact
Personalized emails based on donation historyHigher open and click rates
Optimal send times for newslettersUp to 30% more opens
Automatic campaign updates at milestones2x more engagement
Churn prediction for monthly donors25% higher retention

๐Ÿ•ฏ๏ธ Trend 5: Digital memorial fundraising

  • ๐ŸŒน Family and friends light virtual candles
  • ๐Ÿ’Œ Messages of support for loved ones
  • โค๏ธ Donations to a cause the deceased cared about

๐ŸŒŸ Ready for the fundraising of tomorrow?

WeGlow combines all five trends in one platform โ€” for every organization, large or small.

Discover WeGlow for your organization โ†’

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to recruit monthly donors in 2025?

The most effective method is a prominent โ€œdonate monthlyโ€ button on your website, combined with a clear explanation of what a monthly gift concretely achieves for beneficiaries.

How important is social media for fundraising?

Crucial. Campaigns actively shared on Instagram and Facebook raise on average 3x more than campaigns without a social media strategy.

What is memorial fundraising?

Memorial fundraising is collecting donations in memory of a loved one โ€” as a meaningful alternative to flowers. WeRemember provides a complete digital solution for this.

How does WeGlow use AI?

WeGlow uses automatic update suggestions based on milestones and donation movements, helping organizations communicate at the right moment without extra effort.