New Findings on Donor Behavior: Highlights from the 2012 Cygnus Donor Survey

Posted , by Natalie McGaughey, Development Coordinator. Topic: Philanthropy Research & Events.

For the past four years we have looked forward to reviewing statistics on donor behavior from the Cygnus Donor Survey. This is an annual research study of active American donors that charts recent giving experiences and future philanthropic intentions. It is led by author, researcher, and president of Cygnus Applied Research, Inc., Penelope Burk. The 2012… Read more »

Giving USA Discussion at the Hudson Institute: Advice to Nonprofits and their Board Members

Posted , by Erin Phillips, Marketing Director and Campaign Consultant. Topic: Boards of Directors, Giving USA, Nonprofit Management.

On Friday the Hudson Institute’s Bradley Center for Philanthropy and Civic Renewal, in partnership with Illinois University’s Center on Philanthropy, hosted a discussion titled “Giving USA 2012: Who Gave, How Much, and to Whom in 2011?” The Curtis Group’s Vice President, Wendy McGrady, along with Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy Executive Director, Patrick M. Rooney; Nonprofit Quarterly’s… Read more »

Giving USA 2012 Snapshot

Posted , by Lauren B. Fenn, campaign consultant. Topic: Giving USA.

As one of 40 members of the Giving Institute, each June we anxiously await the early release of the Giving USA report–the longest running, most comprehensive report on philanthropy in America. This year marks Giving USA’s 57th consecutive annual report. In 2011, U.S. Charitable giving totaled $298.4 billion, a four percent increase, and the second… Read more »

Nonprofit Research Collaborative Releases New Study

Posted , by Wesley Stanley, Marketing Director. Topic: National Research Collaborative, Philanthropy Research & Events.

Earlier this week, the Nonprofit Research Collaborative released the results of its most recent Nonprofit Fundraising Study, which covers charitable receipts of U.S. nonprofit organizations during the 2011 calendar year. More than 1,600 nonprofits responded to the survey representing organizations with both large and small budgets and across all sectors from Arts, Culture and Humanities to… Read more »

Growing Philanthropy

Posted , by Wesley Stanley, Marketing Director. Topic: Philanthropy Research & Events.

A recent article in The Nonprofit Quarterly posed the question, “How can we grow philanthropy in the United States?” It’s one that deserves some thought, especially in light of the fact that giving in this country has remained flat (approximately 2% of household income) over the past 40 years. As we highlighted in a post last… Read more »

Charitable Giving Forecast: How Potential Changes in the U.S. Tax Code Could Encourage an Increase

Posted , by Erin Phillips, Campaign Consultant. Topic: Government, Philanthropy Research & Events.

The nonprofit industry is keeping a close watch on Washington in 2012 as this year could bring about some significant changes in tax legislation that will affect American’s charitable giving. While most of the proposed policies are not favorable to organizations filing as 501(3)c, fundraisers could see an increase in donations this year as people… Read more »

New Year’s Advice, and Good News, For Nonprofits

Posted , by Keith Curtis, President. Topic: Philanthropy Research & Events.

With 2012 off and running, we wanted to pass along some guidance that we shared earlier this week in a column for The Hampton Roads Business Journal, Inside Business. While fundraising remains challenging in our post-recession economy, nonprofits that are strategic in their approach and demonstrate effective programming will find success in raising money. We have… Read more »

Giving USA Spotlight: Relationship Cultivation Using Social Media

Posted , by Erin Phillips, Campaign Consultant. Topic: Donor Retention, Giving USA.

As most nonprofits are wrapping up the final week of their annual giving campaign and gearing up for the New Year, we wanted to share some valuable information from the latest edition of the 2011 Giving USA Spotlight series. The third and final issue of the year, entitled, “Relationship Cultivation Using Social Media” offers good… Read more »

Americans Remain Amongst the World’s Most Generous

Posted , by Wesley Stanley, Marketing Director. Topic: Philanthropy Research & Events.

As another challenging year for nonprofits draws to a close, we were encouraged to read this week that a recent global poll found the United States to be the most generous country in terms of charitable giving. Despite the fact that we are still recovering from the worst recession we’ve seen in decades, Americans managed… Read more »

More Nonprofits, Really?

Posted , by Wendy McGrady, Vice President. Topic: Fundraising, Philanthropy Research & Events.

A recent study found that 12 million baby boomers want to start their own nonprofit or socially oriented business over the next decade. While this sounds like a wonderful way to engage in social change by improving communities, it’s troublesome news to those of us in the nonprofit industry who observe constant duplication of services… Read more »