Funding Site Newsletter

There is a huge giving revolution underway and a plethora of articles on new attitudes and ways of giving and a move towards the “reinvention of philanthropy”. All of them are concerned with how 21st Century donors are setting new standards and making use of new techniques and tools to help them decide where to place their social investment and charitable funds.

There are some important trends that have emerged which we believe are important for you to take note of as they are going to dramatically change the face of giving in the future. These include:

1. Individuals comprise the majority of the donor pool giving some 74% of all financial gifts in 2003. This group is increasingly representative of the global population in its diversity on all levels;
2. International giving is growing at a rapid pace among all types of donors and diaspora giving is surging ahead with an estimated annual $80 billion being given worldwide through country giving opportunities;
3. New vehicles are emerging to facilitate giving. These include donor advised funds, giving circles, learning journeys, community foundations and online marketplaces.
4. The internet is becoming the major giving medium with an estimated total online giving having surpassed the $7.5 Billion (USD) mark last year. At the same time, online giving is showing a general trend towards making larger financial donations and a growing pattern of focusing on smaller organisations and community projects
5. A key trend is observable in the new pro-activity of donors – evidenced by the fact that they are increasingly attracted to personal research, self-formed learning and self-generated opinions. The online social networking revolution is enabling givers to connect with each other and form relationships in their giving. At all levels these individuals are passionate about their role in giving and we are likely to see groups forming around shared values, interests, life styles or geographic areas of commitment. There is increasing participation in international “learning journeys” by interested donors to potential beneficiary communities to establish direct giving relationships with non profits they have found and engage with online.
6. Perhaps most importantly is the fact that more and more donors will take care of all their giving using internet giving portals- even interfacing “low tech” giving circles and other “offline” activities with the efficiency of online transaction capabilities, donor management tools etc.. This could make it harder for charities without a web presence to raise funds but simultaneously make it easier for online charities to access donors and weaken the hold of the larger more traditional development agencies.

1. Set your exact location to attract donors in your area
2. Load your logo and a good, recent photograph showing your work – if you haven’t already
3. Request the goods, time, skills or funds you need
4. Check what our donors are offering and connect with them directly
5. Keep your Cause Space current by adding stories, reports, photos and news about your work

• Carehaven
• Sunnydale Animal Sterilisation and Health Association
• Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education