The first quarter of 2025 was anything but quiet. From the return of President Trump and sweeping tariff policies to sharp market corrections and mounting global trade tension, the news cycle didn’t just dominate headlines—it shaped how donors gave.
At Optimize Consulting, we analyzed content performance across our network of liberty-aligned nonprofits and advocacy clients to uncover what worked (and what didn’t) in Q1. The results are in—and if you’re planning your next campaign, this is a must-read.
Despite Q1’s reputation as a slow fundraising season, we saw clear spikes in March—especially on March 31. The reason? Goal-oriented campaigns and capital drives.
Donors responded when organizations gave them something to rally around. A clear deadline and a specific ask outperformed vague general appeals every time.
Email inboxes were crowded in Q1—and development leaders who sent from their own name often got lost in the shuffle. Campaigns signed by well-known figures, board members, or aligned public personalities performed significantly better in both housefile and prospecting efforts.
In short: if your name doesn’t spark instant recognition, borrow one that does.
With the inauguration, executive orders, and tariffs dominating every outlet, campaigns that tried to push unrelated narratives struggled to gain traction. The most successful content aligned with national conversations and used timely hooks to stay relevant.
The full report includes predictions for Q2 fundraising performance, including:
Expected donor behavior amid economic uncertainty
The role of global trade tensions and inflation headlines
How to plan content that adapts to fast-moving news
📥 Want the full breakdown, campaign examples, and Q2 strategies?