Association of Fundraising Professionals - Quad Cities Chapter’s Post

In another insightful article by the TheNonProfit.Pro the writer Amanda L. Cole dives into how overlooking donors who contribute between $1,000 and $10,000 can be a big miss for nonprofits. These donors are often loyal, with the potential for long-term contributions, yet they're not always engaged in ways that could maximize their support. Cole's article offers actionable tips for connecting with these valuable supporters by understanding and catering to their different preferences. From personalized communication to adapting fundraising strategies to include various giving options, these insights are vital for any nonprofit looking to boost their fundraising game. This is a must-read for fresh strategies on engaging your donor base effectively. https://lnkd.in/eQchgVcT

As an introvert, events are difficult. I attend tons of them – but it is never easy. Events that are industry related like conferences and seminars – even more so. When I received an invitation to attend the launch of the Giving Report in Toronto – I was poised to ignore it. I always read and share the report. Why attend another event? The event started at 8:15 a.m. -- far from home. Car/Train/Taxi. The room would very likely include folks with whom I’ve had challenging relationships. That’s a sad truth for most people who have worked in almost any industry for as long as I’ve worked in this one. Pause. Reflect. Think again. Think about how this event might help you in your work to inspire greater philanthropic support to the child welfare sector. We need so much more funding. The task ahead is daunting. I registered. I’m glad I did. I got to see IRL some incredible humans who I’ve either never met in person or have not seen “live” in many years. I feel a little like the host on Romper Room (any one else remember that show?) – I saw Pete Bombaci,Dave Hutchinson, Andrew Clendinneng, Bruce MacDonald, Daniel Poliziani, Donna Richardson, CFRE, Sonya Swiridjuk, Heather Nelson, MBA, CFRE, Duke Chang, Mary Barroll, Dave Baran, Brad Offman, Graham Hill and my favourite publisher Jim Hilborn. Importantly, I was inspired by the panelists and presenters who brought their diverse perspectives to the analysis of the data presented in the Giving Report. Tovah Barocas from Earth Rangers, Habon Ali from Apathy is Boring, and Justin Scaini from Kids Help Phone thank you for your voices and hopeful optimism for the future. Finally, I was reminded about the importance of connection and community to generosity and philanthropy. I laid to rest my concerns about the in-person events we continue to elevate at Peel Children's Aid Foundation. We need to see each other. We need to connect. We need to build community. Yes, events are expensive and taxing on volunteers, staff and budgets. The cost to raise a dollar is high compared to other kinds of fundraising. But we need them. Events are part of a diverse portfolio of philanthropic support. Events that are mission driven, raise funds, friends and awareness of the need to level the playing field for the equity deserving children, youth and families we work alongside - will remain a focus for us. We will continue to co-create events that build connection for donors to each other and to our mission. We’ve purposefully limited our main event this year to 300 people in the hope that donors, sponsors and event attendees will have a more intimate experience and be able to engage with one another. Reconnect. Be part of a collective of people doing something really important – transformative even – for children, youth and families managing some of life’s biggest challenges. Thank you CanadaHelps and Rubin Kataki, CNP, MFA-P™ at Environics Analytics for providing accessible data that drives good decisions.

