Weekly Picks

2012 Trends of the Week

December 23, 2012 - January 5, 2013

African American Philanthropy Trends

December 16 - 22, 2012

Trends in Corporate Giving

Developed by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy in association with The Conference Board, Giving in Numbers: 2012 Edition is based on data from 214 companies, including 62 of the top 100 companies in the Fortune 500. The sum of contributions across all respondents of the 2011 Corporate Giving Survey (CGS), from which the data is pulled, totaled more than $19.9 billion in cash and product giving. This report not only presents a profile of corporate philanthropy in 2011, but also pinpoints how corporate giving is evolving and becoming more focused. Key findings include:

	Median total giving in the report sample was $21.02 million
	60% of companies gave more in 2011 than in 2009
	83% of companies offered at least one matching gift program
	85% of companies had a formal domestic employee volunteer program; 47% had a formal international volunteer program
	82% of companies reported having a corporate foundation
	Health, education, and community and economic development were top priorities for the typical company
	46% of total giving was through direct cash

To download the full report, go to: www.corporatephilanthropy.org
 

December 9 - 15, 2012

Engaging Board Members in Fundraising

Nonprofit Research Collaborative (NRC) finds a statistically significant relationship between active fundraising by nonprofit board members and the nonprofit reaching its fundraising goals. Sixty percent of organizations where board members help with fundraising met their 2011 fundraising goals, compared with just 53 percent of nonprofits without board member engagement. This study also debunks a common perception that board members help an organization meet its fundraising goal through their own giving. Board member gifts were required at 57 percent of the responding charitable organizations but these gifts made up 10 percent or less of total charitable receipts at most organizations. To download a copy of the report, go to: www.urban.org
 

December 2 - 8, 2012

Nonprofits’ Impact on the Economy

The Rebecca Gordon Group has compiled information from Forbes, the Giving USA report the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Atlas of Giving and Johns Hopkins University to create a visual guide to the complex ways nonprofits influence the economy. From the info graphic, one can see that the nonprofit sector has been growing steadily, both in size and financial impact for more than a decade. For purposes of this info graphic, nonprofits are defined as entities exempt from income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We will let the info graphic speak for itself (that's the point of an info graphic!") But here are a few key findings:

	After two consecutive years of drops in charitable giving in 2008 and 2009, giving is once again on the rise. Giving is expected to increase to 360 billion in 2012.
	From 2000 to 2010, nonprofit employment increased in all 45 states reporting data, a total of 2.1% overall. During that same time frame, for-profit employment decreased by .6%

November 25 - December 1, 2012

Nonprofit Sector is Growing Faster than Rest of the Economy

According to The Nonprofit Almanac 2012 published by the Urban Institute Press, the nonprofit sector's growth in total wages and employees outpaced government and business between 2000 and 2010. Even during and after the recession, from 2007 to 2010, nonprofit employment grew 4 percent and wages increased 6.5 percent, while they decreased in the business sector by 8.4 and 8 percent, respectively, and increased only 1 and 4.8 percent, respectively, for government. Nonprofits paid $587.7 billion in wages and employed 13.7 million people (9 percent of the country's labor force) in 2010. Nonprofit organizations did not escape the recession unscathed. Private giving was down 11 percent from 2007 to 2010. While corporate giving dropped 13 percent between 2007 and 2008, by 2010 it had surpassed pre-recession levels. However, in 8 of the past 10 years, the nonprofit sector spent more than it earned. The gap between revenues and outlays was $65 billion in 2008, 2009, and 2010. For more information or to order a copy, go to: www.urban.org
 

November 18 - 24, 2012

Poverty Increases As Measured by Census Bureau Supplemental Poverty Measure

The ranks of America's poor edged up last year to a high of 49.7 million, based on a new census measure that takes into account medical costs and work-related expenses. The numbers released by the Census Bureau are part of a newly developed supplemental poverty measure. Devised a year ago, this measure provides a fuller picture of poverty that the government believes can be used to assess safety-net programs by factoring in living expenses and taxpayer-provided benefits that the official formula leaves out. Based on the revised formula, the number of poor people exceeded the 49 million, or 16 percent of the population, who were living below the poverty line in 2010. That came as more people in the slowly improving economy picked up low-wage jobs last year but still struggled to pay living expenses. The revised poverty rate of 16.1 percent also is higher than the record 46.2 million, or 15 percent, that the government's official estimate reported in September. Due to medical expenses, higher living costs and limited immigrant access to government programs, people 65 or older, Hispanics and urbanites were more likely to be struggling economically under the alternative formula. Also spiking higher in 2011 was poverty among full-time and part-time workers. For more information, go to: www.census.gov
 

November 11 - 17, 2012

High Net Worth Philanthropy

The 2012 Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy examines the giving patterns, priorities, and attitudes of America’s wealthiest households for the year 2011. This study reveals consistent trends in the giving and volunteering behaviors of high net worth individuals and households from previous years, as well as departures from past trends. The vast majority (95.4 percent) of high net worth households continued to give to charity in 2011. Although the findings show a 3 percentage point decline in the rate of giving by these households from 2009, a growing proportion of high net worth individuals volunteered their time in 2011 (88.5 percent compared with 78.7 percent in 2009). More than one-third of these volunteers gave 200 hours or more of their time in 2011. High net worth donors have become more intentional about their giving in recent years. In 2011, the majority of these donors relied on a strategy to guide their giving and focused their giving on particular causes or geographical areas. In addition, compared with 2009, fewer high net worth donors gave spontaneously in response to a need and a greater proportion funded nonprofit general operations. To download the report, go to: www.philanthropy.iupui.edu
 

November 4 - 10, 2012

Charitable Giving Trends in 2012

October 28 - November 3, 2012

How Social Media Influences Giving

This infographic at the website of Inspiring Generosity highlights some of the causes and campaigns that have succeeded and the growth social good has seen in recent years. While each campaign utilized online communication differently, they provide a great look into how non-profits can harness social media and use it for widespread change. Here are some key stats from the infographic that highlight the evolution of charitable giving and how online activism is changing the non-profit industry:
 

	80% of Gen Yers have donated financially or with goods/services in past 12 months.
	Nearly 50% of web users surveyed by the Red Cross said they would use social media in an emergency.
	1 in 5 adults have donated to charity online.
	Prior to 2010, $1 million had been donated to causes through mobile devices. After the earthquake in Haiti, that number jumped to $50 million.

