Will the Economy Impact Fundraising?

I just got back from the AFP International Conference in San Diego. It was a lot of fun. Many friends, 3 presentations and a book signing too.

A frequent question at my presentations was the impact of the current recession on fundraising. Yes, there is a recession. I've checked with several of my investor type friends who said this is absolutely real.

I've been through several before and survived. We'll survive this one. Will it be tough? You bet. the mortgage and credit crisis is very serious.

Will people still give? Yes. As one donor told me: "The people you want to give to this capital campaign is mostly insulated from the recession. The money is still there. And, I will probably give $100,000."

Giving U.S.A. data over history shows giving going up continuously over the last 40 years. Giving will flatten out during a recession and then resume afterward.

Work smarter and harder now. Be selective in your major gift fundraising and capital campaign fundraising. Ask donors how the economy is treating them. Someone in the home real estate market will clearly be in trouble right now. I asked a commercial real estate broker how he was doing and he said that so far fine. The problems were being kept to the residential marketplace. If you're in the oil business, times have never been better. I talked to an apple grower recently who said the last two years have been great.

So don't let the economic news stop you. Just listen more carefully to donors' perceptions of their wealth. Good luck.

Tom Wilson
Author, Winning Gifts