Donor Motivation, Fundraising and Philanthropy

How to Uncover Donors’ Motivations To Better Align Organization Mission and Individual Philanthropy

NonProfit PRO

OCTOBER 14, 2021

Donors are fascinating, unique individuals who consider multiple motivations when deciding how, when and why to be charitable. It is no longer enough to say, “Our donors give because they care about our mission.” It's important to uncover donors’ motivations.

Donor Motivation

Donor Motivation Philanthropy Education Education

The Power of Heroic Philanthropy: Understanding Donor Motivations

iMarketSmart

JUNE 12, 2023

Now, it’s time to get back to the “one big thing” in fundraising: Advance the donor’s hero story. It’s an extreme form of philanthropy. Heroic philanthropy A hero displays sacrificial protection.[5] 5] A heroic donation is this: a sacrificial gift that protects the donor’s people or values in a crisis.

Donor Motivation

Donor Motivation Philanthropy Insurance Altruism and Helping

Dollars and Change: What 8 years of giving data mean for fundraisers

Candid

OCTOBER 1, 2024

As nonprofit fundraisers navigate the ever-evolving world of philanthropy, keeping up with donor trends is crucial. Here’s a look at select key findings fundraisers should consider when planning their strategies. Here’s a look at select key findings fundraisers should consider when planning their strategies.

Fundraising

Fundraising Fundraising Health Donor Motivation

Developing a Modern Public Relations Strategy

Nonprofit Marketing Guide

MARCH 17, 2015

To refine your approach, spend some time understanding your nonprofit’s larger goals — whether it’s to reach more wealthy donors, motivate people to take action on an important policy, or to drive more young people to raise money on your behalf. As a result, they aren’t really speaking directly to anyone. What’s the alternative?

Public and Social Policy

Public and Social Policy Public and Nonprofit Management Health Donor Motivation

Understanding the Psychology of Why Donors Give to Nonprofits

Nonprofit Tech for Good

AUGUST 14, 2022

When time and resources are scarce, it’s easier to send out the same fundraising message to everyone in your community. On the other end of the spectrum, there are nonprofit leaders who neglect philanthropy psychology. In summary, the researchers found that donors give for different reasons.

Psychology

Psychology Donor Motivation Philanthropy Nonprofits

The Faces of Philanthropy: Are They Changing?

iMarketSmart

OCTOBER 1, 2022

The list below was an attempt by Forbes Magazine to capture the “faces of philanthropy” way back in 1994. For someone who was practicing then, it seems largely true though a bit simplistic about donors’ motivations and the labels applied to them. Are these still the faces of philanthropy? The Seven Faces of Philanthropy.

Philanthropy

Philanthropy Psychology Donor Motivation Culture

Using Research to Raise More Money

Nonprofit Marketing Guide

OCTOBER 12, 2022

When it comes to fundraising, we often strive to use storytelling and tugging of heartstrings to appeal to potential donors. Research conducted on effective marketing tactics and donor psychology are extremely beneficial to crafting communications that engage donors. But there is a science behind doing this well.

Voluntary Action

Voluntary Action Public and Nonprofit Management Universities Psychology

Acquisition: Premiums, Crack Cocaine And Nonprofit Suicide

The Agitator

FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Almost every direct response fundraiser who can count eventually comes to the realization that reliance on premiums to boost short-term acquisition response rates is a long-term prescription for poor retention and lousy lifetime value. A post I consider ‘must’ reading for any fundraiser using or contemplating the use of premiums.

Retention

Retention Donor Motivation Values Philanthropy

Thinking About Donors as Customers

Bloomerang

MAY 4, 2023

Donor Cultivation. Are your donors also your customers? Like philanthropy, customer service is uniquely American. Innovative fundraising researcher Adrian Sargeant, co-director of the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy, says, “Nonprofits are a means to an end for the donor. Customer Service.

Public and Nonprofit Management

Public and Nonprofit Management Public Policy Psychology Philanthropy

The Top 4 Motivations for Giving and the Peril of Ignoring, Misinterpreting or Underestimating Them

iMarketSmart

OCTOBER 4, 2024

How many organizations take the time to listen to current and potential donors to discover who or what about their organization or their communication speaks most compellingly to them without realizing there are significant variations in each donor and prospect community? Jim Langley is the president of Langley Innovations.

Donor Motivation

Donor Motivation Psychology Energy Philanthropy

Tracking Performance: 6 Fundraising Data Points You Need

Fundraising Coach

MARCH 15, 2021

Most fundraising professionals know that having good information is the secret to increased revenue, stronger relationships, and more successful appeals. By analyzing the donor data you have available, you can learn volumes about donor motivation and behavior, then use this information to guide your fundraising approach.

Fundraising

Fundraising Fundraising Retention Technology

5 Fundraising Ideas to Support Your Volunteer Program

Get Fully Funded

JANUARY 7, 2022

Volunteer programs often require fundraising campaigns to stay in operation. Depending on your organization’s activities, you may need fundraising to help fund your: Volunteer training opportunities. Start a merchandise fundraising campaign. Let’s take a closer look at each fundraising idea! Marketing materials.

