Even after all the news about the bleak economy, there is still very good news to be found for non-profits that fund raise!!
“Americans keep giving even in tough times, and nonprofits should gear for tough times by tuning up their fundraising fundamentals.”
What an excellent opportunity we have to go back to our fundamentals and really focus on those things that “make our non-profit” great!
What sets you apart from the pack when it comes to fundraising? Is it the personal attention you give to your donors? Is it the programs or service you offer? These are crucial questions to examine at a time when donors will be more choosy in who they give hard earned buck!
The following is a re-post from the Stanford Social Innovation Review and it addresses this “new” economy and fundraising for non-profits and references a new study by the Giving USA Foundation.
“With the economy tanking and its impact on charitable giving uncertain,
nonprofits should stay calm, stay focused, and keep a long-term perspective.Two new reports suggest Americans keep giving even in tough times, and nonprofits should gear for tough times by tuning up their fundraising fundamentals.
“When the economy shows stress, whether it is a recession or not, giving may grow more slowly,†says a new report by the Giving USA Foundation that looks
at historic trends in giving during recessions and economic slowdowns. “It is important to note that giving still grows.â€In its report, the Giving USA Foundation says the most important step nonprofits can take to raise funds during a recession or downturn is “to ask people for contributions in a clear and focused manner.â€
Key steps to successful nonprofit fundraising, the report says, include:
Working closely with the board “to make sure each board member is a current donor and an advocate for the organization’s vision and purpose.â€
1. Developing and following a “fundraising, communications, and stewardship planâ€
that will make it easier to stay focused, maintain momentum, and “say no to good
ideas that could divert resources unproductively.â€2. Focusing on efforts to renew gifts from current donors. “Take no donor for
granted,†the report says. “Thank donors, recognize their contributions and let them know of the accomplishments they have made possible.â€3. Maximizing the use of all fundraising tactics available, including thank-you calls by volunteers; online giving options; information about planned giving sent to loyal, long-term donors; and effective use of public relations and media relations.
The study for the Association of Health care Philanthropy says nonprofit hospitals and health-care systems enjoyed high growth rates since the mid-1960s because of greater professionalism in their fundraising practices.
So a key to effective fundraising in today’s tough economy, the study says, is “continued attentiveness to building the trust of established individual, corporate and foundation donors in the value and openness of our efforts.â€
By putting their fundraising fundamentals in order, nonprofits can gear themselves to effectively address critical social needs that only will grow as the economic storm rises.”
Todd Cohen, a veteran news reporter and editor, is editor and publisher of Philanthropy Journal, an online newspaper published by the A.J. Fletcher Foundation in Raleigh, N.C. Cohen has taught nonprofit reporting and media relations at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and at Duke University, and regularly speaks on the topics of nonprofit media relations and trends in the charitable world.