Summary
Built on giving data from 70 institutions, the 2026 Virtuous Benchmark Report for Education Nonprofits covers 12 total metrics and shows you how education fundraising is performing right now. Find your numbers, see what’s driving them, and walk away with a clear plan for building continuity underneath the capital work that’s already producing results.
What You’ll Take Away
- Know What’s Working and Where the Gaps Are. Every metric is benchmarked against other education organizations, with cross-sector context where it matters.
- Stop Guessing Your Next Move. Specific next steps and the tools to execute them, so the work ahead feels actionable instead of abstract.
- See the Story Behind the Numbers. A connected view of how all the metrics feed each other, so you understand why education fundraising works the way it does.
Key Findings
Education Leads the Sector on Donor Lifetime Value. At $4,165.66, education LTV runs nearly double the cross-sector average of $2,234.30, reflecting decades-long relationships with high-capacity donors.
More Than Half of Active Donors Are in Their First Year of Giving. New donor acquisition sits at 59.32%, but only 14.28% return for a second gift.
Recurring Giving Holds Just 9.25% of Revenue. The lowest compared to other sectors and the most direct path to lifting frequency, retention, and lifetime value across the donor base.
Download the report and see where your biggest opportunity sits.
