Guides

The 2025 State of Advancement Report

How are alumni engagement and fundraising teams tackling today’s biggest challenges?

We asked higher ed advancement professionals from institutions of all sizes to share what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next. The results reveal how alumni engagement and fundraising teams—as well as executive leadership—are driving participation, using tech to do more with less, and leveraging data to connect the dots from engagement to giving. Some of the insights might surprise you!

What’s inside the report:

  • The top challenges holding advancement teams back – and what’s helping them thrive
  • How institutions are measuring the ROI of alumni engagement
  • What fundraising staple remains mission-critical for advancement success
  • Where teams see the biggest opportunities (and roadblocks) for AI and technology
  • See how your team stacks up against 30+ peer institutions
  • Spot trends shaping alumni engagement, fundraising, and donor relations
  • Get practical ideas you can put into play right away

Advancement is evolving. This report gives you the benchmarks, insights, and next steps you need to move forward with confidence.