Giving UP in 2008 vs. 2007!

We just completed an initial analysis of giving patterns based on our current client base. Since we host the data for DonorPerfect Online, we're able to aggregate thousands of client's databases and provide some fairly interesting statistics.

For example, we know that in the last 12 month period, giving for DonorPerfect clients is actually up 4%. For those that just started using our fundraising software, the increase is even more dramatic, up 24%! These statistics are very similar to past years.

Probably the most interesting statistic was the following: Giving for DonorPerfect Online customers actually grew by 5% from Sept-Oct 2008 vs. the same period in 2007. In other words, despite the meltdown of the stock market, giving still increased during the same period over last year.

What does this mean??? Well, for one it's not all doom and gloom in the non profit space- certainly not to the extent that the main-stream press tells the story in the New York Times and Dallas News. It's more like this great story about Americans still giving in uncertain times.

In fact, according to Giving USA, we find that:

Total giving in the United States has risen every year in current dollars
but one since recording began (in 1969). The exception was 1987, when a
tax change law the previous year prompted some people to "give early," so they
could maximize the value of tax deductions they could claim.

Source, "Giving during Recessions 2008", by Giving USA Foundation

Clearly, the sky is not falling, and while there are certain segments of the non-profit sector hurting (such as Food Banks), the overall sector is still in good shape.

While the numbers are not in for the all important giving months of November and December, I do think we should all take a deep breath, execute our carefully laid out fundraising plans, and record and analyze the information, hopefully with a great tool like DonorPerfect CRM Fundraising Software.

Since it takes a few weeks for all non-profits to enter all of their gifts, I'll be revisiting this topic in late January. For now, with history on our side, let's face the future with a more optimistic and balanced view of our donors.