About Giving Speaks

I am a stewardship and certified fundraising professional, with a lifespan faith development background. I am a seasoned speaker and workshop leader focusing on topics of generosity, giving, fundraising, stewardship, and leadership.

Social Networking and Online Giving

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Giving Speaks

Welcome to the social revolution. The world is catapulting towards more connectedness, more interactivity and more community. Change is occurring at exponential speeds we can barely keep pace with. Life it or not, “social”–the instant sharing of content using online technologies— is the new norm, and social media and social technology are the platforms and tools we must embrace if we are to thrive in this new reality.

~Wealth Engine white paper 2012*

Our social networks are expansive, growing wider in scope and density with each click of the mouse and touch of the keyboard. Most people visit an organization’s website before they ever enter the door or attend an event or meeting. Increasingly, donors are comfortable giving online and expect to have that option available for their charitable giving.

Social networks are a dynamic means of communication and being virtually connected with people around the world. Popular social networks and media include: Facebook,Twitter, blogs and microblogs, content curation, geolocation, online communities, and media sharing.

Technological developments are happening quickly, and nonprofit, religious and charitable organizations must be alert to the new trends if they want to be perceived as current and relevant. For example, it is more important than ever for organizations to invest in making their website content adaptable for mobile technology.

Many nonprofit, religious, and charitable organizations have joined the movement, finding the new social media options easy and inexpensive to set up and use for communicating with their existing and prospective constituents. Most social media offer tools for measuring Myriad opportunities and benefits are present for organization actively using social media for networking:

As good as social networking sounds, it is vital that the organization begin at a manageable level for the staff or volunteers involved.

The development of the networks can be tracked with the specialized features that measure and track activity.

Communicating and networking via social media takes time, forethought, and planning for the organization to maximize the benefits. It is worthwhile for leaders to discuss the use of social media, seeking input from other staff, volunteers, and constituents. There must be commitment on the part of organizational leaders. Policies for engaging and training staff to effectively use social media to advance the organization and advance its mission in the world.

Social networking offers an expansive and exciting landscape of opportunity. Most professional fundraisers report using Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, and other social networking venues to learn more about donors and their charitable and political giving patterns. Online surveys provide a means for interacting and inviting valuable feedback. Tracking social networking sites enables organizations to observe behaviors and trends in new and different ways.

Crowd-sourcing and Cause-related Marketing are becoming increasingly popular and are a creative means of promoting individual causes and advancing the missions of organizations. Millions of dollars are raised each year through social media and online giving, whether it be through project funding, online contests, or auctions.

The possibilities are seemingly endless!

Online Fundraising Venues:

Bidding for Good is an online auction site for charitable organizations.

Faithify is a crowdfunding site where passionate people follow, share and fund Unitarian Universalist ministries. This is a fabulous opportunity for UUs to support and enlist support for great projects that extend our principles and values in the world.

Crowdrise is about giving back, raising lots of money for great causes and having the most fun in the world while doing–Crowrise is the world’s #1 fundraising site for medical bills, volunteer trips, and over 1.5. million charities and causes.

HopeMob‘s vision is to “become the largest, most active, effective, innovative community of generosity in the world.”

Network for Good envisions a “world where generosity is unleashed, with compelling opportunities to give back at every person’s fingertips.” The site offers organizations and individuals opportunities to give to charitable causes from its website and a wide array of partner sites.

Research and Information about Online Giving:

About.com. Cause-Related Marketing: What You Need to Know

Charity Navigator. Top 10 Best Practices of Savvy Donors

Mansfield, Heather. Mobile for Good (A How-to Fundraising Guide for Nonprofits). 2014. McGraw-Hill Education. Nonprofit Tech for Good

*Wealth Engine. Trends in Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations white paper. 2012. Fundraising’s Social Revolution: How Social Media is Changing Nonprofit Culture and Practice.

Calling All Generations–ready, set, GIVE!

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Giving Speaks

With each new generation coming into adulthood, cultures and patterns change. A recent Giving Speaks post Religion in the Age of the Nones (http://wp.me/p1xUUk-ms ) dealt with the significant changes and trends of decreased religious affiliation among younger adults. Just as important for religious and philanthropic organizations is to understand the differences among the generations when it comes to designing giving programs and fundraising appeals. One size does not fit all!

In America there is an unprecedented transference of $40 Trillion in wealth occurring between the aging Mature and Baby Boomer generations and their children. It is essential that those who are raising funds to support charitable and religious organizations understand the varying approaches required in working with their donors in each generational cohort. Those in the Baby Boomer generation (born between 1942 and 1960) and the Mature Generation (born prior to 1945) were motivated to give for different reasons than young adults born after 1960. The elder givers are motivated to give to help meet the needs not met by governmental programs. They support religious and community organizations and are most comfortable responding to mail appeals and face-to-face requests. Baby Boomers are hearty supporters of secular causes. They give to religion, but at lower levels than their elders.

