The Golden Age of Philanthropy?
It would be hard to argue that the 1870’s to the 1890’s were not the golden age of philanthropy in America. In a little over two decades, the number of millionaires in the United States grew from 100 to 4,047. Mega gifts from philanthropists like Andrew Carnegie, Ezra Cornell, Johns Hopkins, John Rockefeller, and JaneRead More The Golden Age of Philanthropy?
Instagram for Nonprofit Marketing
Humans are predominately visual creatures. From birth, we are hard-wired to be attracted to the most visually-stimulating images in front of us, and it is no different as we grow older. When given the choice, would you read a book filled with colorful and engaging pictures, or page after page of black and white monochromaticRead More Instagram for Nonprofit Marketing
The State of the Arts
“The art of making art – is putting it together, bit by bit.” – Sunday in the Park with George The recently released results of the National Endowment for the Arts’ 2012 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts will confirm something many of us already know – engaging in the arts is simultaneously aRead More The State of the Arts
A Look At The Nonprofit Research Collaborative
Answered questions. What if…you could find out which fundraising methods were working in organizations like yours? Are events up or down? What about direct mail? Should you invest in more proposals to corporations or invest in web site development? These are real questions affecting nonprofit organizations of all types in the U.S. and Canada daily.Read More A Look At The Nonprofit Research Collaborative
2013 Donor Trends
“You know, Jerry, I’ve decided to focus my philanthropic dollars on fewer organizations going forward. I’d prefer giving a larger amount to support two or three organizations rather than giving smaller amounts to numerous groups.” Essentially that was the verbatim comment one organization’s major donor told me recently as I conducted a Campaign Strategy StudyRead More 2013 Donor Trends
The Future of Nonprofits: Reaching Younger Donors
A client told me recently that I am very intuitive, and asked if I was good at “reading tea leaves,” too. As someone who uses tea bags, and not loose tea leaves, I told her that may be difficult for me! The concept stuck with me though, and came up again while I was reviewingRead More The Future of Nonprofits: Reaching Younger Donors
In Generational Giving, Do Not Discount the Boomers
Ok, I admit it. I’m guilty. If you’re like me, you’re caught up in all of the hype concerning how we as fundraisers try to link our organizations more closely to the Gen X and Gen Y folks. I enjoy technology and new “toys,” so I’m intrigued with all the ways technology is enhancing charitableRead More In Generational Giving, Do Not Discount the Boomers
Global Giving
Philanthropy to global causes has grown faster than any other non-profit sector. If you immediately think of natural disasters as the reason for this increase, you are partly correct. The 2004 Asian Tsunami and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti were experienced and witnessed all over the world. Technology has collapsed the distances of world events into ourRead More Global Giving
Corporate Giving Today
A successful fundraising plan should contain strategies for all areas of giving. In recent years, corporate giving has become more prominent, and nonprofits can reap the benefits of a growing corporate philanthropic culture. It definitely is an important area that can’t be overlooked. Companies now have larger budgets for philanthropy than in the past, andRead More Corporate Giving Today
Donor Cultivation Practices: To Fish or Farm?
By Jerry Henry Although I’ve spent a majority of my adult life in small cities and large metropolitan areas, I was born and raised on a small family farm in rural South Carolina. My roots are deep in crop farming – I was even a member of the Future Farmers of American in junior highRead More Donor Cultivation Practices: To Fish or Farm?