Then And Now

 

Movement is the natural state of things.  Change is constant, unavoidable, and incredibly reliable.  This truth isn’t lost on Annual Giving, a field that has changed considerably over the past several decades.  Indeed, Annual Giving isn’t what it used to be.

Annual Giving then was a great place to get your start in development.  It was small gifts, direct mail, and volunteer call nights.  It wasn’t part of “the campaign.”  It was somehow less in important.

Annual Giving now is something different.  It’s something much bigger, much more complex and much more important.  It’s online, data driven, and a career unto itself.  Annual Giving isn’t simply a part most campaigns today, it’s the single most important part of every organization’s next campaign.

No, Annual Giving isn’t what it used to be.  It’s much, much better.

Most Programs Up

According to a January 2012 poll by The Annual Giving Network, annual giving is up at most organizations.  54% of the participating organizations claimed to be tracking ahead of the same time period last year, while 33% of the organizations claimed to be tracking behind.  13% are recording no change at all over last year.

Having recently closed the books on the holiday giving season (a time when most individuals make their charitable donations), the poll suggests some reason for optimism for many organizations amid a still uncertain economy.

7 Principles

1. People want to be sought.

2. It feels good to be associated with a winner.

3. Goals and deadlines are motivating.

4. The right solicitor isn’t usually you.

5. It’s not the first gift, but the second, that matters most.

6. Most of your money will come from a few of your donors.

7. People give because they’re asked.

A Culture of Philanthropy

Please join Dean Hughes (Executive Director of Annual & Leadership Giving at The University of Toronto) and me at at the 2012 CASE District 1 & 2 Conference in New York City for a 75 minute discussion on how and why annual giving programs play a central role in building a culture of philanthropy at educational and other non-profit organizations. 

While new media, information technology and a changing economy have created many challenges for annual giving program managers, they also provide new lenses through which we can view the industry.  Using data and examples, this session will examine the ever-changing field of annual giving and the increasingly important role that it plays in developing a community and culture where alumni, students, faculty, and staff understand and appreciate the importance of giving every year.

This session will take place on Monday, January 23rd from 11am – 12:15pm.  Click here for more detail and registration information.

We look forward to seeing you!