1. Sister Vickie Perkins listened as Dennis Chapman described how City Union Mission was able to leverage an Internet presence into increased donations. | 2. Mark Litzler commented on the incredible generosity of the Kansas City community, as David Miles listened in. | 3. Pat McCown said funders needed to make sure their goals align with non-profits' actions.


Shifts in the Environment

Denny Barnett asked whether the donor landscape had been shifting in the current economic storm.

Saint Luke’s Hospital Foundation is seeing about 12 percent more donors this year than last, which was itself a record year, said the foundation’s executive director and CEO, Mark Litzler. On the down side, however, the foundation is not getting the same participation from upper-level donors that it enjoyed in the past.

“I would say that is consistent at what we are seeing at Catholic Charities,” affirmed Jan Lewis. She has been encouraged to see the people that her organization helped in years past come in now as donors, even if the amounts are small.

“It is a generous community we live in,” agreed Litzler. He observed that only the depletion of assets had prevented the larger donors from contributing as they once did.

Brad Leech, vice president for resource development for Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, observed that they have had to focus attention on maintaining “great relationships” with those “balance sheet donors” who were most adversely affected by the economy.

David Smith pointed out that 40 percent of individuals will give to a new cause, depending on who asks them. “I don’t see any end to the potential,” said Smith. “It is a factor of how many people you can ask.”

Michelle Davis, of Nonprofit Connect, believes that one way to reach more donors is to work with staff to make them more efficient and effective in their roles.

The United Way of Greater Kansas City set a goal this year to broaden its base by adding 25,000 donors. “I am proud to say we are on track to meet that projection,” said Steve Swymeler, vice president of its Workplace Campaign. Donors in the past who were specific with their designations, Swymeler observed, have been more flexible this year to help the United Way meet pressing community needs.

Richard Wetzel, whois involved with Impact KC, agreed that philanthropies are seeing a lot more smaller, newer donors. “The challenge,” he added, “is how to get the $50 donor to be the $500 donor next year.”

 

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