Philanthropy News

Given recent economic developments, we share with you Marts & Lundy’s collective thinking on common sense recommendations for moving your philanthropic initiatives forward during difficult times:

Be pro-active.  Stay in touch with key donors and prospective donors – now is a time to reach out, not to retreat;

Be alert.  Understand that some individuals are being impacted significantly by current conditions (both negatively and positively) and others are not – adjust conversations and requests accordingly;

Be discriminating.  Sharpen the case for philanthropic support and focus on institutional priorities that are central to advancing the mission of your organization and that are viewed by donors as essential priorities;

Be flexible.  For some individuals, long-term commitments will be unrealistic but gift decisions one year at a time will be possible – for others, there will be little or no change in how they consider major requests;

Be resolute.  Time may become more of a variable in achieving gift objectives and/or campaign goals – simply reducing expectations and/or goals rarely benefits institutions or those who care deeply about advancing the institution;

Be observant.  Seeing the institution through the eyes of the prospective donor often provides the insights and the sensitivities required to move relationships and gift requests forward;

Be knowledgeable.  Focus on what is at stake, or at risk, for the institution that is central to its mission and its aspirations – discuss serious issues confronting the institution and avoid “fund-raising talk” that diminishes the importance of the visit and the request;

Be patient.  Most philanthropic initiatives have a longer life span than the ups and downs of most economic cycles.