Study Illustrates the Potential of Holiday Charitable Giving

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The recently released Liberty Mutual 2010 Responsible Giving Survey of 1,000 nationwide adults illustrates future potential for holiday giving to your department. Among the highlights of the survey are:

1. 81% appreciate charitable donations given on their behalf in lieu of a physical gift.

2. 74% would volunteer their time to charity as a gift if they knew others would value this non-traditional giving.

3. 55% believe it is more responsible to make a donation to charity on behalf of someone than to purchase a gift for them.

You may learn more about the Liberty Mutual Responsibility Project here. 

How can you apply these insights to your department?

1. Starting in November, use your existing communication vehicles to make sure those closest to your department know they have the option of making a holiday gift in honor of or in memory of someone. Announce this option at a membership meeting. Provide clear information on how the gift will be used.

2. When you are blessed enough to receive such a gift, provide a physical letter or note of appreciation back to the donor. If the donor would like, provide the same information to the person the gift honors. 

3. Consider how you might use the holiday season to appeal to the community on the forever impact they can have if they become a member of your department. You can find a seven minute recruiting video example from the Greenwich Fire Department here. 

What holiday giving success stories do you have to share from your department? Share them in the comments below.

Women Connected to Your Department: Limitless Potential

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The role of women in most fire departments continues to expand. Congratulations to everyone on this progress!

As an October 2010 study from the University of Indiana Center on Philanthropy illustrates, the role of women in making donations to worthwhile nonprofits like yours offers limitless potential. The study analyzed the giving habits of 8,000 single-headed US households.

A couple highlights of the report: 

1. Across income levels, women give more frequently and at higher amounts to charity than men in similar circumstances. The higher the income level, the higher the gap between female and male donations.

2. Women generally spread out their donation to more charities where men tend to focus on gifts to a smaller total number of nonprofits. 

3.  Community causes are the second highest charitable sector women are more likely to donate to than men.

You may download the entire University of Indiana report at this link.

Other previously-released studies have reinforced the significant impact women have on the giving decisions made by couples. 

What lessons can you apply from this report to your fundraising efforts?

1. Women-headed households are absolutely worthy prospects for increasing your donor base with entry-level gifts for your department's fundraising campaign.

2. Never overlook using the full preferred names of the women in the households who donate to your critical public safety efforts. The listing on a check or the information entered in an online donation form are great places to verify this information. 

3. Your current or previous women donors may be a source of volunteer support for your department. If serving as a member isn't a fit, you may offer a fit for women to help in caring for and staying in touch with your existing donors.

For a more direct commentary on this topic, visit a blog from Tony Martignetti here. 

Looking for assistance in crafting your fundraising message for 2011? Contact FlashPoint Fundraising today to discuss communications services that clearly and concisely demonstrate your department's incredible impact on your community.