2025 Food Bank
Mid-Year Benchmark
Mid-Year Benchmark
Introduction
As we look back at the first-half of 2025, food banks across the country are showing strength and resilience as they navigate a complex and rapidly changing landscape marked by cuts to federal funding, high inflation and increased demand for food assistance.
RKD’s mid-year benchmark report offers a data-driven snapshot of fundraising performance from 83 food bank organizations across the United States—providing valuable insights into donor behavior, revenue trends and opportunities for strategic growth. As you'll see, the data is highly encouraging for food banks and offers strategic guidance to help plan effectively while sustaining the vital mission of ensuring everyone facing hunger receives the food they need.
—Eddy Camas, Senior Vice President, RKD Group
A Note from RKD's Marketing Science Team
Here is a look at our top 3 takeaways:
Based on this benchmark data, RKD’s strategy and decision science experts developed three recommendations for food bank organizations going forward:
1. Prioritize stewardship
Stewardship is essential at every giving level. Focus on retaining those you have in your corner, especially multi-year donors, who make up 48% of active donors and contribute 70% of revenue under $10,000.
2. Grow monthly sustaining donors
Food banks are making strong progress in growing their monthly donors, who now account for about 12% of giving under $10,000. As revenue from this group continues to rise, it’s crucial to keep investing in and nurturing monthly giving programs.
3. Grow mid- and major giving
As we approach the high-giving holiday season, mid-level gifts are trailing behind and accounting for just 16% of all giving, while major gifts lead, with 67% of all revenue. With more strategic relationship building, both segments have strong potential for growth.
About the report
What we measured
The 2025 Food Bank Mid-Year Benchmark Report contains full-file data from 83 RKD food bank clients across the United States, representing data from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2025. This data includes metrics such as total revenue, active donors, retention rate, donor value, average gift and gift frequency. Contributions of $10,000 or more were excluded to prevent skewing results by major-giving efforts.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Revenue up 7%
From FY24 to FY25, revenue excluding gifts of $10,000 or more grew 7% year to date. This growth is encouraging as food banks continue to navigate funding cuts and other challenges.
Revenue including $10,000+ gifts up 10.6%
Year to date, revenue including major gifts ($10,000+) grew 10.6% from 2024 to 2025. For 2025 thus far, major gifts represent 67% of revenue, mid-level gifts ($1,000 - $9,999) 16% and general gifts 16%. Major-gift revenue is seeing fantastic growth.
Active donors up 1.7%
FY24 to FY25 YTD, the number of active donors increased 1.7%. This growth may be due to donor response to government funding cuts.
Revenue per active donor up 5.2%
For gifts under $10,000, the revenue per donor grew 5.2% from 2024 to 2025 YTD. It’s great to see this metric grow year after year.
Average gift up 5.9%
The average gift grew 5.9%, or $8.23, from FY24 to FY25 YTD. After years of fluctuation, it’s encouraging to see a new high from FY21 YTD.
Gift Frequency down .7%
Comparing the first half of 2024 to that of 2025, gift frequency has decreased by .7%. This change of -.02 is minimal and not cause for concern.
New and reactivated donors up 16.4%
New and reactivated donors increased by 16.4% from 2024 to 2025 YTD. Reengaging with donors who were lapsed 25+ months is proving worthwhile.
See how other sectors performed
About RKD Group
RKD Group is the growth architect for nonprofits. We design fundraising and marketing programs that accelerate donor engagement and net revenue for your organization. We simplify complexity and scale your impact through bold strategy, creative orchestration and audience-led insights.
What does that mean exactly? Simply put: We help your fundraising thrive.
Reach out to us and discover expertly crafted, optimized fundraising.