--- title: "Religion is declining in the US: Here’s what that means for faith-based nonprofits" description: Religion in the U.S. is still in decline, but it's not all doom and gloom for faith-based fundraisers. Here's how to navigate this new landscape. image: https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hubfs/06-29-2023_Faith%20Decline_1200x620.jpg --- [![](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/210111-RKD-Groupthinkers-Rebranded-Logo-Blog-png.png?width=157&name=210111-RKD-Groupthinkers-Rebranded-Logo-Blog-png.png)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com) - [Solutions](https://rkdgroup.com/services/) - [Mid-Level Giving](https://rkdgroup.com/services/mid-level-giving/) - [Monthly Giving](https://rkdgroup.com/services/monthly-giving/) - [Lapsed Giving](https://rkdgroup.com/services/lapsed-giving/) - [Personalization](https://rkdgroup.com/services/personalization/) - [Connectors](https://rkdgroup.com/services/connectors/) - [Machine Learning](https://rkdgroup.com/services/machine-learning/) - [Marketing + Fundraising](https://rkdgroup.com/services/marketing-fundraising/) - [Audience Development](https://rkdgroup.com/services/audience-development/) - [Creative Services](https://rkdgroup.com/services/creative-services/) - [Data Management](https://rkdgroup.com/services/data-management/) - [Strategic Planning](https://rkdgroup.com/services/strategic-planning/) - [Analytics](https://rkdgroup.com/services/analytics/) - [Causes](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/) - [Animal Care](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/animal-care/) - [Food Banks](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/food-banks/) - [Health + Hospitals](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/health-hospitals/) - [Humanitarian](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/humanitarian/) - [Missions](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/missions/) - [Salvation Army](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/the-salvation-army/) - [Results](https://rkdgroup.com/results/) - [Acquisition](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=acquisition) - [Digital](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=digital) - [Mid-Major Programs](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=mid-major-programs) - [Advanced Analytics](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=advanced-analytics) - [Direct Mail](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=direct-mail) - [Multichannel Strategy](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=multichannel-strategy) - [Data Management](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=data-management) - [Media](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=media) - [Website Development](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=website-development) - [Resources](https://rkdgroup.com/insights/) - [Blog](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/) - [Benchmarks](https://info.rkdgroup.com/benchmarks) - [Webinars](https://info.rkdgroup.com/webinars) - [Ebooks + Research](https://info.rkdgroup.com/ebooks-research) - [Podcast](https://info.rkdgroup.com/group-thinkers-nonprofit-marketing-podcast) - [Field Guides](https://info.rkdgroup.com/field-guides) - [About Us](https://rkdgroup.com/about/) - [Leadership](https://rkdgroup.com/about/leadership/) - [Careers](https://rkdgroup.com/about/careers/) - [Let's Chat](https://rkdgroup.com/lets-chat/) #### Subscribe to our blog ### Subscribe to Email Updates ## Featured Post   [RKD Group](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/rkd-group) ## [RKD Group Acquires Whiteboard](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/rkd-group-acquires-whiteboard) Premier Marketing Agency Bolsters Conceptual Creative Capabilities by Acquiring Award-Winning Agency PLANO, Texas, July 27, 2026 — Today, RKD Group, Nor\[...\] [Digital Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/digital-fundraising) [Direct Mail Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/direct-mail-fundraising) [Multichannel](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/multichannel) [Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/fundraising) [Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry) [RKD](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/rkd) [Brand](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/brand) [Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/rkd-group-acquires-whiteboard)   [Shane Thornal](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/shane-thornal) ## [Why nonprofits must unite SEO, social and paid media in one strategy](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-nonprofits-must-unite-seo-social-and-paid-media-in-one-strategy) Someone at your organization “owns” paid media. Someone else—often younger and under resourced—runs the social accounts. A third person (or maybe no one\[...