🚨 Declining Funding for Reentry Nonprofits 🚨 The work #reentry organizations do is critical. Here at the Center for Community Transitions, we help individuals impacted by #incarceration rebuild their lives, reunite with their families, and reintegrate into society. But right now, #nonprofits like ours are facing a serious challenge: declining funding. 💔 Here are some of the trends you should know that affect reentry nonprofits like CCT: 📉 Individual giving, which represented 20% of CCT revenue in FY23, has declined in recent years, with many donors shifting their focus toward other causes. In 2022, charitable giving by individuals dropped by over 6%, making it harder for nonprofits like ours to meet growing needs. 🏛️ Private foundations, which made up a third of CCT revenue in FY23, are redirecting their funds to global causes like climate change. Research shows that 40% of private foundations have restructured their giving, leaving key reentry programs underfunded. 💼 Corporate donations have also decreased across the nonprofit sector. During FY23, despite significant economic growth in the Charlotte region and higher-than-national-average employment rates, corporate donations made up less than 1% of CCT revenue. This aligns with corporate giving declining from 2.1% in 2021 to 1.9% in 2022. ⚠️ Post-pandemic funding for nonprofit infrastructure is more critical than ever as communities face growing needs. However, many nonprofits are caught in the "nonprofit starvation cycle," where organizations are pressured to underfund essential infrastructure like technology, staff development, and operations. Despite the increased demand for services, overhead funding remains stagnant, leaving reentry organizations struggling to meet the needs of the people we serve. As these trends continue, reentry nonprofits are struggling to keep up with the increasing needs of the people we serve. This decline in funding directly impacts our ability to:    👩🏭 Provide job training and employment support for people reentering the workforce.    👨👩👧 Offer youth and caregiver support services that help families rebuild relationships.    🏢 Advocate for second chance hiring and policies that open doors for those impacted by incarceration. ✨ Our work changes lives and strengthens communities, but we can't do it without the support of people like you. That’s why we’re asking for your help through our 50th Anniversary Gala on November 1st. ✨ Can’t attend? No problem! You can still support CCT and help us continue our life-changing work by purchasing a ticket or making a donation in honor of this milestone. Every bit helps us continue providing second chances and hope for a better future. 💙 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e-DmCd7t Thank you for standing with us during this critical time. Together, we can keep making a difference. 🙌

✅✅ FUNDRAISING FACTS ✅✅✅ In 2023, individuals contributed the most to nonprofits, giving over $374 billion. By comparison, foundations gave $103 billion, $42 billion came from bequests, and corporations gave $36 billion. This data suggests that individual donors are the largest source of funding for nonprofits, accounting for nearly 80% of total donations. ✅ ✅✅This has significant implications for fundraisers✅✅ 1. Focus on individual giving: Fundraisers should prioritize building relationships with individual donors, as they have the greatest potential for impact.✅ 2. Diversify funding streams: While individual giving is crucial, fundraisers should still seek support from foundations, corporations, and bequests to reduce dependence on a single source.✅ 3. Personalized engagement: Individual donors respond to personal connections, so fundraisers should use storytelling, acknowledgments, and tailored communications to build strong relationships.✅ 4. Stewardship matters: Retaining individual donors is vital; fundraisers must ensure timely acknowledgments, transparent reporting, and demonstrating impact to maintain trust.✅ 5. Capacity building: Nonprofits should invest in infrastructure and staff to effectively manage and cultivate individual giving, ensuring long-term sustainability.✅ #fundraising #donors #philanthropy #grantmaking #innovations #partnership Data Source: CANDID

#NonprofitLeaders, looking for a template to write an influential Donor Impact Letter? 📩 Loved this resource/template from Chad Barger, ACFRE, ACNP at Productive Fundraising "This type of communication helps build trust and strengthens the relationship between the donor and the nonprofit, which is crucial for long-term donor retention. Sending an impact letter not only acknowledges and appreciates the donor’s generosity but also motivates continued support by demonstrating the real-world impact of their contributions." #BuildBetter

There's much talk about how under-funded #nonprofit organizations are lately since the annual Ontario Nonprofit Network 2024 sector survey came out. Yes, it’s challenging for nonprofit leaders to face funding concerns, especially after the influx of support in 2020 and 2021, followed by a drop-off. And there are many reasons for funding declines. One reason: while some organizations have paid fundraising staff who know how to build relationships with funders, many nonprofits don’t have a dedicated fundraising team member. Many organizations have been talking about hiring for this position for years, but never do, and their board keeps discussing the lack of revenue. Sound familiar?! 🫠 Because many organizations don't have a paid fundraising staff member, some organizations don’t even send thank you notes to donors or submit required paperwork to funders. Then they wonder why they didn't receive donations or grants from those people again. 🤔 Money doesn’t typically arrive out of nowhere, and funders don't typically continue providing money if they never hear from the organization they funded. If you're leading a nonprofit and are tired of being under-funded, there are actions you can take to change that situation. Invest in your fundraising capacity! If you haven't hired and trained a fundraising team member (even a part-time one to start)... don't know what 'prospect list' or 'direct response' or 'major gift' or 'stewardship' means... can't recall who your top 10 donors/funders are... 😬 you have some work to do regarding your organization's fundraising abilities. The organizations I work with that focus on building their fundraising abilities are seeing revenue GROWTH! Leadership must prioritize revenue generation or risk continued declines—just like any business without a sales/marketing team. If you don't have a fundraising plan and someone to execute it... strong revenue results can't be expected. 🤷♀️ While some #nonprofit leaders will read this report and think 'woe is me', there are other leaders who will sit back and consider what they can do to take action and change their funding situation. If that's you... get in touch! I can help. There is money available... but you need to know how to go out there and get it. #Fundraising #RealTalk https://lnkd.in/etRNq38z