Trends and emerging giving patterns of younger adult donors are being studied, with particular attention being paid to the relatively small group receiving the largest share of the wealth and building their own net worth. These “Next Gen Donors” will be the philanthropists of the future and the major donors in America for several decades to come. It behooves all charitable, religious and philanthropic organizations to learn more what makes these younger, higher net worth donor prospects tick.

Philanthropic research over the past five years tells us is that Next Gen Donors (between the ages of 21 and 48) are generous people. These individuals want to know their contributions go to causes that matter most to them and move them emotionally. They take a “hands on” approach to their involvement with recipient organizations, because they want to know their charitable dollars are making the world a better place. Often this involves younger adults volunteering their time and talent as well as their money.

Among those in Net Gen Donors group, most of their charitable giving goes to secular causes, with less than half going to religion. This means that religious organizations must polish their stewardship strategies and employ current fundraising best practices, being much more proactive in their donor relationships. Next Gen Donors prefer online giving and are more comfortable with solicitation through social networking media channels. Their total annual charitable giving among younger adult donors ranges from $1,300 to $2,000 on average, and the levels most likely will increase over their lifetimes.

Stewardship strategies and fundraising practices must be adapted to meet the challenges of greater competition for charitable dollars. Generation and technological trends must be taken into consideration when planning cultivation techniques and messaging for appeals.

Here are some generational characteristics and recommended fundraising approaches:

Younger Adults (born mid-1980’s to present)

Think “multichannel” communication—mail appeals (hard copy), electronic appeals (email, e-newsletters), and online giving options (websites) are the top three channels for charitable giving.
Check-out donations—grocery stores, coffee shops, and businesses offering charitable giving opportunities with purchases.
Social media appeals from charitable organizations and religious communities with whom they have a relationship—ask your young volunteers and visitors for their contact information!
Peer-to-peer social, networking, and fundraising events—younger donor prospects like events that bring committed people together around causes and organizations of interest.
Encourage volunteer involvement and other ways of engaging in hands-on service and making a real difference in their communities.
Appeals that include information about the organization and its priorities, a request for a specific amount, and details about how contributions will be used, and a promise of quarterly progress updates.
Written appeals featuring the organization’s programs and services of greatest interest and relevance to younger adults, whether they are single, partnered, or parents of young children.

Middle-Aged Adults (born between mid-1940’s and late 1970’s)

A large segment of this generational group came of age at a time of great idealism, anti-war and anti-establishment sentiments. Their idealistic fervor persists regardless political or religious affiliation.
Many are disenchanted with politics and religion, preferring to work hard for charitable causes that support grand moral movements, social justice advocacy, and hands-on service.
A good number grew up in families affected by divorce, high unemployment, and unsure financial futures. They tend to commit time and resources to strengthening relationships and communities.
Respond to mailed appeals and are increasingly comfortable with email appeals and online giving channels.
Check-out donations and charitable gift card benefit programs are effective giving options.
Appeal to their idealistic interests by featuring programs and services that address major societal issues and reform causes.
Peer-to-peer and in person meetings and community events are very effective in asking these adults for contributions.

Mature Adults (born prior to 1942)

Civic causes, philanthropic organizations, and religious institutions are important to older adults who came of age in America during the World War II.
Printed mail appeals with detailed content are the familiar approach for this group, and their giving response is strong. Mature donors prefer to send a check by mail to the charities of their choice.
Messaging that emphasizes giving back, fair share, and regular contributing language is effective in appeals.
Leaving a legacy matters–encourage planned giving as a means of strengthening the institution and its mission and core values for future generations.

Resources on Generational Trends and Differences:

21^st Century Faith Formation http://www.21stcenturyfaithformation.com/index.html

Bhagat, Vinay; Loeb, Pam; Rovner, Mark. The Next Generation of American Giving. March 2010. Convio, Edge Research, and Sea Change Strategies.

Campbell & Company. Generational Differences in Charitable Giving and in Motivations for Giving. Report prepared for the Center on Philanthropy. May 2008.

Chronicle of Philanthropy. Philanthropy 400 Reflects Generational Shift in American Giving. October 17, 2010. http://philanthropy.com/article/A-Generational-Shift-in-Giving/124937/

Giving Speaks blog posts on multigenerational giving and generosity, and by age group.

