Fundraising Talks
News and updates from the USM Office of
Advancement Research
Despite the uncertainty we are facing, we have quickly learned that almost anything is possible digitally. RAISE Hub suggests utilizing Facebook and other social media outlets to promote news that engages alumni and donors. They also suggest tailoring digital events to specific populations. For example, host a webinar for alumni who are homeschooling for the first time or a webinar for alumni looking to change careers. This will help your events feel tailored to the individual in a time when people are overwhelmed with a multitude of online engagement options. Lastly, make sure you are keeping your volunteers close. Keep them in the loop by sharing "insider" news from your campus and thank them for their continued support. Read more here.
A new report from the Women's Philanthropy Institute shows how women give in comparison to men and how each gender utilizes the internet and social networks to give. The study found that women are giving more gifts and more total dollars online. It also found that women's and girl's organizations receive substantially more support from women than men. Read more findings here.
While many donors are rethinking their giving strategies as a result of COVID-19, there are still donors who are doing well and are willing to give. In this article , Forbes outlines the top major gift opportunities that are still possible. First, Forbes encourages organizations to consider gifts from donor-advised funds. Second, help donors understand the benefit of income tax reduction by putting a summary of the CARES act on your website. Next, consider reaching out to business owners planning to sell and ask them if they have considered the opportunity to reduce their tax liability before the sale by giving ownership interest (the law allows them to deduct 30 percent of their income using asset-based gifts.) Lastly, prepare for gifts of publicly traded securities. Nonprofits can play a crucial role in educating their donors on the benefits of giving publicly traded stock. Read more here.
Currently, there is a great need for philanthropic support, which means that there is a great need for advancement offices to continue to sustain what they began cultivating before the pandemic hit. In this article , GG+A suggests fifteen ways to do so. Among their recommendations, they suggest revising messaging to acknowledge the evolving impact of the health and economic crisis. Treat key leadership donors as insiders and bring them in for briefings to share good news and challenges. Motivate staff members by reminding them of the importance of philanthropy during tough times. Start considering a post-pandemic plan that will make your office and operations more efficient in the future.
Advancement and alumni relations teams are adjusting to online programs and virtual events, while giving days have adjusted to support students and a community in need. Sue Cunningham and Tiffany Crumpton from CASE have identified three themes that have emerged in higher ed as a result of the global crisis. First, it has been proven that education transforms lives and society. Second, it has enforced that mission and institutional stewardship is key. Lastly, it has shown that communication strategies and priorities must shift in order to spread pertinent information and engage constituents in new ways. Read more here.