Fundraising

Fundraising Fundraising Volunteerism Volunteerism

Are we playing God? Economists continue to investigate motivations of donors

Fundraising Coach

JANUARY 21, 2009

The Chronicle of Philanthropy pointed to a report by The Economist on research showing that public recognition may motivate donors to give bigger gifts. I’m a purist and would love to believe that donors give altruistically. But even I check donor lists to see where my name lines up with people I know.

Sociology

Sociology Donor Motivation Universities Philanthropy

The Psychology Behind Giving: Motivating Members to Become Donors

Bloomerang

JUNE 6, 2024

Understanding what flips the switch for your members to transform them from participants to passionate donors is the key to boosting your fundraising efforts. So, a well-placed thank you or a shout-out can make all the difference in converting members to repeat donors. Social proof is a formidable force in philanthropy.

Psychology

Psychology Participation and motivation Retention Technology

[Guest Post] The Diagram of Ethical Storytelling Excellence

Fundraising Coach

MARCH 21, 2023

Caliopy is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Philanthropy Without Borders, a firm with expertise in ethical storytelling, donor engagement, and strategic planning. The story is that the fundraising staff and program staff just can’t see eye-to-eye. This article was originally published on her blog.

Ethics

Ethics Philanthropy Donor Motivation Recruitment

12 Keys to Conducting Effective Donor Interviews

iMarketSmart

APRIL 29, 2022

Curiosity is a fundraisers greatest asset. Yet even the most curious must learn to ask questions that yield the most insight into donor motivation and to link those propensities to institutional mission. Related Resources: Webinar: 4-Step Process for “Reimagining Fundraising Operations”. LIKE THIS BLOG POST?

Psychology

Psychology Donor Motivation Philanthropy Culture

Tracking Performance: 6 Fundraising Data Points You Need

Fundraising Coach

MARCH 15, 2021

Most fundraising professionals know that having good information is the secret to increased revenue, stronger relationships, and more successful appeals. By analyzing the donor data you have available, you can learn volumes about donor motivation and behavior, then use this information to guide your fundraising approach.

Fundraising

Fundraising Fundraising Retention Technology

Donor Appreciation: Creating a Strategy (And 22+ Ideas!)

Bloomerang

MAY 9, 2021

Our team has studied the effectiveness of retaining donors rather than acquiring new ones, and that research guides our entire approach. Retention is the key to maximizing your fundraising strategy, and appreciation is at the root of that strategy. Ideas for Major Donors. Why Does Donor Appreciation Matter? .

Retention

Retention Activism Fundraising Fundraising

Donor Appreciation: Creating a Strategy (And 22+ Ideas!)

Bloomerang

MAY 9, 2021

Our team has studied the effectiveness of retaining donors rather than acquiring new ones, and that research guides our entire approach. Retention is the key to maximizing your fundraising strategy, and appreciation is at the root of that strategy. Ideas for Major Donors. Why Does Donor Appreciation Matter? .

Retention

Retention Activism Fundraising Fundraising

Why AI and Machine Learning Fail to Help Fundraisers Build ‘QUALIFIED’ Major Donor Portfolios (or Caseloads)

iMarketSmart

JANUARY 10, 2024

It cannot understand the role another person played in the journey of a supporter to become a donor to your nonprofit. These are the foundations of donor motivation. Plus, when it comes to major donors, usually the sample sizes of quantitative data are too small to draw valid statistical conclusions. What About ChatGPT?

Participation and motivation

Participation and motivation Fundraising Fundraising Values

How to develop a ‘character’ in your fundraising stories in 3 steps — according to Dr. Russell James

iMarketSmart

MARCH 20, 2022

At the heart of philanthropy is story. Without a relatable character, the fundraising story is dead. To be relatable, the donor must identify with the character. The donor must see things from the character’s perspective. The donor must have empathy for the character’s situation. Fundraising story character.

Organizational Behavior

Organizational Behavior Children Fundraising Fundraising

Agitator Cliff Notes: “Hacking Marketing”

The Agitator

MAY 23, 2018

This time, I’m going with a non-fundraising book: Hacking Marketing by Scott Brinker of Chief Marketing Technologist fame. From my dog-eared pages: What is the template for the donor story? Last week, I talked about the jobs-to-be-done framework to look at donor motivation. And are you doing it for them?

Marketing

Marketing Marketing Participation and motivation Donor Motivation

4 Tips to Find the Right Audience for Your Nonprofit’s Event

Nonprofit Megaphone

DECEMBER 4, 2021

Post written by OneCause , who is committed to helping cause-driven organizations amplify their message and raise more funds with easy-to-use fundraising solutions. They offer a full suite of solutions that powers online giving, event management, mobile bidding, and peer-to-peer fundraising for nonprofit organizations of all sizes.