To learn more about the impact social media has had on giving back and the evolution of “social good” since the Haiti Earthquake, check out the infographic at: social.razoo.com
 

October 21 - 27, 2012

Use of Digital Communications on Rise In Foundations

October 14 - 20, 2012

Foundation Payout Trends

The vast majority of U.S. grantmaking foundations are required by law to distribute 5 percent of their investment assets annually for charitable purposes. While this requirement is commonly known, it is often not well understood. Understanding and Benchmarking Foundation Payout demystifies the concept of payout while addressing common misperceptions. It also delivers first-ever trend information detailing the payout practices of the largest U.S. foundations. Among key findings from the new report:

	Most large endowed independent foundations paid out at or above the 5 percent required payout level during the period 2007 to 2009
	Nearly one-in-five endowed foundations had payout rates at or above 10 percent
	Few operating characteristics beyond endowment size were associated with consistently higher or lower payout rate practices, and variation was modest
	Nearly one-in-10 endowed foundations had payout rates of less than 5 percent, generally due to carryover of undistributed income or rapid growth in their assets
	The decision to have a limited lifespan coincided with much higher payout levels for family foundations

To download the free report summary, go to: foundationcenter.org
 

October 7 - 13, 2012

Report Calls for Renewed Focus on African American Men and Boys

Pointing to structural inequities in education, health systems, housing, employment and criminal justice, a new report from George Soros’ Open Society Foundations calls for a renewed commitment to African American men and boys on the part of philanthropy. Last year, Soros and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg each pledged $30 million to fund a New York City-based program aimed at improving life outcomes for men of color. Soros used the report’s release as an occasion to call other philanthropists to join him in similar funding strategies, such as the California Community Foundation’s focus on African American youth in the juvenile delinquency system. Key findings of the report, “Where Do We Go From Here? Philanthropic Support for Black Men and Boys,” include:

	Foundation funding explicitly designated to benefit black men and boys held steady in recent years, rising modestly from $22 million in 2008 to nearly $29 million in 2010.
	Education was the top priority of grants explicitly in support of black males, receiving 40 percent of grant dollars.
	Most foundation dollars explicitly targeting black men and boys provided program support (87 percent).
	Recipient organizations in the South received the largest share (32 percent) of foundation dollars explicitly intended to benefit black males. The Northeast received 30 percent of funding.

To download the report, go to: foundationcenter.org
 

September 30 - October 6, 2012

Nonprofits and Cloud Computing

In 2012, TechSoup Global and its network of partners conducted a survey of NGOs, nonprofits, and charities around the world. The goal of the survey was to better understand the current state of their tech infrastructure and their future plans for adopting cloud technologies. More than 10,500 responses from 88 countries were received. The key results of the 2012 TechSoup Global Cloud Computing Survey include:
 

	90% of respondents worldwide are using at least one cloud computing application.
	53% report plans to move a “significant portion” of their IT to the cloud within three years.
	60% say lack of knowledge is the greatest barrier to greater use of the cloud.
	79% say the greatest advantage is easier software or hardware administration.
	47% say cost-related changes and ease of setup would be the greatest motivators for moving their IT to the cloud.
	NGOs in Egypt, Mexico, India, and South Africa have the most accelerated timetables for moving their IT to the cloud.

September 23 - 29, 2012

Nonprofits Need a Strong, Unified Voice to Lobby Government

Beyond the Cause: The Art and Science of Successful Advocacy is a comprehensive study that identifies five essential approaches to successful advocacy and analyzes the effectiveness of advocacy on issues facing the entire nonprofit and philanthropic sector. This study is based on more than 100 interviews, three surveys, three case studies, four coalition profiles, and a detailed examination of the sector’s track record and approach to public policy advocacy on sector-wide issues. The five strategic approaches that emerged as the common ingredients in successful advocacy both for the corporate and nonprofit lobbying groups include:

	Sustain a laserlike focus on long-term goals.
	Prioritize building the elements for successful campaigns.
	Consider the motivations of public officials.
	Galvanize coalitions to achieve short-term goals.
	Ensure strong, high-integrity leadership.

To download the full report and an executive summary, go to: www.independentsector.org
 

September 16 - 22, 2012

Struggling Economy Continues to Affect Nonprofit CEO Compensation

According to GuideStar's 2012 GuideStar Nonprofit Compensation Report, between 2009 and 2010, increases for incumbent CEO compensation started to creep back up at larger organizations, though still below levels seen before the economic meltdown. At organizations with expenses of $1 million or less, compensation increases were lower than during the period between 2008 and 2009. In total, the compensation of 41 percent of incumbent CEOs remained static or declined. Program areas that had higher median CEO compensation were science and technology research institutes and health, while the median compensation for animal- and religion-related programs tended to be lower. Report’s highlights include:

	The economy had a definite effect on compensation. In 2008, median increases in incumbent CEO compensation were generally 4 percent or higher. In 2010, increases were below this level for the second consecutive year.
	Median compensation of females continued to lag behind that of males when considering comparable positions at similar organizations. The gap ranged from 10.4 percent for CEOs at organizations with budgets of $250 thousand-$500 thousand to 24.8 percent at organizations with budgets of more than $50 million. Since 2000, though, these gaps narrowed for most sizes of organizations. Organizations in the $1 million-$10 million range, where the gap actually increased, were the notable exception.
	For the seventh straight year, Washington, D.C., had the highest overall median salary of the top 20 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA). Denver-Boulder, Colo., had the lowest. Adjusted for cost of living, New York was the MSA where nonprofit executives had the lowest median buying power, whereas those in St. Louis had the highest.

