Connecting with donors
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has published a report entitled, ‘How to Connect with Donors’. It has found that sophisticated donors want charities to demonstrate their effectiveness and to adopt new forms of communication.
Over 200 CAF and non-CAF donors, in an online survey, were asked for their views on how the recession affects charities and what they thought charities could do to alleviate the effects of the recession.
The survey revealed that:
- 77% of donors felt that charities should change the way they communicate with them, suggesting that social networking and emailing should be used.
- 85% think charities should be partnering with other charities.
- 94% think that charities should demonstrate their efficiency to weather the recession.
- 92% think that charities need to ensure that they are showing the impact of their work to donors.
- 86% think that charities should review their finances and 85% felt that they should demonstrate their transparency.
Donors also recommended ideas which would help charities secure new sources of income:
- 82% suggested an increase in the use of volunteers.
- 75% suggested applying for more grants.
- 69% suggested asking for a donation of goods.
- 53% suggested dedicating more resources for fundraising.
The full report can be downloaded from http://www.cafonline.org/connectdonors.
Should you have any queries on connecting with donors, please contact our charities expert and a senior manager Wendy Bambrick on 01727 869141 or a member of our charities and the not-for-profit team.
