More Charitable Anonymous Giving

More Charitable Anonymous Giving

by Tom Wilson Major Gifts Guru

An earlier article on this website noted on the increased tendency for anonymous giving. A lead example is the donor who recently donated nearly $70 million to women-led higher education institutions.

In a recent article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy (5/7/09) Ben Gose noted that over the past decade anonymous giving has ranged around 5% but has increased since June 2008 to nearly 19%. Gose noted:

"Numerous studies conducted by the Indiana Center on Philanthropy over the past 20 years have shown that an aversion to solicitations from other charities, and a desire to keep a gift secret from family or friends are the two most popular reasons for giving anonymously."

So, for us major gift officers, as you negotitate big gifts for your institution, ask the donor if visibility right now makes them uncomfortable in any way. You still want to publicize a big gift to serve as a role model to others, but the donor may wish to keep quiet.

I have had several donors ask that they be publicly anonymous but if we need to mention their name and gift on a solicitation call to motivate another donor we can do so.

Permanent Link: More Charitable Anonymous Giving

http://majorgiftsguru.com/2009/05/more-charitable-anonymous-giving.html