For more information, go to: www.cisionwire.com
 

September 9 - 15, 2012

Corporate Foundation Giving Trends

Corporate foundation giving grew the fastest across foundation types in 2011, according to Key Facts on Corporate Foundations (2012 Edition). Grant dollars rose 6 percent to $5.2 billion. Despite continued economic volatility, corporate profits have been at record levels, leading corporations to put more resources into their foundations. Looking ahead, just over half (53 percent) of corporate foundations responding to the Foundation Center's annual forecasting survey expect to increase their giving in 2012. To download the free report, go to: foundationcenter.org
 

September 2 - 8, 2012

Women’s Growing Importance As Donors

August 26 - September 1, 2012

Success Factors in Nonprofit Mergers

New research indicates nonprofit mergers can contribute to the stability of the nonprofit environment and that certain factors, when employed in the merger process, add to the mergers' success. Success Factors in Nonprofit Mergers, a study of 41 direct service organization mergers in Minnesota, is now available from MAP for Nonprofits and Wilder Research. Findings include:

	At least one merger partner in the majority of the mergers studied faced some financial problems pre-merger, however, overall the mergers were pursued for a combination of strategic and survival motives.
	In the short term, the merged organization’s cash position (current ratios) declined, however, the longer-term financial picture (debt ratios) improved.
	Nonprofit executives play a key merger role. Eighty-five percent of the mergers had an executive champion and 80 percent of the mergers had a departing executive (for example, a planned retirement.) This finding, combined with an expected wave of executive retirements in the next decade, points to a timely opportunity.
	Strong working relationships between nonprofit executives prior to merger was found to be a predictor of post-merger outcomes in service preservation, improved image and financial sustainability.
	Strong board involvement prior to merger was another predictor of positive post-merger outcomes, specifically in image or reputation.
	Communicating with and involving line staff in merger planning and preparations was positively associated with merger outcomes like service quality and expansion, financial stability, organizational reputation and alignment of staffing with needs.
	Involving funders in the process was found to result in positive outcomes, such as the preservation of services, financial stability and organizational alignment with client needs.

For more information, go to: www.mapfornonprofits.org
 

August 19 - 25, 2012

Location of High Performing Nonprofits in America

Where are the most high-performing charities in America? Charity Navigator’s 2012 Metro Market Study reveals the regional differences in the performance of the nation’s largest charities. Not all U.S. cities have equally high performing charities, according to a study by Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator. The study revealed that large charities in markets such as Portland, Milwaukee and Kansas City have a greater commitment to ethical best practices than those in Detroit, Miami and Atlanta. It is the only comprehensive report on the performance – both financial health and accountability & transparency – of the 30 largest philanthropic marketplaces in America. For more information, go to: www.charitynavigator.org
 

August 5 - 18, 2012

Major Trends Impacting Nonprofits

In a recent conference presentation in St. Louis, Professor Robert Reich, associate professor of political science at Stanford University, summarized major trends continuing to impact nonprofits:

Five macro trends include:

	Local, state and federal deficits, which can lead to decreased support for some organizations dependent on government funding
	Comprehensive tax reform, which may depress individuals' incentive to donate since the deduction for charitable contributions might not mean as much.
	Post-Citizens United world in which some nonprofits are becoming political agents, alienating some donors. Politicized nonprofit organizations can be seen as interest groups, and that can taint the trust of donors.
	Dysfunctional federal political system, which Reich said "needed no explanation."
	Blurring of the boundaries between nonprofits and for-profit organizations as nonprofits act like for-profits, and for-profit organizations adopt social missions like nonprofits.

Reich also discussed five more micro trends he believes might affect nonprofit organizations.

	New modes of giving, especially online giving. Reich said the biggest days for online giving are Dec. 30-31 as the tax year closes.
	Impact investing: By making seed investments in new start up for-profit organizations that support nonprofit causes, nonprofits can attempt to attract investors and donors.
	Focus on measurable outcomes: Organizations should track what they are doing so donors know where their money has made the most impact. This will keep donors because they are promised outcomes from their donations.
	New organizational forms that combine traits from for-profit organizations and nonprofit organizations. An organization uses business tools to create revenue, but it is not required to make a profit for shareholders so it can freely provide social services.
	Inequality can both increase demand for services but also create a potential source of new donors. Reich said more Americans have the resources to become donors..

July 29 - August 4, 2012

Nonprofit Trends

July 15 - 28, 2012

Foundation Growth and Giving Estimates

Giving by U.S. foundations totaled an estimated $46.9 billion in 2011, surpassing the $46.8 billion pre-recession peak recorded in 2008. Yet, after accounting for inflation, contributions by the nation's more than 76,600 foundations were down slightly from 2010. According to Foundation Growth and Giving Estimates (2012 Edition), if the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation were excluded from the totals, 2011 giving would actually have gone down by roughly 3 percent after inflation. Key 2011 findings include:

	Independent and family foundations — which represent the vast majority of U.S. foundations — increased their charitable contributions by less than 2 percent to $33.1 billion before inflation.
	Corporate foundation giving rose 6 percent to $5.2 billion before inflation, surpassing other types of foundations.
	Community foundation giving declined slightly and totaled $4.2 billion before inflation.

