2025 Central US Philanthropy Snapshot

2025 Central
US Philanthropy
Snapshot

A closer look at the nonprofit sector and regional philanthropic opportunity

CCS Fundraising's A Snapshot of the Central US Philanthropic Landscape offers a collection of high-level demographic and nonprofit sector data across 20 states in the Central US and their major cities.Contents

Explore State & City Data

Alabama

Arkansas

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Nebraska

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Wisconsin

Thank you for reading the

Central US Philanthropy
Snapshot

Introduction

CCS Fundraising is excited to share the Central U.S. Philanthropy Snapshot. This collection of high-level demographic and nonprofit sector data examines 20 states across the central United States and their major cities, offering a snapshot of regional philanthropic opportunity and comparisons across other markets.

The data in this snapshot is more than just statistics; it's a powerful tool for driving strategic planning and enhancing the effectiveness of philanthropic efforts. By analyzing demographic and nonprofit sector data, philanthropic leaders can tailor their strategies to meet the unique needs and opportunities of their region, ultimately maximizing community impact.

While the state of the charitable sector is ever evolving, the power of philanthropy is enduring. We are confident that donors will continue rising to the occasion and nonprofits will continue expanding their reach and impact. It remains a meaningful and dynamic time to empower the missions that are bettering our world.

Stay up to date on the latest trends and best practices across the nonprofit sector by visiting the CCS website and subscribing to our emails. Should you need a partner or resource in navigating current opportunities and challenges, our team stands ready to support you.

Sincerely,

Your Friends at CCS

With this data at your fingertips, you can:

Strengthen Organizational Capacity: Learn from case studies like the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, which increased its annual fund by 50% and secured over 2,000 new donors, to strengthen your organization’s capacity and improve donor engagement strategies.
Enhance Community Engagement: Compare data from regions with high nonprofit employment, such as in St. Louis, MO, where 17% of their 2.8M population are nonprofit employees. This data can inform strategies to build on a community’s strong philanthropic mindset, including creating more volunteering opportunities and forming stronger partnerships between nonprofits.
Leverage Successful Campaign Strategies: Learn from successful campaigns like the Arkansas Children’s Foundation, which raised over $274.9M on its $250 million goal. Consider applying similar data-driven approaches to prioritize donors and cultivate long-term fundraising relationships at your organization.

Optimize Resource Allocation: Individuals in Memphis, TN give a high percentage of their income to charities (7.13%) compared to other markets. Directing resources towards regions with high charitable giving potential can be an effective use of time and resources for organizations whose reach spans multiple markets.
Utilize Predictive Modeling: Take inspiration from organizations like Children’s Mercy Kansas City, MO, who leveraged predictive modeling to identify new major gift prospects and optimize fundraising efforts. These efforts helped inspire two transformative $75 million gifts toward their campaign goal.
Inform Planned Giving Strategies: Use median age demographics to guide planned giving strategies. Cities like Cleveland, OH have older median populations (41.9) compared to other markets and may be more likely to consider planned giving options.