Where Advancement Is Heading in 2026 and How to Keep Pace

From donor disengagement to stretched teams, leaders are being asked to do more with less—often with tools and approaches built for a different era.
This report highlights four key findings from EAB’s 2026 Advancement Leaders Survey, along with clear opportunities to strengthen engagement, improve strategy, and drive growth.

Read on for actionable insights for advancement leaders, including how:

• Advancement teams can make their institution a higher priority for donors through clearer messaging and coordinated, omnichannel outreach.
• Institutions can use digital marketing to unlock scalable acquisition for both alumni and non-alumni donors.
• Advancement leaders can move from reporting to strategy through untapped potential in their existing data practices.
• Institutions can grow leadership giving by aligning predictive data with structured, consistent stewardship of gifts and intentional donor engagement.