To download the report at no charge, go to: foundationcenter.org
 

July 8 - 14, 2012

Growth in Giving Slows

American philanthropic giving rose in 2011 to more than $298.4 billion, up from a revised estimate of $286.9 billion in 2010, reflecting gains across the economy, according to Giving USA 2012, the annual report on philanthropy released by the Giving USA Foundation and its research partner, the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. Key findings include:

	Individual giving increased by 0.8 percent in inflation-adjusted dollars. Personal, disposable income rose 0.7 percent from 2010 compared to a 2 percent increase between 2009 and 2010. Individuals gave an average of 1.9 percent of their disposable income each year over the past two years, indicating that people generally remain committed to philanthropy despite possible fluctuations in personal income.
	In inflation-adjusted dollars, foundation giving fell 1.3 percent largely due to reduced asset growth resulting from the continuing American housing market weakness, European debt crisis, rising oil prices and other various economic and political factors.
	Corporate giving remained flat compared to 2010 levels. Corporate pre-tax profits only rose 4.2 percent in 2011, compared to a 25 percent increase in the previous year. The S&P 500 index also experienced a 3 percent decline in real dollars after two consecutive years of growth (10.9 percent in 2010 and 23.8 percent in 2009).

July 1 - 7, 2012

Involving Millennials in Nonprofits

The third annual Millennial Impact Report has just been issued and it is full of important data. The report is issued by Achieve and Johnson Grossnickle Associate and funded by the Case Foundation. The data used to develop the report is quite extensive and drawn from over 6500 surveys completed and focus groups of “Millennial Professionals” aged 20 – 35. 95% of the participants were college graduates. The goal of the study is to develop a better understanding of successful strategies for nonprofits to engage Millennials. Because it included both surveys and focus groups in Indianapolis, Seattle, and Washington D.C it has both breadth and depth. Each section features “Takeaways” Here are some key overall findings and assessments from the report: Millennials want to be taken seriously as donors, volunteers, and leaders for causes they care about. Young donors are fully immersed in technology, but they are also invested in timeless values. They want to give and to serve. They want involvements that engage their minds as well as their hands. Most important they are interested in building authentic, personal relationships with nonprofits. Millennials have high expectations o for themselves and the nonprofits they support. To download the full report, go to: themillennialimpact.com
 

June 24 - 30, 2012

Older Adults and Internet Use

As of April 2012, 53% of American adults age 65 and older use the internet or email. Though these adults are still less likely than all other age groups to use the internet, the latest data represent the first time that half of seniors are going online. After several years of very little growth among this group, these gains are significant. As of February 2012, one third (34%) of internet users age 65 and older use social networking sites such as Facebook, and 18% do so on a typical day. By comparison, email use continues to be the bedrock of online communications for seniors. As of August 2011, 86% of internet users age 65 and older use email, with 48% doing so on a typical day. Looking at gadget ownership, a growing share of seniors own a cell phone. Some 69% of adults ages 65 and older report that they have a mobile phone, up from 57% in May 2010. Even among those currently age 76 and older, 56% report owning a cell phone of some kind, up from 47% of this generation in 2010. To read or download the full report, go to: pewinternet.org
 

June 17 - 23, 2012

Trends in American Families

The American Family Assets Study released by The Search Institute presents a compelling national portrait of families. It introduces a new framework of Family Assets—relationships, interactions, opportunities, and values that help families thrive. These assets are associated with positive outcomes for young teens and their parenting adults, explaining more of the differences in outcomes than many demographics and other individual and family characteristics explain. The study blends the perspectives of both teens and their parenting adults to show how a wide range of diverse families experience both strengths and gaps in Family Assets. The framework proposes an ideal—something families might aspire to as a vision for how they live their lives together. In this national study, American families scored an average of 47 out of 100 in the Family Assets Index, suggesting that the vast majority of families have both strengths to celebrate and opportunities to grow stronger together. For more information and to download a copy of the study, go to: www.search-institute.org
.

June 10 - 16, 2012

Volunteering in America 2011

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) hosts the most comprehensive collection of information on volunteering in the U.S. at its Web site: www.VolunteeringInAmerica.gov. The site allows civic leaders, nonprofit organizations, and interested individuals to retrieve a wide range of information regarding trends and demographics in volunteering in their regions, states, and nearly 200 metro areas. Volunteering data has been collected every year since 2002. The current summary document highlights some of the key findings from the new data released in 2011. Key findings include:

	Generation X stepped up their commitment in 2010, giving 2.3 billion hours of service—an increase of almost 110 million hours since 2009.
	Once stereotyped as skeptical and disengaged, Generation X is showing signs of optimism that they can make a difference in their communities through service as they become more connected to local networks through their careers and their children.
	Gen X members have more than doubled their volunteer rate between 1989 and the present day (2010). In 1989, 12.3 percent of Generation X members who were between 16 (the minimum age to participate in the survey) and 24 volunteered with an organization. By 2010, the Gen X volunteer rate had risen to 29.2 percent.1
	The increases in volunteer rates seen among Generation X reflect an observable pattern in volunteering among different age groups that holds true year after year: The volunteer rate tends to be higher in teen years than in early adulthood, when the volunteering rate is typically at its second lowest point after very old age. In the mid- to late twenties, volunteering rates begin to pick up again, growing until they reach a peak around the time of middle age. After middle age, volunteering rates begin to drop as age increases.

