Donor Demographics

Kellogg Foundation Issues New Study Showing Demographic Changes In Giving
January 18, 2012

W.K. Kellogg Foundation 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 changing rapidly 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.

Philanthropy runs deep for African-Americans
October 24, 2011

The book "Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists" fulfills a long-standing dream of its author, Charlotte resident Valaida Fullwood, who with photographer Charles W. Thomas Jr. has assembled more than 60 stories of residents who have demonstrated that giving time, talent and treasure is as much a privilege as it is a central component to African-American community life.

"African-Americans have a legacy and history of giving that extends back centuries," Fullwood said. "Giving circles, where individuals in the community pool their contributions, are an extension of that charitable heritage."

The Future of Fundraising
August 1, 2011

I'm going out on a limb to predict the future of fundraising. Here's my take on four key trends that will dramatically change our field in 31 years.

Study tracks donor types, causes they fund
June 17, 2011

Different kinds of donors tend to support different kinds of charitable causes, a new study says.

Only a minority of religious donors support specifically religious work through nonprofits, for example, while black donors are twice as likely as white donors to support higher education, and the causes people choose to support often are quite dependent on their political views, says Heart of the Donor, a study commissioned by Russ Reid and conducted by Grey Matter Research & Consulting.

Hispanics and Blacks More Likely Than Whites to Support Causes Online, Survey Finds
June 2, 2011

Ethnicity plays a role in how people perceive charitable and political causes they encounter on social networks and whether they go on to get involved with those causes, a new survey finds.

Out of 2,000 participants in the survey, 30 percent of black adults and 39 percent of Hispanics said they were more likely to support online causes rather than causes they encountered offline; 24 percent of whites said the same. The study was released by Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication and Ogilvy PR, a public-relations company.

Segment Snapshots
June 1, 2011

Different donor segments respond in different ways to different approaches. Successful fundraisers know that nuances in messaging can mean the difference between a gift and a gaffe.