Synopses & Reviews
Fundraising and the Next Generation
Tools for Engaging the Next Generation of Philanthropists
As a savvy fundraising leader, you understand that successful and sustained philanthropy is an issue for all generations. To access every prospective contribution possible, long-term planning and diversified strategies are necessary to allow you to engage younger donors and staff. Packed with worksheets and handouts, Fundraising and the Next Generation brings you up to date on the cases, research, opportunities, and challenges for reaching philanthropy's next generation.
Starting with an introduction to fundraising from multiple generations, in particular Generation X and the Millennials/Generation Y, Fundraising and the Next Generation shows you how to engage your staff and volunteers in conversations about fundraising across the generations and equips you with the tools you need to:
Use social media as an entry point to new donors
Ask the hard questions, self-examine, and integrate strategies that will better serve your organization's mission for long-term sustainability
Give everyone in your organizationnot just the board and staff leadershipa voice
Invite the feedback of your donors, your "junior" staff, and your volunteers
Go on a listening tour to pinpoint your organizational strengths and weaknesses
Gain insight into the motivations and opinions of next-generation givers to help expand the focus of your fundraising efforts
Explore how your organization can better use the next generation of volunteers to support the mission of your organization
Multigenerational prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship is a process; it doesn't come simply because you clicked a button, conducted a happy hour, or invited one young person onto your organization's board of directors. Now you can discover practical strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Gen X and Y philanthropists using the new technologies and traditional tools found in Fundraising and the Next Generation.
Synopsis
Step-by-step guidance to key fundraising methods to attract, engage, and retain donors of all agesFundraising and the Next Generation brings readers up to date on cases, research, opportunities, and challenges regarding philanthropy's next generation. Readers will learn practical strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Gen X and Y philanthropists using new technologies and traditional tools. Fundraising and the Next Generation covers the behaviors, key characteristics, and approaches for working with philanthropists under the age of forty. In addition, other age cohorts will be discussed to provide perspective, comparison, and related strategies.
- Includes step-by-step tools for setting up next gen technology in your organization and engaging Gen X and Y as donors
- Features a glossary of social media terms, a list of academic resources for development and professional advancement, and an assessment toolkit
- Defines the key characteristics of the four current generations, their habits for charitable giving, and how every development office can successfully engage them in philanthropy
- Provides a website with additional information beyond the book
Savvy fundraising leaders understand that successful and sustained philanthropy is not just an issue for today. Long-term planning and diversified strategies allow fundraisers to access every prospective contribution possible. Timely and relevant, Fundraising and the Next Generation brings readers up to date on cases, research, opportunities, and challenges regarding philanthropy's next generation.
Synopsis
Praise for Fundraising and the Next Generation
Tools for Engaging the Next Generation of Philanthropists
"Emily Davis is the expert on the next wave of donors. Fundraising and the Next Generation needs to be in the library of every fundraising professional. Emily Davis has written the definitive guide to fundraising across generations." Trista Harris, coauthor of How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar Executive Director, Headwaters Foundation for Justice
"This book provides an excellent blueprint and practical suggestions on how nonprofits can cultivate the next generation of philanthropists." Beth Kanter, Beth's Blog, and coauthor of The Networked Nonprofit
"Think you've got the next generation figured out? Think again. This book is packed with studies, stories, and stats to help you effectively engage Gen X and Y in meaningful giving. Read it and you'll get more than a few new dollars today. You'll build new levels of support that last for years to come."Deirdre Maloney, author of The Mission Myth and President of Momentum
"I've dog-eared nearly half of the pages in this treasure of a book. At once it is an insider's guide to the motivations of the next generation of givers, a tool box for engaging them, and the best primer on social media and fundraising I have seen to date. While full of practical wisdom, it is also a collection of stories and interviews with a host of thoughtful young donors. A must-read for donors and fundraisers alike." Lisa Parker, President, Lawrence Welk Family Foundation Principal, Family Circle Advisors
"Emily Davis shows us that in philanthropy there can be no 'kids table' at Thanksgiving! Fundraising and the Next Generation gives us the road map for how to engage multiple generations of staff, donors, board members, and community leaders and achieve a much better philanthropic outcome for all. A must-read!" Josie Heath, President, The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County
About the Author
EMILY DAVIS has been working in the non-profit sector as an executive director, staff member, consultant, founder, board member, and volunteer for over fifteen years. She currently serves as the President of EDA Consulting in addition to many board and advisory roles in Colorado as well as nationally. She trains and consults on a number of different areas including board development, online communications, multigenerational philanthropy, and fundraising. Her passion for effective leadership has garnered numerous awards and nominations. Emily received her master's in nonprofit management from Regis University.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xv
CHAPTER 1 Introduction 1
Embracing New Approaches 1
How This Book Is Organized 3
Getting Started 6
CHAPTER 2 Generations in Philanthropy 7
Setting the Stage 7
Defining the Generations 8
Leading Multigen Fundraising Efforts 16
Conclusion 37
Notes 40
CHAPTER 3 Engaging Philanthropy’s Next Generation 43
The Opportunities of Seeking Funds from Young Philanthropists 43
Cultivating the Next Generation of Donors 45
Relationships Don’t Change 60
Conclusion 63
Notes 70
CHAPTER 4 Volunteering Is Philanthropy 73
Creating Volunteer Opportunities Increases Prospective Donors 74
Committee Participation 80
Board Service 82
Conclusion 92
Notes 93
CHAPTER 5 The Next Generation of Grant Makers 95
Investing in Professional Development 96
Networking Resources 100
How Social Media Changes Grant Making 101
Understanding Family Philanthropy 102
What Nonprofits Can Do 113
Notes 115
CHAPTER 6 Harnessing the Power of Online Communications 117
Going Where the Givers Are 117
Social Media Is a Tool, Not the Tool 119
Listen to Your Fans and Followers 120
Social Media Is a Plant 122
Social Media Is Stewardship 123
Adding Value through Social Media 124
Social Media Is a Two-Way Street 124
Not Everyone ‘‘Diggs’’ Social Media 125
It Ain’t Free 126
Build a Social Media Plan 126
Implementing the Social Media Plan 129
Evaluating Social Media Strategies 135
Social Media Policies 135
Conclusion 138
Notes 139
CHAPTER 7 Conclusion 141
Where to Go from Here 141
Becoming a Learning Organization 143
APPENDIX A Worksheets, Plans, and Templates 145
Fundraising and the Next Generation Worksheet 146
Organizational Readiness Assessment 148
Stewardship Plan Worksheet 155
Sample Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 160
Sample Board Recruitment Plan 162
Social Media Plan Worksheet 165
Social Media Plan Outline 167
Blog Post Template 171
Notes 172
APPENDIX B Selected Interviews 173
Next Gen Philanthropist: Mike Gast, Resource Generation 174
Next Gen Grant Maker: Jason Franklin, Bolder Giving 179
Multigen Family Philanthropy: Sharna Goldseker, 21/64 184
Family Philanthropy Consultant: Lisa Parker, Family Circle Advisors 190
Family Foundation: Mary Galeti, The Tecovas Foundation 193
Giving Circles: Alan Frosh, The Gordian Fund 196
Giving Tiers: Jennie Arbogash, Social Venture Partners of Boulder County 202
Notes 206
APPENDIX C Survey Summaries 207
Multigenerational Development Office Survey Results 208
Philanthropy’s Next Generation Survey Results 230
About the Author 289
Index 291