For more information, go to: www.volunteeringinamerica.gov
 

June 3 - 9, 2012

Foundation Program Related Investment Trends

According to Key Facts on Mission Investing, a report from the Foundation Center, more foundations are using their investment assets to achieve their missions. One-in-seven surveyed foundations are employing market-rate mission-related investments and/or below-market-rate program-related investments to achieve a social benefit. More than half of those making mission-related investments began doing so within the past five years. Other findings include:

	About one-in-seven surveyed respondents (14.1 percent) currently engage in mission investing, including program related investments (PRIs) and/or market-rate mission related investments (MRIs).
	Among those foundations that engage in mission investing, half hold PRIs, 28 percent invest in both PRIs and MRIs, and less than a quarter (22 percent) hold only MRIs.
	Foundation involvement in mission investing varies by foundation type, with community and independent foundations being more likely to hold mission investments than corporate foundations.

May 27 - June 2, 2012

Giving Circle Trends

Giving circles have emerged over the last decade as a growing and significant philanthropic trend among donors of all wealth levels and backgrounds. Past studies have shown that the number of giving circles has exploded across the country and that they are an established philanthropic force. Donors who participate in giving circles say they give more, give more strategically, and are more knowledgeable about nonprofit organizations and problems their local communities, according to a report released by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. Giving circle members are more likely than other donors to give to organizations serving women and girls, ethnic and minority groups, and for arts, culture and ethnic awareness. They are less likely to give to federated or combined giving funds (such as the United Way) and to religious organizations. The study, which was funded in part by the Aspen Institute Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy Program, examines the impact of giving circles on members’ giving and civic engagement, knowledge and attitudes. The report included a survey of 587 current and past giving circle members and a control group, interviews, and participant observations. To download the full report, go to: www.philanthropy.iupui.edu
 

Week: May 20 - 26, 2012

Nonprofit Communications Trends 2012

Kivi Leroux Miller has authored a report that summarizes results of a communications trends survey of 1,288 nonprofits in November 2011conducted at Nonprofit Marketing Guide.com. Key findings include:

	Only ¼ of nonprofits (24%) have a written and approved marketing plan for 2012. 59% have a written plan or informal notes for themselves only, not formally approved by leadership.
	Email marketing and websites will be the most important communications tools for nonprofits in 2012, followed by Facebook; print (newsletters, direct mail); in-person events; and media relations/PR. These are the Big Six of nonprofit communications.
	The importance of social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, and blogging held steady between 2011 and 2012, with only video gaining in importance.
	Monthly emailing is the most popular frequency for nonprofits at 43%, followed by every other week at 19% and quarterly at 14%. More than three quarters of nonprofits (78%) plan to email their typical supporters at least monthly.
	Quarterly direct mail is the most popular frequency for nonprofits at 39%, followed by twice a year at 31%.
	Only 12% expect to send direct mail to their typical supporters at least monthly.
	Nonprofit communicators are excited about investing in new websites, having real plans in place for the first time, integrating communications channels to increase effectiveness, and using social media to reach new supporters.

To access the report/infographics, go to: nonprofitmarketingguide.com
 

May 13 - 19, 2012

Social Justice Philanthropy Trends

According to a new report from the Foundation Center, a small but important subset of grantmakers — those who work on issues ranging from human rights to environmental justice — has been disproportionately impacted by the global financial crisis and their recovery remains in jeopardy. Diminishing Dollars: The Impact of the 2008 Financial Crisis on the Field of Social Justice Philanthropy examines historical trends in foundation assets, spending, and giving levels; describes strategies used by foundations to cope with depleted assets immediately following the crisis; and presents projections through 2015 for asset and grantmaking levels. Key findings of the study indicate:
 

	Unless the field sees five years of above average investment returns, social justice grantmaking in 2015 will remain below 2008 levels.
	Small foundations (less than $50 million in assets) will struggle the most to recover from the economic downturn.
	Nonprofit organizations seeking new funders will have a difficult time.
	Some foundations are unintentionally depleting their endowments at a very slow rate.

May 6 - 12, 2012

Nonprofit Social Networking Trends

NTEN, Common Knowledge and Blackbaud have released the fourth annual 2012 Nonprofit Social Networking Benchmark Report. The report provides insights for nonprofits, foundations, media and businesses serving the nonprofit sector about the most important behavior and trends surrounding social networking as part of nonprofits’ marketing, communications, fundraising, program and IT work. Key trends include:

	Commercial social network use by respondents has passed well into mainstream adoption leaving a small percentage of late mainstream and laggards to join in.
	Facebook popularity among respondents is at saturation levels, while average community size continues to grow.
	Twitter adoption still growing along with average follower base size.
	LinkedIn popularity is relatively low (compared to Facebook and Twitter) but 2011 saw a sizeable jump in adoption of this channel.
	Many mature (2+ years old) commercial social networking communities continue to grow, while an increasingly smaller number of respondents are just getting started.

To download a copy of the report, go to: nonprofitsocialnetworksurvey.com
 

April 29 - May 5, 2012

Late Fall 2011 Fundraising Trends

April 22 - 28, 2012

Nonprofit Finance Trends

The Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) has released results of its 2012 State of the Nonprofit Sector survey. More than 4,500 respondents at nonprofits across the country shared the details of how they are adapting their organizations and finances to current economic conditions. The survey reveals that while 2011 was a year of significant organizational and programmatic changes, many nonprofits are still facing fundamental challenges that threaten the stability of the sector and the well-being of the people they serve. Key findings include:
 

	85% of nonprofits experienced an increase in the demand for services in 2011.
	This is on top of years of increased demand: previous NFF surveys found that 77% of nonprofits experienced an increase in demand in 2010; 71% experienced an increase in 2009; and 73% experienced an increase in 2008.
	88% expect an increase in demand for services in 2012.
	57% have 3 months or less cash-on-hand.
	87% said their financial outlook won’t get any better in 2012.

