results of pulse of donor relations survey presented at 2013 ADRP SEDRC

1. A Finger on the Pulse of Donor
Relations
Lynne M. Wester
@donorguru

2. The Pulse
• www.donorrelationsguru.com/pulse
• The 915 respondents to this survey not only
make it statistically significant, they also show
the need and desire for relevant information
on the profession of donor relations -- a need
that until this study has never been filled.

4. Higher Education
61%
Healthcare
11%
NonProfit
18%
Arts
2%
Independent
Schools
7%
Other (please
specify)
1%
Organization Type

5. 1
22%
2
22%
3
16%
4
11%
5
7%
6-10
14%
10+
8%
How many staff members (including yourself) work in donor relations at
your organization?

6. less than 10
36%
10-25
24%
25-50
18%
50-100
12%
100-250
8%
250+
2%
How many staff are in your fundraising/advancement operation or division
at your organization?

7. 1-2 years
19%
3-5 years
25%
5-9 years 27%
10+ years 29%
How many years of experience do you have in donor relations?

8. 0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
Stay in the donor
relations field
Do something
else in the
fundraising
world
Work for
nonprofits but
not in
fundraising
Work in the for-
profit world
Retire
In the next five years, would you like to...

9. 0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
All Duties You Are Responsible For

11. 0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
80000
90000
100000
AD ASD DIR EXD SAD
Higher Education Average Salary in US $

12. less than 48 hours
20%
48-72 hours
34%
a week
30%
more than
a week
10%
more than
two weeks
6%
What is the average turnaround time for acknowledgments at your
organization?

13. Monthly
6%
Quarterly
25%
Yearly
38%
Other
21%
Few Years
2%
Can't Remember
2%
Custom
6%
How often is the acknowledgment template letter refreshed at your
organization?

14. Yes, in print
50%
Yes, in print and
digitally
13%
Yes, digitally only
2%
No
35%
Do your donors receive annual narrative reports on their funds?

15. Yes, in print
66%
Yes, in print and
digitally
13%
Yes, digitally only
2%
No
19%
Do your donors receive annual financial reports/stewardship on their
funds?

16. Yes, in print
25%
Yes, in print and
digitally
40%
Yes, digitally only
10%
No
25%
Does your organization produce an annual report?

17. 25 or less
48%
26-50
20%
50-99
13%
100+
19%
If your organization has custom/individual stewardship plans, how many
donors are included?

19. 0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
90.0%
100.0%
Annual Giving Planned Giving Cumulative Lifetime
Giving
Consecutive Giving
Organization has the following gift society/club types:

20. Yes
35%
No
65%
Does your organization have a comprehensive catalogue or listing of all
named spaces?

21. 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Do You Have a Donor Wall?

22. Yes
51%
No
49%
Are you involved in the gift agreement/MOU process at your
organization?

23. 0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Draft Review Draft and
Administer
Consult Manage process
How Are You Involved With Gift Agreements?

24. Yes
79%
No
21%
Do you have standardized gift agreements/MOUs for donors?

25. 0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
90.0%
100.0%
What types of events are you responsible for at your organization?

26. 1-5
56%
6-10
21%
11-20
13%
21-40
6%
40-60
2%
60+
2%
How many events do you have under your responsibility every year at your
organization?

27. Yes
45%
No
55%
Does your organization have a comprehensive or strategic plan for donor
relations?

28. Yes, formal
18%
Yes, informal
10%
No, only with
reports or special
projects
17%
No
55%
Have you conducted a formal or informal donor survey?

29. Do you have a
metrics program
for donor
relations?
0%
Yes, a
strong one
3%
Yes, somewhat
30%
No
62%
In progress
5%
Do you have a metrics program for donor relations?

30. Thank You!
• Lynne Wester
• lynne@donorrelationsguru.com
• www.donorrelationsguru.com
• Friend me on Facebook
• Follow me on Twitter @donorguru