Non-Profits Continue to Feel Optimistic Regardless of the Economy

Many non-profits and charities have been feeling the bite of a weakened economy. However, that hasn’t dimmed the sense of optimism for non-profit leaders around the globe. Through social media and a few creative ideas, the business of philanthropy is thriving like never before.

There is a press release on MarketWatch.com that summarizes the “2011 Global State of the Nonprofit Industry report, featuring survey results from 2200 international respondents covering nonprofit general operations, fundraising, technology and Internet usage, and impact reporting and board performance.”

The survey states that, “There is a growing sense of optimism in the global nonprofit sector regarding growth in staffing and earned and charitable income in 2012.” While there is a growing need for more services to be provided, there is also an increased level of giving. “There is a very real sense of optimism growing in the sector,” said Andrew Watt, president and CEO, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), who provided commentary in the report. “Rising giving levels are what is driving the sense of optimism and, in turn, anticipated growth in staffing. Part of that optimism is the nature of our missions–nonprofits work to create change and inspire the public. We tend to be optimists, but with a healthy dose of realism.”

Secondly, while most charities still pursue traditional channels of fundraising, online giving has become one of the most successful ways towards generating funds. Most countries showed growth in their funding between 2010 and 2011 due to social media giving. While this process is still new, many are experimenting with how to incorporate social media into their marketing and most use it to try and connect to new donors.

Finally, the biggest challenge non-profits are facing is how to maintain relationships, obtain new donors and improve impact reporting. “The single biggest challenge with supporter management is campaign integration,” said Adrian Sargeant, fundraising professor and consultant, who provided commentary in the report.
“Nonprofits need to do more to integrate the online with their offline and their fundraising with their advocacy and campaigning. Donors want one coherent relationship with the organizations they support, not multiple relationships with half a dozen different teams.”

With prime giving season approaching, re-engage your donors and allow them to fundraise for you via their own social networks and give a big boost to your year end non-profit fundraising campaigns on Fundly, the leader in online social fundraising for causes.