The Future of Fundraising: Digital Giving, AI, Securities & Legacy Gifts

In this episode of CharityVillage Connects, we explore the changing landscape of Canadian philanthropy and the new fundraising trends that are shaping the future of the sector. Drawing on insights from the 2026 Giving Report, we look at how donor behaviour, technology, AI, legacy giving, and collaboration are reshaping the way nonprofits fund their work. What does it take to build stronger donor relationships, reimagine giving, and create resilience in such a volatile environment? Join us as we dig into the data, unpack the opportunities, and explore what charities and nonprofits can do now to prepare for the years ahead.Meet Our Guests in Order of AppearanceJulie Fiorini, General Manager, Donor Services & Brand Marketing, CanadaHelpsWen-Chih O’Connell, Executive Director, PayPal Giving Fund CanadaAllen Davidov - Senior Vice President and Practice Leader, EnvironicsKelly Cole, President & CEO, Sunnybrook Hospital FoundationDeepa Chaudhary, CEO, GrantOrb.comAbout your HostMary Barroll, president of CharityVillage, is an online business executive and lawyer with a background in media, technology and IP law. A former CBC journalist and independent TV producer, in 2013 she was appointed General Counsel & VP Media Affairs at CharityVillage.com, Canada’s largest job portal for charities and not for profits in Canada, and then President in 2021. Mary is also President of sister company, TalentEgg.ca, Canada’s No.1, award-winning job board and online career resource that connects top employers with top students and grads.Additional Resources from this EpisodeWe've gathered the resources from this episode into one helpful list:The Giving Report 2026 (CanadaHelps, 2026)The Future of Giving: Looking Beyond the Selfie – Unveiling Philanthropic Trends Among Canada’s Generation Z and Millennial Donors (PayPal Giving Fund Canada and AgentsC, 2023)Increase Your Fundraising with Securities Donations (CanadaHelps, 2026)Donor Activation Toolkit (Environics Analytics, 2026)PRIZM Segment Explorer (Environics Analytics)GrantOrb.comLearn more and listen to the full interviews with the guests here.