Comments on: An “Obama Effect” On Fundraising?

By: Kristen Grills

Kristen Grills — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:09:58 +0000

Thanks to Mark Brooks for the link to the WSJ article on conservative vs. liberal giving. Insightful and informative article. I think there’s a natural leap to assume that the historical fundraising success of this election would signal that liberal giving is more generous. Interesting to see that data leans opposite. I will be sharing this article with colleagues. Thanks for the tip!

By: Ken Smith

Ken Smith — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 08:03:14 +0000

One would hope the Obama effect is to get people to open pockets. Maybe for some. But, I worry about those who say
I can keep my money now, because he will address our problems with vigor and solve them. What’s the fund raising curve look like in the first year of any new president?. That’s data for comparison.

By: Mark Brooks

Mark Brooks — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:36:11 +0000

While I certainly rejoice that a nation like ours elected a minority I have doubts that Obama will mean anything different in terms of giving by the rank and file. I so hope I am wrong. Yesterday’s article by Arthur Brooks in the Wall Street Journal should serve as a sober warning. You can read it by going to http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123258358706104403.html

In my experience what motivates people to give is first and foremost a compelling vision. Perhaps Obama can do that for the left. Conservatives long ago found the joy of giving. The question is will Obama be able to get his side of the aisle to do like wise? When his own charitable giving was so low before he ran for president one has to wonder? He can start with motivating Joe Biden to increase his charitable gifts!

By: Miriam Kagan

Miriam Kagan — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:31:14 +0000

One thing I have been thinkign about as a parallel “Obama effect” is whether his campaign is going to influence nonprofit fundraisers to more fully embrace online and social media as fundraising tools with the validity and respect given to DM.

We have already seen clients expressing more interest, and I believe this stems from the tremendous fundraising success the Obama campaign had online, and in particular, the success it had engaging demographic groups other than youngsters online.

By: Dan Shaw

Dan Shaw — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:39:17 +0000

The potentially problematic “Obama Effect” might be some sense that he’s going to take care of things. Problem solved. No need to lobby for our cause. Mission accomplished.
People give money to defeat demons, and BHO’s election removes the biggest demon that liberal fundraisers have had in my memory: an administration whose actions and policies ran counter to every progressive aim and ideal.
Let’s be careful to make it clear to donors that Obama can do only so much and that, in fact, his inauguration address was very clear that “it’s up to US!” … including the progressive nonprofit sector… to turn things around and dig us out of this pit. (More thoughts on my website.)

By: Kimberley MacKenzie

Kimberley MacKenzie — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:47:52 +0000

Hi Tom,

Yes I do agree. Particularly with your point that people want to act they just need to feel like it will make a difference. More important than every for us all to make sure that our organization is the one that “accomplishes real change”.

I was particularly taken with Martin Luther Kind day rebranding as a “Day of Service”. Very powerful stuff.

Kimberley