One billion dollars a day. That’s how much Americans give to help others, on average. Thanks to their generosity, total U.S. charitable giving reached an estimated $373.25 billion in 2015, achieving an all-time high for the second consecutive year. The findings were announced today, as Giving USA 2016: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year… Read more »
It seems like people are busier than ever these days, and trying to connect with a donor for an in-person meeting can be a challenge. For that reason, nonprofit professionals often rely heavily on mailings and emails to communicate with donors. However, making the effort to meet with prospective and current donors face-to-face is one of the… Read more »
As a fundraising professional, staying on top of the latest trends in giving can feel like a full-time job. One of the hottest topics in the philanthropic community today is the increased popularity of donor-advised funds. DAFs provide many benefits to both the donor and nonprofit. For donors, they: • Allow creation of a fund within… Read more »
We heard it straight from the source. Each year, key organizations that guide fundraising in our region come together at the sold-out Funders Forum, hosted by VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads. I was honored to be asked, once again, to moderate the panel at the April 6 event. In addition, our firm’s executive vice president, Wendy McGrady,… Read more »
Two out of three charitable organizations said their gift revenue increased in 2015, and nearly seven out of 10 expect to raise more money in the coming year, according to survey results released Monday by the Nonprofit Research Collaborative. As chair of Giving USA Foundation, which is a sponsor of this survey, I was encouraged… Read more »
Putting a major gifts process in place doesn’t happen overnight; it takes a strategic cultivation plan tailored to each potential donor. But as we’ve seen time and again, the result is always worth the effort. Here are five important ways to improve your chances for success: 1. Know your “rights.” Is it bad timing? Am… Read more »
Donors want to see you making an impact on the community—but you need to make an impact on donors, too. One of the best ways to do both is through a well-designed and engaging case for support. A case for support is the basis of all your fundraising materials. Your case should outline your organization’s… Read more »
Courtesy of our Giving Institute Colleagues Dunham+Company Reprinted with permission Donors 40-59 years old are now the most likely to give online, countering the conventional wisdom that younger donors are more likely to give online, according to a recent survey commissioned by Dunham+Company and conducted by Campbell Rinker. The percentage of donors 40-59 years old giving… Read more »
It looks like 2015 was The Year of the Capital Campaign. According to the National Research Collaborative’s “Special Report on Nonprofit Fundraising Campaigns,” released Jan. 3, about 46 percent of nonprofits surveyed were in either a capital or a special campaign during the first half of 2015, up from 11 percent in 2011. Considering that… Read more »
The search for new donors can be costly and time-consuming … and let’s face it, as an arts and culture nonprofit, you’d rather be focusing on programs. What if I told you that’s the same place you should be looking for donors? Because the best prospects are already right under your nose, and already passionate… Read more »