Johnson, Grossnickle & Associates. Millennial Donors: A Study of Millennial Giving and Engagement Habits. Achieve. 2010. The Millennial Impact Report. http://ww w.themillennialimpact.com/research-2012

Inspiring Generous Giving in Congregations: Antidotes to Donor Fatigue

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Giving Speaks

Fundraising is the gentle art of teaching people the joy of giving. ~Hank Rosso

The members of our congregations make our faith what it is. As one looks out into the pews, the faces you see possess an energy, commitment, intelligence and engagement matched by few other groups of individuals. Along with their shared values and faith, each person that gathers together each week gives of themselves to make the celebration of this liberal faith tradition possible. Some contribute their talents and expertise in leading the congregation to greater fulfillment of its mission; others contribute their wisdom and compassion in bringing forth the very best of their fellow worshipers. Most also give generously of their wealth, whether great or small, to provide the resources necessary to support and grow the congregation that inspires them.

At times, however, these same individuals may experience what is commonly referred to as “Donor Fatigue,” a situation in which these supporting members reduce or entirely cease their financial support of the congregation. Though certainly many household budgets have been challenged by the contracting economy, this drop in giving may be caused by any number of reasons: perhaps there is a lack of trust in the congregation’s ability to steward the resources effectively; concerns over inadequate staff, space, or budgets; or anxiety and conflict arising from differing theological perspectives or strategic priorities.

The Challenge of the Conversation:

Frequently in our culture, the topic of man-and-woman-talking-vector-illustration_Mkbp2Cwd (1) money and generous giving is effectively taboo, compounding the difficulty of addressing the concerns that the members of your congregation may be experiencing. Your congregation can help to de-sensitizing the topic by talking about it to the members of your congregation in reflective, non-anxious ways:

Having a year-round stewardship program to connect the topics of money, giving, and faith in people’s minds can help to establish and cultivate openness to giving and generosity within their lives.
Establishing and communicating clear expectations for congregational membership and giving: a culture of generosity springs from an inspiring vision and high expectations for participation.
Facilitating conversations and small group discussions about money and its relationship to individuals, families, and the larger community can help in reducing anxiety in talking about giving and generosity.
Offer programs to help develop personal financial skills and decision-making about how one’s money can be used, such as personal finance sessions, debt reduction workshops, or introductions to planned giving.

Vision, Leadership and Accountability

People give to congregations for many reasons, both rational and emotive, that are unique to each person. However, there are complementary themes that emerge from conversations with generous supporters of the work of heart and mind found in Unitarian Universalism. You can (re)inspire your members’ generosity by addressing the three concepts of vision, leadership and accountability.

Finally, clarifying and communicating the vision of your congregation and the role that financial generosity plays in its ongoing well-being, active engagement of the ministry and lay leadership in stewardship processes, and recognition and accountability all play tremendously important roles in strengthening the stewardship activities of any organization.

Vision

Clarify and be able to communicate the vision of your congregation and the role that financial generosity plays in its ongoing well-being.
People want to make a positive difference in the world and to be part of something that changes lives for the better.
Examine what the message for giving to the congregation is. Is it inspiring? Does it say “Live the Vision!” or “Pay the Bills”?
Help people to distinguish between expectations for charitable giving and demands of our mass consumer culture when it comes to the perception or sources of fatigue.
How does generosity and giving contribute to the formation of your congregation’s faith identity? Does it express itself as a spiritual practice of generosity or a mandate of obligatory giving?

Ministry and Leadership

Examine the public perception of your ministry and leadership in their ability to bring the congregation’s vision and mission to life.
Donors choose to give to organizations that demonstrate their capacity with competent, effective, trustworthy, and accountable leadership.
How involved is the ministry in leading and promoting effective stewardship and generous giving within your congregation?
The lay leadership and staff can also play an active role in advocacy and stewardship, particularly if stewardship is integrated into leadership development training and workshops.

Recognition and Accountability

Support is given to organizations that are perceived to be strong, successful, and worthy of their gifts. Fiscal responsibility is critical to a congregation’s stewardship success!
Report back to your membership on how contributions are used and the difference that has been made as a result of their generosity.
Thank people as often as possible and celebrate the achievements that they have made possible.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S.!

Though exceptionally generous individuals may give unsolicited gifts to the organizations that they believe to be capable and worthy of their support, it is much more common that people must be invited to demonstrate their generosity. Your members must be asked to make a gift to your congregation!

Making a compelling case to encourage their gifts further enhances the generosity that is demonstrated; helping your fundraising “ask” to resonate with people’s hearts and minds, inspiring their giving. Elements of a compelling fundraising message include the following:

It is Simple: Keep mission and values central to your message.
It is Unexpected: A pressing need or barrier to overcome can pique donor interest.
It is Concrete: Many people are motivated to support causes that lead to definite and tangible results.
It is Credible: Not only is your congregation capable of carrying out the programs described, but they are likely to have the desired outcome.
It taps Emotion: Your message should move the donor emotionally, with an inspiring message that offers opportunities for transformation.
It makes use of Stories: Narratives and testimonies can readily convey and relate to people’s passion.
It is SURPRISING: How generosity touches lives and makes a positive difference in the world–celebrate!