Ten Ways To Make A Big Bet On Social Change

Understand Donor Differences and Raise More Dollars

Giving Compass' Take: • Blue Avocado gives us a deep dive on fundraising efforts for nonprofits, specifically how to target different age demographics and understand how each generation operates. • Is your organization's fundraising strategy aligned properly? Crowdsourcing and mobile apps are becoming more and more essential, as donors become younger and more tech savvy. • Team fundraising is now a GoFundMe feature. Find out more here. With so many worthy nonprofit causes nationwide all competing for donations, how can your organization reach and engage philanthropists? The answer is twofold: broaden your fundraising tactics to be more inclusive of multigenerational giving while employing technology to the fullest to save on organizational time and resources. Millennials are more responsive to issues than they are to institutions. Attract this generation by demonstrating your organization's connection with your social cause and the individuals you serve. Volunteers can be a nonprofit's most valuable resource. Don't waste their time on telephone outreach or tracking mailed RSVPs. Generation X or individuals born roughly between 1965 and 1976 share some fundraising traits with Millennials and others with Baby Boomers. They tend to donate more than once per year and are responsive to multiple solicitations. They give most often to religious congregations, then to social service organizations, next to children's charities and animal welfare groups. Although they prefer to donate online, they still respond to mailed appeals. Baby Boomers or individuals born roughly between 1946 and 1964 may take more time to research a charity before opening their hearts and wallets. However, they are at the age where they are beginning to contemplate where to send a bequest. Once they align with a particular charity, they can become fiercely loyal supporters. They like to donate when it is a part of a workplace giving program and enjoy buying products when a portion of sales go to a nonprofit. Mature seniors in their late 60s to late 80s appreciate more traditional donor engagement and retention methods, such as direct mail appeals, appreciation letters, neighborhood event posters, newspaper calendar listings and RSVP phone calls. Read the full article about finding better ways to raise money by Jim Alvarez on Blue Avocado.