Hi Reader,

I don't know about you, but I can't open my Instagram account these days without seeing a nod to 2016.

It’s everywhere. That lo-fi aesthetic, grainy filters, a callback to when the internet felt like a "place" rather than a time in history.

According to TikTok, searches for "2016" surged by 452% earlier this month, with more than 55 million videos created using the app's filter named after the year.

Was the music better? Maybe. Was the vibe different? Definitely.

The reason everyone is looking back isn't only about the memes. It’s because 10 years ago, the digital world felt a little less curated. And definitely less algorithmic.

For fundraisers, looking back to 2016 feels like remembering a time before digital business ran at warp speed. Before, we felt the pressure to optimize every single piece of data.

Nostalgia for the Win

Nostalgia is fun, but it’s also a teacher. If we look closely at what worked a decade ago, we find clues for today.

Do you remember the Ice Bucket Challenge? It wasn't a masterclass in predictive AI. And it certainly didn’t need 12 automations to take off.

It was messy. Videos filmed on a shaky phone camera. It was human. And that’s precisely why people wanted to be part of it.

That’s the lesson for our 2026 strategy. We don't need to throw out our modern tools, but it's time to recapture the essence of what made that era work.

What Still Works?

The best parts of that time are still the most effective parts today. I’d say, even more valuable now because they’re rare.

We’re currently drowning in content. (I know, it’s ironic that I say it!) But your donors see thousands of messages a day. Emails, posts, and now "AI slop." Ewe.

Clarity. This is no longer a "nice to have," it is a must-have strategy. And no, this doesn’t mean we go back to 40-page impact reports. It’s about having the confidence to say exactly what you need, and exactly how you’ll invest their donation. Simple.

No buzzwords. No fluff. Just the truth.

Focus. We have to stop chasing the myth of "omni-channel." Don’t let the pressure to be on all 15 social platforms paralyze you. Focus means the discipline to say "no" to the shiny new object so you can say "yes" to being fully present with the donors who actually care about you. Deepening relationships beats a wider reach every time.

Real Communication. We are all suffering from AI fatigue. Many of us can smell an AI-generated script from a mile away. Honest communication is the antidote. I’m not saying don’t use your tools, but write like a human, not a brand. Trade the "corporate polish" for a messy, honest connection. If it reads as if a robot wrote it, delete it.

So, where do we go from here?

We don’t want to live in the past. But what if we take the best of it with us?

The winning formula for this year doesn’t have to be "more tech." It means taking that timeless clarity and adding a healthy dose of experimentation.

Try the new tools, but don't let them spin you out of control. Test the latest platforms, but use them to get closer to the people who matter, not to push them further away.

Whatever you do, don't market at your donors. Work alongside them.

Whether it’s 2016 or 2026, people don’t support algorithms. They support missions that make them feel seen.

If you're ready to take action on 2026 and get started with a digital fundraising plan, hit reply! I read all your messages.
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