An upward cycle: Fending off donor fatigue with innovation |
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by CJ Orr, vice president, Orr Group, and NonProfit Pro contributor
Donor fatigue is a slow burn. Whether it manifests itself through a dwindling regular contribution, a shift in finances, a loss of inspiration, event support or an unforeseen reason, a once-enthusiastic financial contributor may come to a point where they’re just not as interested as they used to be. I’m going to examine why this happens and what you can do about it.
The donor fatigue phenomenon can be seen across all types of revenue streams – foundations, corporations, major gifts, etc.; however, I’ll use an event donor to tell our donor fatigue story. Time after time, I’ve seen it happen. A donor buys a $25,000 table at a nonprofit’s annual capstone event. They do the same thing several years in a row — and then staff start hearing cues: “Oh, this is going to be the last time I’m doing this,” the donor says.
Or, they explain why they can’t spend as much on a table. It’s very straightforward: $25,000 through last year, $12,000 this year. Maybe they’ve been to that event enough. Maybe their financial situation has changed. Maybe they’re not inspired by the organization’s programs anymore. Maybe they feel like they’ve done their part. When you spot such fatigue, it’s time to tailor your ideas — with innovation — to bring donors back to the table at the level of enthusiasm and investment that helped your organization to thrive.
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Giving to Women’s and Girls’ Organizations Represents 1.9 Percent of Total Charitable Giving in the U.S. |
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Now more than ever due to the pandemic, nonprofits are faced with many questions about how to adapt and revise their services and extend their outreach to donors and constituents.
Taking the time to solicit feedback from stakeholders can help your organization be thoughtful and strategic as you make these decisions. This feedback can:
- Help take the guesswork out of decision-making.
- Impact your strategies for current and potential clients, audience members, program participants, donors, and partners.
- Help you answer questions, understand real and perceived barriers, hear from new and underrepresented voices, and hone efforts around philanthropic support, services, inclusion, perceptions, and brand messaging and communications.
About 88 percent of organizations prioritize gathering client feedback, yet only 13 percent of organizations are actually using the data as a top source for continuous improvement. Of the organizations not taking the time to solicit feedback, two-thirds said it was because they faced limited staff time and other barriers, according to a 2019 issue of Stanford Social Innovation Review. Barriers may include lacking the needed financial resources, expertise or support from management. Despite these concerns, stakeholder feedback can be a valuable investment.
Let’s explore the benefits and challenges of three useful methodologies of data gathering: interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
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Understanding American giving trends and the Generosity Commission
Ted Grossnickle, co-founder of Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates, joins Bryan Orander to talk about the latest giving and volunteering trends. Grossnickle also shares his role in launching the Generosity Commission to turn the tide.
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Renew Indianapolis has hired Josh Mullens as a real estate manager. Mullens previously was a consumer lending external loan advisor at FORUM Credit Union. |
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Renew Indianapolis has hired Martha Gilchrist as a land bank specialist. Gilchrist previously was the community manager for G-Bloc Loft Residences and Co-working. |
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Renew Indianapolis has hired Jeb Reece as a land bank specialist. Reece previously was the community development coordinator for the City of Richmond, Ind. |
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Circular Indiana has hired Cortnee Yarbrough as director of strategic engagement. Previously, Yarbrough was director of development at University Library at IUPUI. |
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The Indianapolis Public Transportation Foundation has promoted Rachel Moss to strategic initiatives and special projects manager. Moss previous was a community and gift coordinator. |
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Kappa Delta Pi has hired Stuart Kushner as chief communications officer. Kushner previously was director of communications for the Indiana Society of Association Executives. |
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The Indy Bar Association is offering a free nonprofit toolkit to help organizations navigate the challenges in understanding the federal income tax exemption application process and other challenging tasks often faced by nonprofit organizations. Download
The Indiana Youth Institute’s (IYI) Professional Development Grants program is offering financial assistance for youth workers to access continuing education that they might not otherwise be able to obtain. Each recipient can receive up to $750. Under the guidelines, there is a maximum of two awards awarded per organization per IYI fiscal year (July-June). The deadline to apply is Jan. 31. Learn more
The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust has awarded the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership® (INHP) a $50,000 grant. The funds will be used to support INHP’s Home Repair loan program.
