Charitable giving in the United States has reached a new milestone, surpassing $600 billion for the first time. Behind the headlines are important shifts in donor behavior, foundation funding, corporate philanthropy, and planned giving that your nonprofit should understand. 

Join Dini Spheris consultants, Victor Brooks and Bronwyn Walker for an engaging discussion of the findings from the 2026 Giving USA Report, the nation's most comprehensive look at charitable giving trends. Together, we'll move beyond the numbers to explore what the data signals for nonprofit organizations and how it can inform your fundraising strategy in the year ahead. 

As nonprofits navigate changing donor expectations and increasing need for philanthropic support, understanding the broader landscape has never been more important. This session will translate national trends into local insights that can help your organization strengthen relationships, identify opportunities, and plan for the future. 

We'll explore: 

• Where charitable giving is growing and what those trends may signal for nonprofit organizations in the coming years. 
• How foundations and corporate partners are evolving their giving strategies and what nonprofits can do to stand out in a competitive funding environment. 
• The continued rise of legacy and planned giving and why more organizations are investing in long-term donor engagement. 
• Changes in donor participation and engagement and the practical implications for fundraising, stewardship and relationship-building. 
• Ideas and takeaways you can apply immediately as you refine priorities, strengthen development efforts and prepare for what's next. 

Whether you're shaping organizational strategy, leading fundraising efforts, serving on a development team, or simply looking to better understand today's philanthropic landscape, this annual session offers a valuable perspective from one of the sector's most trusted sources of data. 

Come ready to learn, connect with peers and leave with fresh ideas for turning national trends into local impact. 

MEET THE PRESENTERS 

Matthew Pham, MPA, CFRE

Before becoming a nonprofit consultant, Matthew served in development roles with the Battleship Texas Foundation, Christian Outreach Center of Baton Rouge and LSU Foundation. At the Battleship Texas Foundation, Matthew helped advance a major capital campaign to preserve the historic battleship and expanded the organization’s development team. He previously led fundraising efforts at the Christian Outreach Center of Baton Rouge and supported advancement initiatives at the LSU Foundation, where he served as a trusted advisor to university partners. Matthew began his fundraising career in prospect research and has since developed expertise in capital campaigns, major gifts, giving societies, team leadership and community engagement. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Louisiana State University and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive. 

Victor Brooks

As a project manager at Houston Methodist Hospital, Victor helped to develop the initial plans for the hospital’s $500 million centennial campaign. After becoming a major gifts officer, Victor helped create and lead multi-million-dollar initiatives at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Health Science Center. Victor is a graduate of Rice University where he was also a member of the varsity football team. In 2020, he received the Builder’s Award, which honors young alumni who have made outstanding voluntary contributions to Rice since graduation. Victor is the immediate past- President of the Houston Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals/AFP and chaired the 2024 AFP National Philanthropy Day event.