April 15 - 21, 2012

Online Advocacy Continues Gaining Momentum

Online advocacy actions grew at a solid 17 percent clip from 2010 to 2011, according to The Convio Online Marketing Nonprofit Benchmark Index™ Study. The fastest growing sectors, each at more than 29 percent, are: Animal Welfare, Environment & Wildlife and Jewish. Advocacy actions are instances of sending some form of written communication to political leaders. In addition to an increase in online advocacy, advocates are also quickly becoming financial supporters of the organizations they support, growing at a 24.6 percent rate -- nearly four times the increase from 2010. Key advocacy findings of the study Include:

	Online legislative advocate counts grew by 17 percent: Overall, 75 percent of the verticals experienced more than 10 percent growth in their number of advocates.
	Animal Welfare, Environment & Wildlife, and Jewish grew the most: The verticals that experienced the greatest growth were Animal Welfare (30.12 percent), Environment & Wildlife (29.23 percent), and Jewish (29.21 percent).
	Donor advocates increased by 24.63 percent. This is nearly a fourfold increase from 2010 when the median change was 6.42 percent.

April 8 - 14, 2012

Nonprofit Fundraising Study: 2012 Outlook

The Nonprofit Research Collaborative (NRC), through its Nonprofit Fundraising Survey, offers the largest national survey of charitable receipts available in the United States and covering an entire calendar year. More than 1,600 organizations answered survey questions in early 2012 about charitable receipts from January through December 2011. Responding groups included large and small organizations (by budget size) and organizations from every subsector, from Arts, Culture & Humanities to Religion. Key findings are summarized here:

	Charitable receipts rose in 2011 at more than half of surveyed organizations
	Six in 10 respondents met their fundraising goal in 2011
	Respondents showed diverse use of fundraising approaches and methods
	Board members at responding charities are usually engaged in fundraising in numerous ways. Several survey respondents offered examples of successful strategies they have used for engaging board members in fundraising.

Survey respondents remain optimistic about prospects for fundraising in 2012, with 71 percent expecting to raise more this year than in 2011. However, when asked about the most important trends or issues that could affect fundraising results either positively or negatively, nearly one-third (31%) mentioned local, national, or global economies as a challenge to raising funds this year. To download a copy of the study, go to: www.nonprofitresearchcollaborative.org
 

April 1 - 7, 2012

Volunteerism and Charitable Giving Trends

To explore volunteer behavior in the United States, the Fidelity® Charitable Gift Fund fielded a telephone survey of 15 minutes in length conducted by Harris Interactive of Princeton, N.J. from October 21 - 25, 2009. A total of 1,005 respondents were polled with an essentially equal proportion of men and women. Key findings include:

	People are volunteering in the U.S. but cynicism exists.
	Volunteers donate significantly more money to nonprofits than non-volunteers and many contribute both time and money.
	Most adults believe true philanthropy means the gift of time and money and are not looking for rewards.
	Many volunteer because it is the right thing to do or to support a cause they care about. The mission of an organization and serving local community needs top the list of choosing where to volunteer.
	Recent economic downturn has made volunteering time more appealing than giving money.
	Some adults are optimistic about increasing their donations in 2010 – especially those under 35.
	Time is the main barrier to volunteering, but trouble finding the right fit is also cited by 3 in 10 adults.

March 25 - 31, 2012

Gaps In Financial Knowledge Challenge Mid-Size Nonprofits

A new survey of financial managers at mid-size nonprofit organizations reveals gaps in their financial knowledge, even as they grapple with economic challenges. The study was conducted by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University to help nonprofits understand and increase their financial knowledge levels and improve their effectiveness. Nonprofits’ knowledge, policies and procedures were studied; some results were positive, while others revealed a clear need for financial education. Nearly half (49 percent) of mid-size nonprofits had less than three months’ worth of cash reserves for operating expenses available. A quarter (26 percent) had four to six months’ worth on hand, while another quarter had more than seven months of operating expenses. Other key findings include:

	Respondents said they were knowledgeable about negotiating with banks or lenders (78 percent), cash flow projections (75 percent) and financial scenario planning (72 percent).
	Only 46 percent reported knowing about debt restructuring.
	Financial literacy increased with the number of courses taken in accounting, economics, operations and financial management, and with the nonprofit’s revenue.
	Boards were involved in accountability (66 percent), but less so in managing investments (38 percent), developing budgets (30 percent) and scenario planning (27 percent).
	Less than 40 percent of nonprofits surveyed had an audit committee.

March 18 - 24, 2012

Charitable Giving Affected by Racial and Age Stereotypes

March 11 -17, 2012

Voluntary Turnover Rates to Double in 2012

March 4 -10, 2012

More Children Living in High Poverty Areas

February 26 - March 3, 2012

Consumer Attitudes Around Social Purpose

The GoodPurpose study is an annual global research published by Edelman, the world’s largest independent public relations firm. The study explores consumer attitudes around social purpose, including their commitment to specific social issues and their expectations of brands and corporations. The survey was conducted in 13 countries among more than 7,000 adults. It is the only global study of its kind. According to the latest study results, while consumers in emerging markets now outrank their peers on several measures of commitment to social purpose, citizens around the world maintain a high level of interest and engagement in cause. For the fourth year running, in all European and North American countries surveyed, purpose is more important than design/innovation or brand loyalty as a purchase trigger. when quality and price are the same. Despite the prolonged recession, two-thirds (66 percent) of global consumers report that they are likely to buy and recommend products and services from companies that support a good cause. Additional Key Findings Include:
 