Nonprofits can partner with for-profit businesses. Many nonprofits partner with for-profit businesses to achieve their goals, such as through cause marketing campaigns or corporate social responsibility initiatives. Nonprofits can have a significant impact on social issues. Nonprofits have played a critical role in addressing social issues such as poverty, hunger, and access to healthcare. Nonprofits have a significant impact on the economy. According to a report by the National Council of Nonprofits, the nonprofit sector contributes more than $1 trillion to the US economy each year.

Nonprofits are the backbone of thriving communities. Yet, in states like Alabama, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana, there are over 20% fewer nonprofits per capita compared to the national average. This disparity leaves crucial gaps in services for vulnerable groups—children, youth, women, elderly, and low-income families. I recently spoke with a nonprofit leader in rural Mississippi. Despite their limited resources, they’ve been providing educational support to over 200 underserved students, helping 85% of them improve their literacy skills in just one year. However, they’re stretched thin, facing dwindling funds and limited grant access. Sadly, stories like theirs are all too common. The need is clear. While passionate founders and volunteers are on the ground making a difference, many don’t have the tools or funding needed to sustain and grow their impact. That’s where RUOVA Consulting comes in. We’re partnering with grassroots organizations to close the funding gap and amplify their mission through strategic grant fundraising and capacity-building support. Through Project 80, we’re partnering with 80 nonprofits across 12 underserved states to equip them with the tools they need to thrive—whether it’s securing more grants, expanding their reach, or building operational capacity. Because every community deserves a chance to flourish—no matter the zip code. But we cannot do this alone. We need your help. Fundraising professionals, nonprofit leaders and executives. What nonprofit do you know could use more help? Most importantly, what are we doing to help them? Be a bridge today. We all need to become one for the community.

"Nonprofits that want better fundraising results will need to engage donors in a wider variety of ways, creating a dialogue that isn’t always about money, especially in difficult times... [There is a] new group of donors who may be more responsive to rapid community support, nonconventional forms of philanthropy, and digital fundraising efforts." We found similar results in our Cultural Engagement Survey Report in partnership with Creative Fundraising Advisors. Our results suggest the top 3 drivers to donate are: 1. Support an organization's mission 2. Urgent need 3. Support an organization as a community resource Support for mission and how cultural attractions serve their communities motivate donors most. Urgent need drives the action to donate. Cultural attractions need to communicate this messaging in solicitations and create a variety of giving-opportunities (one-time gifts, annual fund, monthly/quarterly sustainer, member program, donor program) to reach potential donors.

I always get asked why there are so many nonprofits or what they do for the community. So when you’re out and about and see the little red bucket with a volunteer behind it just know they are their to help. Nonprofits, as a sector, are vast and diverse, making a significant impact both economically and socially. In the United States alone, the nonprofit sector contributes over $1 trillion to the economy annually and employs around 12 million people, making it one of the largest workforces. Globally, nonprofits also manage trillions of dollars in assets and funding, supporting vital causes that governments and corporations often overlook. Nonprofits vary in size, from small, community-based organizations run by a handful of volunteers to massive international entities like the Red Cross or Oxfam. These organizations often rely on donations, grants, and volunteers to operate, but they also employ millions in professional roles, including management, healthcare, education, and social work. Their reach is not limited to local communities—many nonprofits work across borders, providing disaster relief, combating global health crises, and advancing human rights. Their ability to mobilize resources and people for a cause showcases their essential role in addressing the world's most pressing challenges. Nonprofits amplify the power of collective action, creating a bridge between individuals and larger societal needs.