The Agitator

Yesterday The Agitator asked how donors might be sizing up their financial situation these days, given that some surveys indicate increasing optimism about the economy. Is the glass half-empty, or half-full? Here’s an article from the Washington Post that looks more anecdotally at the ...  Read more

In case you headed to the beach early last Friday, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told a financial conference that the economy — U.S. and globally — is on the verge of growing again. As reported here in the NY TImes, despite his upbeat tone, he did say the recovery would be ...  Read more

The verdict is in from Agitator readers … 2009 fundraising for the first half of 2009 is, well, so-so! First of all, thanks to the 130 readers (81% from nonprofits, 19% consultants/agencies) who completed our mid-year assessment survey. Here’s the topline of how you are viewing 2009 ...  Read more

According to Giving USA, total giving to US charities declined 5.7% in real terms in 2008 compared to 2007, the first decline in real terms since 1987. Total giving in 2008 amounted to $307.65 billion, with these components (all declines inflation-adjusted): Individuals — $229.3 billion ...  Read more

Awhile back, I posted on the 90 super-wealthy women who committed $174 million to causes and charities serving women and children. Here’s an example of women joining other women at the local level to support such causes. It’s equally important because it shows the impressive power of ...  Read more

All I can say is WOW! Today, the Women’s Funding Network and Women Moving Millions announced that more than 90 women have committed individual gifts of $1 million or more, with a total of $174 million raised, to improve the lives of women and girls. These funders have responded to a ...  Read more

For those of you desperately seeking a fundraising edge for 2009, here’s one of our favorites from The Agitator backlist. Happy Holidays! Snorting Oxytocin Attention major gift fundraisers!! Next time you’re about to pop the question to a prospect (the fundraising ask, that is) ...  Read more

We’ve just completed the third in our series of surveys to fundraisers who joined our Vital Signs Panel. The most important question we asked was: "As you adjust your fundraising plans for 2009, what are the three most important strategic changes or emphases you’re likely to ...  Read more

Isn’t it ironic? The last 2-3 years have seen a surge in heavy reflection on the part of donors on the matter of evaluating the credibility and performance of would-be nonprofit recipients of their largesse. Are the donations really getting through to the ultimate beneficiaries who need ...  Read more

In this extremely valuable study of giving by wealthy individuals, Indiana University’s Center on Philantropy reports this astonishing finding … The #1 reason wealthy individuals stop giving to a charity they have supported is (pick one): They can no longer afford to give They were ...  Read more