Talisman Thinking Out Loud

Charitable Giving UP Down Under!

03/05/2016 at 23:00 Barbara Talisman, CFRE Leave a comment

Yes that’s right – Australians are giving more than last year – Just like in the US. The NAB’s bi-annual Charitable Giving Index showed overall giving to charity grew by 6.5 per cent over the year to February 2016, up from just 2.4 per cent a year earlier.

Unlike in the US, in Australia:

• Humanitarian services charities continued to attract the biggest market share of all donations, with 35% of all donations.
• Health, disability and charitable lotteries – 12%
• Community services – 11%
• Cancer charities – 9%

It is hard to compare head to head with the US, but religious and health organisations (hospitals) along with universities have long topped recipients of the $350B+ charitable giving in the US.

The good news is Australians are giving more than last year. Philanthropy and fundraising is new(er) in Australia than in the US. Everyone tells me the culture is different. And their right.

However, like in the US, there are very generous donors in Oz. And Australians who give major gifts – for the same reason a US philanthropist invests:

• People give to people
• Passion – someone (see above) has connected with their passion
• They see making a difference as having a positive impact
• Tax implications or opportunities – in the US this is and always has been the last reason a donor makes a gift

Donors are donors are donors – in Australia or anywhere else. They want to make a difference. They have good intentions – or we must assume that from the get go. As fundraisers and philanthropic advisors we need to connect to their passions and their investment will be made – in any country, anywhere.

I do think boldness is a part of any fundraisers portfolio. We must

• Believe the mission
• Ask good questions
• Be honest and authentic
• Ask for the best gift

If your organisation ceased to exist – what would be the impact on your community, people, children, students? Our missions are vital to community and country growth – if you believe then asking for an investment appropriate for the donor and organisation mission is critical and easy. Ask big, be bold.

Remember – if you asked and the donor said yes immediately – you may have asked for too little. Did I mention negotiating the investment and impact is part of the ask?

Entry filed under: Fundraising, Nonprofit fundraising, Nonprofit Research, Resources You Can Use!. Tags: Fundraising in Australia, Giving in Australia, NAB Charitable Giving Index, Philanthropy in Australia.