	Sixty-nine percent of consumers globally believe corporations are in a uniquely powerful position to make a positive impact on good causes—as high as 80 percent in the U.S. and 82 percent in Mexico.
	Nearly two-thirds of global respondents (64 percent) believe it is no longer enough for corporations to give money; they must integrate good causes into their everyday business
	Seventy percent of global consumers say that a company with fair prices that gives back is more likely to get their business than a company that offers deep discounts and doesn’t give back.
	Globally, food and beverage tops the list of industries considered the most involved in good causes, virtually tied with media and healthcare providers.
	“Protecting the environment” ranks as the no. 1 cause that global consumers care about, followed by “improving the quality of healthcare”.
	Globally, 71 percent of consumers believe that projects that protect and sustain the environment can help grow the economy—with even higher numbers for China, Mexico, India, Brazil, and the U.S (87, 81, 81, 79, and 75 percent, respectively

To access the study report, go to: www.goodpurposecommunity.com
 

February 19 - 25, 2012

Engagement Levels of Nonprofit Employees is Dangerously Low

Opportunity Knocks (OK) has released their a report, Engaging the Nonprofit Workforce: Mission, Management and Emotion, and it indicates that the current engagement level of nonprofit employees is dangerously low. According to OK, "55% of respondents plan to continue working for their current employer. Of those planning on leaving their current organization (45%), more than half plan on leaving within the next two years." OK does not consider these low percentages to be surprising. According to their report, nearly half of the respondents of their survey felt that "fulfilling all of their job responsibilities did not improve their chances of being promoted and only one third are satisfied with their pay level." The goal of their report is to better understand the ways in which nonprofit employees are engaged and the impact of employee engagement and disengagement upon employees, nonprofit organizations and communities. To access the complete report, go to: content.opportunityknocks.org
 

February 12 - 18, 2012

State of the Nonprofit Industry

Blackbaud has conducted its State of the Nonprofit Industry survey annually for seven of the past eight years. The study asked nonprofit leaders to report on some of the management strategies they’re using, and the degree to which they anticipate changes in their organizations this year and next. According to the latest survey, although the global economic climate remains uncertain, there is once again a growing sense of optimism in the nonprofit sector regarding growth in staffing and earned and charitable income, especially when looking forward to 2012. At the same time, organizations anticipate an increased demand for services and increased expenditures. The majority of organizations expect to see an increased demand for their services in 2011 and 2012, similar to last year’s study. To meet the projected increase in demand for services, organizations are primarily anticipating either constant or growing staffing levels in 2011 and are slightly more optimistic about increased staffing in 2012. The percentage expecting overall staffing increases coincides with the percentage expecting fundraising staff growth. Similar to overall staffing, organizations expect to maintain or increase fundraising staffing levels in 2011 and 2012. For almost all countries, the percentage expecting fundraising staffing to increase is higher in 2012 than 2011. This reconfirms the finding from last year’s survey that fundraising is emerging as a widely-recognized profession around the globe. It is clear that fundraising is no longer someone’s “part-time” responsibility. For more information, go to: www.blackbaud.com
 

February 5 - 11, 2012

Poverty Spike Very Likely to Worsen

Between 2006 and 2010, poverty increased by 27 percent to include 47.2 million Americans—or 15 percent of the U.S. population. Now, a study released on Wednesday by Indiana University predicts that poverty will continue to worsen in the wake of the recession. The report is based on 2010 poverty statistics, but a combination of factors led the authors to this conclusion. The United States now has the largest number of unemployed people since records started being kept in 1948, and four million of these Americans report being out of work for more than a year. The longer they are out of work, of course, the harder it will be for them to re-enter the workforce. If unemployment insurance benefits are cut before new jobs appear in the market, the numbers of “new poor” will likely swell accordingly. Key findings include:

	The Great Recession has left behind the largest number of long-term unemployed people since records were first kept in 1948.
	Large numbers of Americans are already poor. The official federal measure of poverty and a new “Supplemental Measure,” which accounts for several shortcomings in the official measure, both reveal a sobering fact: poverty in America is remarkably widespread. In 2010, about 46.2 million Americans were living in poverty according to the official measure, or about 15.1% of the U.S. population.
	The adverse effects of the Great Recession would have been much worse had recent policy initiatives not been enacted by Congress.
	The Federal government’s large yearly deficits are creating pressures for spending control that are likely to result in cutbacks of the safety net.
	Due to fiscal pressures, states are already making cuts to the safety net, and more are likely in the next several years.

January 29 - February 4, 2012

Nonprofits Added Jobs Faster Than Businesses Last Decade

Defying two recessions, the nonprofit sector posted a remarkable 10 year record of job growth, achieving an average annual growth rate of 2.1 percent from 2000 to 2010, while for-profit jobs declined by an average of minus 0.6 percent per year, according to a new Johns Hopkins University report. Other findings from the report include:

	The U.S. nonprofit sector employs 15 times more workers than the nation’s mining industry, nearly 10 times more workers than the agriculture industry, and about twice as many workers as the construction industry.
	The vast majority of nonprofit jobs are in three service fields—health care (57 percent), education (15 percent), and social assistance (13 percent).
	During the 2007-2009 recession, nonprofit employment grew in 45 of the 46 states on which state-specific data were available, while for-profit employment declined in 45.
	Nonprofit employment also grew in all regions of the country from 2000 to 2010, with an average annual growth rate that ranged from 1.5 percent in the East South Central region to 3.4 percent in the Mountain region. During this same time span, for-profit employment registered annual average declines in all but two of the regions, and the growth rate in these two was no more than one-seventh as robust as the nonprofit one.
	While nonprofit employment in social assistance grew at an average annual rate of 2.2 percent between 2000 and 2010, for-profit employment in this field grew by an average of 5.4 percent per year. As a result, the nonprofit market share in this field fell from 62 percent in 2000 to 54 percent in 2010. Similarly, for-profit growth outpaced nonprofit growth in education (4.4 percent vs. 2.6 percent) and nursing home care (2.3 percent vs. 1.3 percent).