Participation and motivation

Participation and motivation Donor Motivation Recruitment Fundraising

Donor Identity Questions – Teasing Out Values, Beliefs, and Motivations

iMarketSmart

JANUARY 25, 2023

The biggest gifts, the most transformational gifts – these happen when a donor can see and feel how giving will advance their personal hero story. Thus, as a fundraiser, part of your job when interacting with a major donor prospect is to help the donor explore and understand their identity.

Values

Values Fundraising Fundraising Universities

Dr. James explains how to harness friendship reciprocity to unlock heroic donations

iMarketSmart

JUNE 19, 2023

The fundraising game A charity can structure giving opportunities to allow heroic displays.[6] 6] A donor can be seen to sacrificially protect his people or values. Of course, these evolutionary theorists weren’t writing about major gifts fundraising. A simple example One fundraiser for a law school shared this story. “I

Altruism and Helping

Altruism and Helping Insurance Psychology Law

Stop complaining because your success is up to you

iMarketSmart

JULY 20, 2016

Recommendations: >> Fundraiser: Your job is hope. >> Jim Thorpe won two gold medals wearing those shoes. So the next time you think you got handed a raw deal, think again, power through it, improvise and never give up. Your success is up to you! Special Offer: LIKE THIS BLOG POST?

Fundraising

Fundraising Fundraising Donor Motivation Philanthropy

How to build deeper connections with your donors using surveys

iMarketSmart

APRIL 10, 2023

Socratic fundraising asks questions. Or donors don’t want to meet. Or there are too many donors to meet. Socratic fundraising can still work. The universal steps for a compelling donor experience are: Socratic fundraising guides the donor through these steps.[1] The donor can take ownership.

Psychology

Psychology Public and Social Policy Environmental Participation and motivation

Do you know the names of your donor’s influencers?

iMarketSmart

APRIL 3, 2017

Your job as a facilitator (fundraiser) is to recognize that each supporter’s reason for giving is as unique as his or her fingerprints. Learning about their stories will help you understand why they care and what might motivate them to give. That would do the trick for sure! So other charities took their place. Don’t let it end.

Technology

Technology Donor Motivation Communication Fundraising

[ASK AN EXPERT] How Important Is It To Promptly Acknowledge Receipt Of A Supporter’s Input?

Bloomerang

DECEMBER 20, 2024

CFRE, our very own Fundraising Coach , also known as Charity Clairity. The most successful charities tap into donor motivations for giving , of which there are many. We know this from researchers like Penelope Burk (author of Donor-Centered Fundraising ), who found in study after study across the U.S.

Philanthropy

Philanthropy Leadership Donor Motivation Culture

Why fundraisers feel stuck in the middle between Administrators and Donors

iMarketSmart

OCTOBER 3, 2022

The effective fundraiser is the donor’s guiding sage. She advances the donor’s hero story. In fundraising, this character is powerful and effective. The problem is not with the fundraiser, the donor, or even the public. Fundraising isn’t advancing the donor’s hero story. But there’s a problem.

Public and Nonprofit Management

Public and Nonprofit Management Fundraising Fundraising Foundations

Nonprofit Leadership Zone

How to Uncover Donors’ Motivations To Better Align Organization Mission and Individual Philanthropy

The Power of Heroic Philanthropy: Understanding Donor Motivations

Trending Sources

Dollars and Change: What 8 years of giving data mean for fundraisers

Developing a Modern Public Relations Strategy

Understanding the Psychology of Why Donors Give to Nonprofits

The Faces of Philanthropy: Are They Changing?

Using Research to Raise More Money

Acquisition: Premiums, Crack Cocaine And Nonprofit Suicide

Thinking About Donors as Customers

The Top 4 Motivations for Giving and the Peril of Ignoring, Misinterpreting or Underestimating Them

Tracking Performance: 6 Fundraising Data Points You Need

5 Fundraising Ideas to Support Your Volunteer Program

Are we playing God? Economists continue to investigate motivations of donors

The Psychology Behind Giving: Motivating Members to Become Donors

[Guest Post] The Diagram of Ethical Storytelling Excellence

12 Keys to Conducting Effective Donor Interviews

Tracking Performance: 6 Fundraising Data Points You Need

Donor Appreciation: Creating a Strategy (And 22+ Ideas!)

Donor Appreciation: Creating a Strategy (And 22+ Ideas!)

Why AI and Machine Learning Fail to Help Fundraisers Build ‘QUALIFIED’ Major Donor Portfolios (or Caseloads)

How to develop a ‘character’ in your fundraising stories in 3 steps — according to Dr. Russell James

Agitator Cliff Notes: “Hacking Marketing”

4 Tips to Find the Right Audience for Your Nonprofit’s Event

Donor Identity Questions – Teasing Out Values, Beliefs, and Motivations

Dr. James explains how to harness friendship reciprocity to unlock heroic donations

Stop complaining because your success is up to you

How to build deeper connections with your donors using surveys

Do you know the names of your donor’s influencers?

[ASK AN EXPERT] How Important Is It To Promptly Acknowledge Receipt Of A Supporter’s Input?

Why fundraisers feel stuck in the middle between Administrators and Donors

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