In 2008, total charitable giving reached $307.65 billion, primarily from individuals, with religious organizations receiving the most support. Effective fundraising relies on building relationships and connections rather than just organizing events, emphasizing donor engagement, stewardship, and retention. Key strategies include cultivating emotional ties, maintaining communication with donors, and utilizing various platforms for fundraising initiatives.

1. Fundraising, Donor Relations
and Connections
Four Fundraising Steps
6.9.10

2. Statistics
• Total giving to charitable organizations was
$307.65 billion in 2008.
• As in previous years, the majority of that giving
came from individuals -$229.3 billion (75%).
• Giving by bequest was $22.6 billion, foundations
gave $41.2 billion, & corporations donated $14.5
billion.
• Religious organizations received the most support-
$106.9 billion. The next largest sector was
education with $40.9 billion.
All data property of Giving USA 2008, the Annual Report on
Philanthropy, published by the AAFRC Trust for Philanthropy.

3. Individual Statistics
• 89% of households give
• Average annual contribution $1,620
• Electronic gifts up 50%. Highest giving months June and December
with December quadrupling compared to prior months.
• 86% of individuals said they are most motivated to give by the notion
of "meeting critical needs"
• 83% of individuals said "giving back to society" is motivational
• 80% of individuals said they are most likely to make contributions to
educational organizations, with religious (72%) and health
organizations (70%) following in popularity.

5. Donor Relations +
Connection = Fundraising
• Rethink Fundraising
• Not about the event
• More about relationships
• More about the connection to the cause

6. Ripples in the Water
Community
Members
Employees
Board
Cause

7. Step 1: Cultivation
• Be Strategic
• Research
• Reach Out
• Build Relationship

8. Step 2: Connection
• Emotional Connection
• Engagement
• Face to Cause
• Key Messaging

9. Step 3: Stewardship
• Prompt Thank You
• Let Donor Know Where Their
Money Went And How They
Helped
• Monthly Touches
• Stewardship calendar

10. Step 4: Retention
• Create Awareness
• Personally Connect to
Cause
• Grow Loyalty

11. Creating A Virtuous Cycle

12. Event Fundraising Rules
• Want greatest return on investment
• Not too time intensive
• Donors are savvy and want more money to go to cause
• Keep expenses down

13. Fundraising Ideas
• Cultivation Event
• Board and employees
• Include members
• Scrip Program: www.scrip.com
• Paper Graduation Cap Sale
• Web/Social Media
• Good Search/Good Shop
• Chipin
• Facebook
• Include Community
• Cause Marketing
• Partner with Schools

14. Successful Fundraising
• Rethink Fundraising
• Build Relationships
• Create Connections
• Engage Community