Giving in Oregon Survey: 2009 Mid-Year Update

Recently released, the Oregon Community Foundation’s “Giving in Oregon Survey: 2009 Mid-Year Update” offers an interesting and important glimpse into the mindset and perception of the current economic and charitable giving climates and the collective impact on nonprofit organizations serving Oregon. Completed in August and September, 2009, by 134 nonprofits (all OCF grantees), the survey reflects a reasonable breadth of responses to questions about the impact of the economic climate on charitable giving in Oregon in 2009.

Overall, the responses indicate a guarded optimism with regard to the charitable giving taking place in Oregon. A surprising 59 percent of respondents indicated that the climate for charitable giving in Oregon today is “fair.” A nearly equally surprising 13 percent of respondents deemed the climate in Oregon as “good.” It seems that professionals in Oregon’s nonprofit sector are optimistic about the sustainability and potential for growth of charitable giving in the state.

Anecdotal comments shared in the mid-year update also indicate recognition of the importance and potential impact of continuing to communicate with current and potential donors since organizations may need to acquire, nurture, and retain more donors giving smaller donations.

While many types of organizations are highlighted, the survey does not separate healthcare organizations into a separate category. In speaking with Katie Shriver, research officer, at the Oregon Community Foundation, I learned that respondents were selected from all of OCF’s granting areas and that responses from healthcare organizations were included in the Social Services portion of the survey.

The findings of this survey should prove useful to organizations looking to planning for sustainability and growth in the 2010 calendar year. To access the update in its entirety, visit http://www.oregoncf.org/Templates/media/files/giving_report_nov09.pdf

Washington Children's Hospital to Receive $150-Million From United Arab Emirates

Here's a link to an article I commented on Wednesday, 9/16/09:



http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/9515/washingon-childrens-hospital-to-receive-150-million-from-united-arab-emirates



(My comment is No. 3 after the end of the article. )



Washington Children's Hospital to Receive $150-Million From United Arab Emirates
By Holly Hall


The Children’s National Medical Center, in Washington, plans to announce Wednesday that it has received $150-million from the United Arab Emirates.


The donation, one of the biggest a charity in the United States has received from a foreign source, comes at a time when most wealthy American donors are pulling back. Only two other gifts of $100-million or more have been made so far this year, compared with 21 gifts of that size last year. Such sluggish giving is a key reason why a growing number of American charities are seeking money overseas.

July 23, 2009 Kent Dove - A Blueprint for Fundraising Success in Any Economy

I joined an audience of AFP members and non-members for Kent Dove's recent webinar, "A Blueprint for Fundraising Success in Any Economy: Creating a Sustainable, Comprehensive
Development Model." Dove offers an amazing array of insights based on many years of successful higher education fundraising. Here are a few nuggets of knowledge for you to integrate into your planning:

1. Focus on assessing the needs, choosing the right methods for raising funds, and the best process for evaluating effectiveness


2. Volunteers are integral to a successful program. When engaging volunteers in fundraising, dedicate adequate resources and guidance to help them be successful.


3. Focus your annual fund development on acquiring new donors, getting donors to repeat, and upgrading current donors.


4. Above all, keep stewardship top of mind when creating your strategy.

While I found great value and nuggets in the presentation, I felt it would have been helpful to have more acknowledgement of the current recession and suggestions for countering its effects.


Dove's authored many books including, Conducting a Successful Fundraising Program, which has proven useful to me in working with organizations and budgets of all sizes. The book has a place of honor in my office. This book is included on the reading list for the CFRE exam.


I'm not suggesting, "Fundraising by the Book," but rather to utilize the best tools to develop a comprehensive strategy that will help your organization reach its potential.