For nonprofit organizations in every sector and every region of the country, 2009 has been a challenging year for fundraising. And with the great majority of personal contributions given in the last quarter of the calendar year, staff and board members are feeling significant pressure to secure needed funding.

A new study commissioned by Campbell & Company and conducted by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University surveyed more than 8,000 donors around the country and found that donors’ largest gifts resulted from personal requests made by someone they knew.

While this may come as no surprise to fundraising professionals, this report may be helpful for leaders to share with board members, volunteers, and staff members who have been reluctant to take part in personal solicitation meetings. Your mission depends on it!

http://www.afpnet.org/ResourceCenter/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=4182

Filed under: Major Gifts, Trends by Natalie Lamberjack on October 15, 2009