The Indiana Governor's Fellowship Program is currently accepting applications. The program gives recent college graduates from across the state the opportunity to serve and gain experience in various state agencies on a rotating basis during a year-long period. Apply
As part of its On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator program, the Indiana Arts Commission has awarded $204,000 to 102 creative entrepreneurs to fund arts projects throughout the state. Each project is designed to strengthen and support the recipient’s career and community. Read more
Community Foundation of Boone County, which continued a community matching grant initiative launched in 2020, awarded nearly $170,000 in matching grant funds in 2021. The impact resulted in $850,000 being distributed to 27 nonprofit grantees. See recipients
See an article, event or podcast that a friend or co-worker may be interested in? Ask them to subscribe to the Not-for-profit News for the leading nonprofit news in Central Indiana. |
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Fundraising plan for growth and recovery webinar on Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. Learn to craft a smart fundraising strategy for 2022 that works amid continuous change. Presented by Chronicle of Philanthropy. Cost: $89. Register
Solving the challenges of data quality and management for better results webinar on Jan. 20 at noon. Learn to create clean, automated datasets that demonstrate your organization's impact. Presented by Datatelligent & Tableau. Cost: Free. Register
Strategic planning in the pandemic webinar on Jan. 26 at noon. With many nonprofits facing the challenges of the pandemic, it’s important to assess and develop a long-term strategic planning that reflects the current environment. Presented by Johnson, Grossnickle & Associates. Cost: Free. Register
Implicit bias: What's hidden within webinar on Feb. 2 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This workshop examines what implicit bias is, how to recognize it, and how to move past bias through action. Presented by Peace Learning Center. Cost: $35. Register
Proven tactics to improve your event marketing webinar on Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. Learn the tactics that will improve your current strategies and results by evaluating what is working for your donors, events and organization. Presented by Nonprofit Tech For Good. Cost: Free. Register
Financial management 101 for NFP leaders who do it all webinar and virtual roundtable on Feb. 9 from noon-1 p.m. This session will include topics ranging from financial reporting and online Quickbooks for NFPS to 990 and tax reporting tips. Presented by Barnes Dennig. Cost: Free. Register
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Succession planning isn’t just for retirement webinar on Feb. 23 at 11 a.m. How do you prepare an organization for a successful leadership transition? Understand the steps of succession planning, whether you are a nonprofit ED/CEO beginning to think about your retirement timeline or a board or staff leader who wants to be sure your organization has laid the appropriate groundwork for a successful transition. Presented by Bryan Orander with Charitable Advisors. Cost: Free. Register
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The Friends of Belmont Beach, a grassroots community initiative, is seeking volunteers to join their efforts. Belmont Beach, which includes a new pop-up park, seeks to salvage an overlooked area near White River in the historic Westside Indianapolis neighborhood of Haughville. Volunteers are needed for numerous committees, including marketing/outreach, event management, fundraising and volunteer recruitment. Read more
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As grants from donor advised funds continue to grow at impressive rates, they are likely to play an even more prominent role in philanthropy in the years ahead. New research from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy demystifies the role DAFs play.
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Holding the chief executive accountable is a very critical board role. Ensure that both the board and CEO understand expectations and that the chief executive is properly executing their core roles. Learn how leaders need to lead in areas like planning, fundraising and board relations.
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Our sponsor marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn about each sponsor's nonprofit services, click on its logo.
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FUND DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC PLANNING
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BANKING/
ASSET MANAGEMENT
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Downtown suites for lease with onsite parking
The Sol Center, located at 708 E. Michigan St. near the Bottleworks District in downtown Indianapolis, has affordable rental suites and collaborative spaces for nonprofit organizations. Leases include the use of a full kitchen, café style seating, meeting spaces, onsite parking and WiFi access. Contact Christian Page charold@mealsonwheelsindy.org
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