These findings come from a report presenting previously unavailable data on year-to-year changes in employment in private, nonprofit establishments in the United States from January 2000 through June 2010. The full report, Holding the Fort: Nonprofit Employment during a Decade of Turmoil, which includes charts with state by state data, is available at ccss.jhu.edu
 

January 22 - 28, 2012

Minorities Are More Generous Than Whites, Study Finds

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) released a new report, “Cultures of Giving: Energizing and Expanding Philanthropy by and for Communities of Color” with support from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. This new report shows how the face of philanthropy is rapidly changing to become as ethnically, culturally and socioeconomically diverse as our country’s population, with some of the most significant growth stemming from identity-based philanthropy—a growing movement to spark philanthropic giving from a community on behalf of a community, where “community” is defined by race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. Historically, communities of color receive a small percentage of mainstream philanthropic dollars despite an often disproportionate need. Yet recent trends show that communities of color are giving at increasing rates and levels. For instance, 63 percent of Latino households now make charitable donations, and African Americans give away 25 percent more of their income per year than whites. To download the full report, go to: www.wkkf.org
 

January 15 - 21, 2012

Foundation Funding for Hispanics/Latinos

According to Foundation Funding for Hispanics/Latinos in the United States and for Latin America, released by the Foundation Center in collaboration with Hispanics in Philanthropy, total grant dollars targeting Latinos in the U.S. between 2007 and 2009 averaged about $206 million per year, while funding for Latin America averaged roughly $350 million per year. Human services (27 percent) and health (26 percent) captured the largest shares of grant dollars awarded for Latinos in the U.S. Of the grants targeting Latin America, Mexico and Brazil received the largest shares. Among other key findings in the report:

	The top 10 funders awarding grants for Latinos in the U.S. from 2007 to 2009 accounted for close to 40 percent of grant dollars.
	Recipient organizations in the Western region of the United States received the largest share (42 percent) of foundation dollars intended to benefit Hispanics. Over 80 percent of this funding went to organizations in California.
	The largest share of grant dollars for Latin America was for the environment and animals (33 percent), followed by international affairs (20 percent).
	Roughly half of funding for Latin America went directly to recipient organizations located in Latin America, while the other half was awarded through U.S.-based international programs.

January 8 - 14, 2012

Key Predictions and Trends for the Nonprofit Sector in 2012

Convio announced its key predictions and expected trends that will have the biggest impact on the nonprofit sector in 2012: social and mobile continuing to mature; peer-to-peer engagement having greater influence; and donors dictating terms of interaction. Key Predictions and Trends for the Nonprofit Sector in 2012 include:

	Online fundraising was up 40 percent from 2009. Online will continue as the fastest growing giving channel.
	Online's influence outside of transactions is growing as older donors engage in web-based communications and advocacy.
	Acceleration in new media channels and devices (social and mobile) will have significant increase in material importance for nonprofits.
	Direct communications by nonprofit organizations will have less impact on the giving decisions of donors than in years past.
	Donors will increasingly rely on referrals and guidance from friends, family and co-workers to make decisions, particularly the younger generations.
	Nonprofits will want to tap their most vocal and loyal supporters to be active promoters.
	Information overload will continue as individuals receive mail, email and other communications from marketers with increasing intensity, making it challenging for nonprofits to have their messages heard.
	Text messages, RSS feeds, tweets and Facebook posts only compound the problem.
	Tailored communications that resonate with donors will be critical.
	Nonprofit supporters want to be able to define and customize how they are communicated to (e.g. go paperless, set frequency of emails and filter for content).
	The burden of expectation for nonprofits is being set by the for-profit sector.

January 1 - 7, 2012

State Budget Losses Expected to Cause Problems for Nonprofits Through 2013

Despite signs the economy is improving, nonprofits that rely on state money should brace for at least two more years of tough times, a new report warns. The report, prepared by Changing Our World, a philanthropy consulting firm, traces the evolution of the economic crisis, assesses its impact on state budgets, and explores whether philanthropy can make up for the loss of government spending on social programs.

The report offers the following tips to help nonprofits respond to the current economic downturn and prepare for the next one:

	Tap unemployed people to work as volunteers, possibly with an honorarium. The organization benefits from their experience while they gain a position that will make them more attractive to potential employers.
	When raising money, emphasize the positive. Instead of saying the organization is hurting financially, explain the impact a gift could make. Develop a strategy for measuring results if one does not already exist to be prepared for the next crisis.
	Consider adding to the board people who have financial expertise and relevant government experience.
	Get educated about domestic and international business and economic trends. Read the Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal.
	Set up a board committee that meets when an economic measure, like unemployment or consumer confidence, hits a designated number.
	Make sure no more than 60 percent of any program’s budget comes from government money.

To view 2011 Trends of the Week, click here.

To view 2010 Trends of the Week, click here.

To view 2009 Trends of the Week, click here.

To view 2008 Trends of the Week, click here.

To view 2007 Trends of the Week, click here.

To view 2006 Trends of the Week, click here.

To view 2005 Trends of the Week, click here.

To view 2004 Trends of the Week, click here.