In times of adversity it’s easy to be driven by fear, and those depending on giving to keep afloat are currently facing a harder time. However, many specialists in the field of philanthropy keep believing that, to live through this economic tumult the focus must be opening to new opportunities and strengthen relationships.
Certainly, it’s always been more effective to look at trouble with of optimism; just keeping away from the increasing panic and being practical about your current limitations will already make a change.
Marjorie Fine, of the Center for Community Change offers specific tips for fundraising during the economic downturn. As she asserts, “the point is that foundations will still have money to give in the next year, no matter how bad things are this year”.
Her article has a special interest for the philantropy sector it's likewise useful for those in the arts.
Summarising, she suggests 3 relevant points to consider in a time of deep financial insecurity:
1. Reach out to your donors and program officers; keep relationships strong.
- Find out how the crisis may impact your donor’s giving and if they have to reconsider any of their charitable contributions; keep in touch regularly but not annoyingly!
-Build bridges and make the connections between what they think is important to their work or giving goals and what your organization is doing.
- Even if the news is discouraging, don’t hear a “no” where there isn’t one.
2. Clearly communicate the work you’re doing – make it timely.
- Now is the time to be even more strategic and consistent in your communications. Make sure your donors see your recognition. Emphasize your record of making a real impact in your community.
- Be prepared to demonstrate to both foundations and individual donors how you are managing your budget during this time.
3. It’s all about building relationships.
- Consider more creative ways for your closest, loyal donors to support your organization.
- Be sympathetic about the real challenges that donor may be facing.
“ Remember that your job is to ask for contributions not just in good times, but even more so in challenging and scary times.”
You can read the full article here: http://www.communitychange.org/our-projects/movementvisionlab/blog/fundraising-success-in-a-time-of-financial-crisis/view
And, to see how previous recession times have affected giving to different types of charities, here are some charts showing statistics from 1970 to 2006:
http://philanthropy.com/free/articles/v20/i08/08001001.htm.
Finally, if you want to get more advice and still have not read this, I highly recommend the article by Helmut K. Anheier "How can the cultural sector survive the financial crisis?".
Plus its follow up and other related posts:
- Follow up - financial crisis and cultural sector (11-3-2009)
- Interesting news report about arts funding and the credit crunch; in audio/video format (11-12-2008)
- Financial crisis: impact on sponsorship and philanthropy for arts and culture (15-11-2008)
Getagged als:
charities, financial crisis, non-profits, philantropy
LabforCulture ist eine Partnerinitiative der European Cultural Foundation. LabforCulture dankt seinen Förderern für Ihre Unterstützung.