Fundraising Secrets from the DonorPerfect conference!
I am at the DonorPerfect conference and I’m learning a LOT.
Here are some highlights from the GivingUSA Report based on research in the Center on Philanthropy in Indiana.
Bob Evans Giving USA Presentation Donor Perfect Conference
The Good news:
Americans are the most generous people on the planet
Arts giving is up, but it’s like a yo-yo.
The Bad News
Traditional umbrella campaigns like United Way, Combined Federal campaigns etc. are rebounding, but you are seeing donor direction a lot more. Their gifts have gone WAY WAY down in the last few years. People at United Way are a bit scared.
The competition is more severe than ever before, even with the IRS removing 250,000 501 c 3 organizations. We still have 1.2 million nonprofits in America, up 50% from 1970.
Interesting facts:
Individuals give 87% of the money in America. Still. Yet.
Donors want ROI. Return on Investment. If I make a gift, what happens as a result of that gift?
Donors want financial transparency. They want a serious annual report with REAL info and how you run it.
Giving to religion is not as prevalent as it once was because there’s more competition, and there is a lack of professionalism on the part of the clergy.
What you need to know:
Donor Advised Funds received significant money in 2010. This is the bank account for donors, and they are waiting to hear from you about a project that sizzles
This is where the money is going.
What ARE Donor Advised Funds?
They may have $5,000 or above in their funds. These funds, people can get a tax write-off and can put in gifts as many times as they want. They usually build up their funds to a certain dollar amount before they start making a distribution.
Where do you FIND Donor Advised Funds?
You could try to research in the National Philanthropic Trust and Fidelity, you would want to talk with the people managing the fund, even if you don’t talk to the donor directly.
But honestly you need to meet the people who have them. This is usually people who have between $250,000 and $2M in personal wealth, and they can start these with $5,000, instead of the usual number $50,000 to $100,000 that people
TAKEAWAY:
You need to find out WHO has the donor advised fund, who wants to give and what knocks their socks off.
The other place money is going is into Planned Giving, and you need to set up that program ASAP.
When you have a conversation with people about their current gift, talk also about their PLANNED gift.
AND finally, Bob Evans recommends that you research your donors as much as you possibly can.
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Full disclosure:
I was flown to this conference by Donor Perfect, they paid for my car and my hotel room, and that is it.
September 19th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
It was great seeing you at the conference. Good luck at the rest of the conference.
September 19th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Thanks Mr. Evans, I enjoyed meeting you!