\] [Digital Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/digital-fundraising) [SEO](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/seo) [Digital Media](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/digital-media) [Social Media](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/social-media) [Data & Analytics](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/data-analytics) [Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-nonprofits-must-unite-seo-social-and-paid-media-in-one-strategy) ## Recent Posts [Missions](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/missions) # Religion is declining in the US: Here’s what that means for faith-based nonprofits By [Duke Smith](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/duke-smith) Three years ago, we shared how [changing attitudes toward religion](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/changing-attitudes-toward-religion-are-impacting-faith-based-fundraising) were impacting philanthropy.  Today, we wanted to take another look. Is religion still in decline? How will that impact fundraising for faith-based organizations?  According to the [Pew Research Center](https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/09/13/modeling-the-future-of-religion-in-america/), 64% of Americans identified as Christian in 2020. That number is down from 90% in 1972. And it’s projected to continue to decline, depending on the scenario, to levels as low as 35% by 2070.  ![Pew Research Center Decline in Christianity](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pew%20Research%20Center%20Decline%20in%20Christianity.png?width=700&height=631&name=Pew%20Research%20Center%20Decline%20in%20Christianity.png) On the opposite end of the spectrum, people who are religiously unaffiliated accounted for 34% of the U.S. population—up from 5% in 1972—and are projected to become the majority of the population by 2070.  ![Pew Research Center Rise in Nones](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pew%20Research%20Center%20Rise%20in%20Nones.png?width=700&height=674&name=Pew%20Research%20Center%20Rise%20in%20Nones.png) As a faith-based fundraiser, you may view this dramatic projection as harrowing, especially as you look to grow your mission and reach younger, faith-driven donors.   But it’s not all doom and gloom.  Many people of faith feel this trend— and while some may feel discouraged, most are actively looking for ways to support organizations that reflect the tenets of their religion. They’re looking for nonprofits like yours to connect with so they can put their faith into action in order to alleviate pain and suffering.  ## **How to navigate this new landscape**  ### **Stay true to your mission and values. **  This is perhaps the most important piece of advice I can give a faith-based organization, or any nonprofit, for that matter. Donors are losing trust in nonprofits—and if we veer off course and lose sight of our values or mission in order to appeal to wider audiences, they will sense it.  ### **Listen to your donors.**  Now more than ever, it’s critical to know your target audience and who your donors are. Listen to them—in the appeals they respond to, in the feedback they give you and in the programs they support.  Use this wealth of information to show them you know them, you understand what’s important to them and you’re committed to the work you do despite any hardships you might be facing.  ### **Have the courage to think outside the box. **  It’s time to bring faith-based fundraising into the 21st century. To attract younger audiences, we can’t solely rely on direct mail and email campaigns. We have to meet them where they are.  How can you expand into new markets? Maybe it’s partnering with a faith-based musician touring the U.S., investing in DRTV spots on streaming services or leaning into the strength of Christian or faith-based media.   ### **Work with an agency partner who understands your calling. **  Finally, work with a creative partner who understands your values and your mission. Your donors will quickly identify if a message is written by someone who doesn’t truly understand their faith and the calling they feel for your particular organization.   As views on religion continue to shift in the U.S., it’s our responsibility, as faith-based fundraisers, to shift as well—working harder to listen to our donors, reach them where they are and have the courage to think outside the box.   [Read on](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/how-3-faith-based-organizations-are-dealing-with-religious-decline-in-the-u.s) to see the different creative approaches that three faith-based organizations are taking as they adapt to this new reality.    ### [Duke Smith](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/duke-smith) As Senior Vice President, Client Strategy, at RKD Group, Duke Smith brings philanthropic counsel to the charitable community throughout Canada, the United States and internationally. In his 25-year career, Duke has provided direct-marketing fundraising expertise for North America’s largest and most respected nonprofit organizations, including American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Canadian Red Cross, ChildFund International, Heart & Stroke, International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Plan International Canada, Save the Children USA and Canada, World Vision Canada, UNHCR, UNICEF Canada, United Service Organizations (USO), and many others. Duke has traveled to more than 40 developing countries to meet, film and photograph children and their families whose lives have been impacted by the organizations he has worked tirelessly to serve. 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