Fix Your Mindset with This Data

Fundraisers are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. True or False?

Personally, I think it’s true. 

Once we latch on to a worthy cause, we will do anything and everything within our power to help it succeed—with a smile, of course!

But one thing we lack… confidence.

Unfortunately, confidence isn’t always reality-based or proportional to the circumstances. Like so many other roadblocks to fundraising success, it’s a mindset problem!   

😅 We assume no one could possibly regard the cause as deeply as we do. As a consequence, our asks are loaded with apologies and tinged with guilt. Not a good look for us, Honey! 

😅 Or, we waste our time chasing corporate contributions (because they’re less personal) and microdonations (because they require a smaller commitment).

😅 And while we flounder, our “worthy cause” wobbles along on one squeaky wheel getting just enough oil to keep it from falling over entirely.  

What would happen if we believed that… 

the right people inherently enjoy giving,

have a record of making significant contributions,

and those elusive, gigantic individual contributions are actually fairly common?

The result would be confident fundraising with a HUGE impact on your bottom line. 

Well, I’m here to tell you that what you may believe about the philanthropic landscape in 2023 isn’t necessarily rooted in reality. 

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I recently had Dr. Una Osili, Director of Research at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, on the → Nonprofit Lowdown Podcast ← to talk about global giving data, and
I want to share a few of my takeaways with a little game of true or false.  

👍 / 👎 True or False: People aren’t giving right now because of the state of the economy. 

PARTLY FALSE. The data shows fewer households are giving, but others are picking up the slack with consistent and bigger donations. The majority of donations come from individuals and mega-donors (who give $500,000,000 and above).

👍 / 👎 True or False: Donors of color give significantly less than other demographics?

FALSE. The data shows donors of color are very committed and just as likely to give as other demographics when you control for income, wealth, and education. There are zero statistical differences related to race. 

👍 / 👎 True or False: Out of all American institutions, people trust nonprofits the most.

TRUE. The people’s trust in local governments, state governments, federal governments, and even the Supreme Court have declined, but nonprofits are unique because they help to rebuild a shared sense of commitment – a major building block of community.

There’s so much more data to boost your confidence, but you’ll have to tune in to the Nonprofit Lowdown to hear the full episode with Dr. Una Osili right here 👉🎤: Episode 250: Philanthropy by the Numbers!