Research, announcements and thoughts about fundraising
In the heart of historic Prague, the European Fundraising Association's (EFA) Skillshare 2023 unfolded, promising knowledge, innovation, and inspiration under the theme "ELEVATE & INNOVATE: EMPOWERING FUNDRAISING IN EUROPE." This event highlighted the vital role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the nonprofit sector and its future prospects. As a participant, I can affirm that it was an exceptional experience!
Read More“Negatives raise more money than positives”, right? Maybe. But is it even the right debate to be having? We believe not. The discussion should be around how we can fundraise in a way which is meaningful to the donor and delivers them the opportunity to enhance their wellbeing. In this blog, Prof. Jen Shang explains more, with an example from USA for UNHCR.
Read MoreThreats or danger posed by our environment are nothing new and have continuously challenged humans for centuries. Now we have new insight shedding light on how threats affect people’s intention to donate. What better time to understand the impact of threats on donation intention than right after a global pandemic? It turns out that this knowledge can seriously impact your fundraising!
Read MoreFor almost thirty years I’ve been championing the importing from the commercial world of satisfaction, commitment, and trust as relationship measures that can help nonprofits manage loyalty. But it’s long past time to stop our reliance on our for-profit colleagues and begin to create new models and perspectives for ourselves.
At IFSP we are just beginning to see the results from our new two-year study of donor loyalty and retention focused on the factors that drive actual future behaviour.
Read MoreVu Le’s provocative article on donor-centrism has caused heated debate within the sector. But what are the issues with this critique, how do differing definitions cause tension and how does donor wellbeing fit into the argument? Prof. Adrian Sargeant shares his thoughts on Vu’s arguments.
Read MoreWhen deciding how to communicate about legacies, fundraisers should be conscious that supporters thinking about bequest giving are thinking in terms of a much longer timescale than those who are thinking about making a gift in the present. In 2008 we found that the language of lifetime and legacy giving was different. We share these key findings here, together with our more recent thinking on how to add genuinely more value for the donor and enhance the wellbeing that can accrue from the legacy decision making process.
Read MoreMatched giving appeals seem to have become the norm in the USA, and there is evidence that they do work. But what match offer works best and would other approaches lead to better ROI? And are there better ways to care for our donors? This blog from Professors Adrian Sargeant and Jen Shang explores matched giving and examples using the new science of Philanthropic Psychology.
Read MoreThe knives are out for philanthropists. Editorial coverage of their motives, gifts, and impact is increasingly negative, particularly in the UK, but in the USA and elsewhere too. Does it matter? Many worry that it does. Is Philanthropist the identity we should use to define others when they give and how are we fuelling differences in terms of superiority/inferiority by using terms like major donor. This blog by Prof. Adrian Sargeant explores a post-modernist look at philanthropy.
Read MoreIt was with immense sadness that we learned of the passing of our dear friend and colleague Simone Joyaux, this past Sunday. We remember her warmth, humor and generosity (in every possible sense) with immense affection. She was very much loved and will be sorely missed.
Our thoughts are with Tom and her family.
Read MoreI don’t see donor centricity as the dominant paradigm in fundraising. For that to be true, the majority of organizations in our sector would need to be able to identify donors needs and follow through on their satisfaction, and they do not. The metrics we use to assess our practice are almost exclusively financial and we care little for our supporters and how we make them feel. True donor centricity would require organizations to look to the wellbeing and growth of their supporters. And as a sector, we’re not there yet.
Read MoreWhat does love have to do with fundraising? What happens when you combine identity, wellbeing and love? What is philanthropic psychology? To find the answers to all your questions, read on.
Read MoreIt has been five and a half years since the tragic death of Olive Cooke. Most fundraisers will remember the media furore that erupted in the months immediately following her death, when it was revealed she had been receiving close on 3000 mailings from charities in the course of a typical year. A report, and new regulator followed, promising the sector would do better. Yet how far have we really come?
Read MoreDo you really know who your supporters are? The more you understand about your donors’ identities, the more you can speak to them in ways that resonate. To kickstart 2021, we’re challenging everyone to really get to know who the people that support you are. Want to know how to go about it? Read on.
Read MoreWhy do we still use military metaphors in fundraising, and descriptions of donors that we wouldn’t use externally? Is it time to shake up our vocabulary and celebrate the best of everyone?
Read MoreWords create meaning and value, and we never stop learning about how to hit home with the words we write. Is your fundraising copy working hard enough?
Read MoreSince 2012, we have been looking at the characteristics of Great Fundraising organizations - those who have supercharged their fundraising ability and doubled, tripled or quadrupled their fundraising income. What makes them achieve fundraising greatness? Read on to find out more.
Read MoreIs Relationship Fundraising today the same as it was in the 1990s? What do we have to learn, and where should we go from here? Find out more about Relationship Fundraising 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0.
Read MoreOne in five fundraisers feel undervalued and believe they are not considered professionals.
Our research found fundraisers being recognised as professionals leads to greater philanthropic orientation, which in turn leads to greater fundraising performance.
Read MoreIn the Spring of 2020, we were commissioned to conduct a survey on the topic of fundraising planning. The goal was to determine the extent to which nonprofits had adopted planning processes and how well supported these were across the organisation.
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