Donor behaviour – Critical Fundraising

OPINION Will you still love me tomorrow? Who will be the the real donors of the next 50 years?

In the face of a “generational time bomb”, the recent ‘Tomorrow’s Donor, Today’ research challenges fundraising norms and advocates for radical changes. However, Giles Pegram takes issue with the research’s fundamental assumption, and asks if it risks becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

NEW THINKING: New typology identifies different ways charities can be cut out of the processes of giving and asking for donations

Explores how the ‘traditional charity model’ is disintermediated by individuals, companies and other types of charity
Each type of disintermediation raises its own ethical and regulatory issues, which have barely begun to be addressed
Disintermediated giving is a lot more than just donating via crowdfunding platforms.

Why donor codes of conduct must become ubiquitous

Rogare has recently published a code of conduct for donors. Although published as part of our work on gender issues in fundraising, Ian MacQuillin argues that such codes have wider relevance.

NEW THINKING: Blog digest – November/December 2022

Each month, the Critical Fundraising blog presents a digest of the best fundraising-related blogs and articles from the previous month that have adopted a critical fundraising mode of thought. This month we have a double edition as the editor got Covid and was not able to compile the November digest.

Inclusion in this digest does not indicate that Rogare agrees with any arguments presented, only that we thought they made a good case.

The ‘wildcard blog’ is a blog that does not discuss ideas that are directly related to fundraising, but whose ideas we might be able to use if we think critically and imaginatively about them.

NEW THINKING: Blog digest – October 2022

Each month, the Critical Fundraising blog presents a digest of the best fundraising-related blogs and articles from the previous month that have adopted a critical fundraising mode of thought.

Inclusion in this digest does not indicate that Rogare agrees with any arguments presented, only that we thought they made a good case.

The ‘wildcard blog’ is a blog that does not discuss ideas that are directly related to fundraising, but whose ideas we might be able to use if we think critically and imaginatively about them.

NEW THINKING: Blog digest – March 2022

Each month, the Critical Fundraising blog presents a digest of the best fundraising-related blogs and articles from the previous month that have adopted a critical fundraising mode of thought.

Inclusion in this digest does not indicate that Rogare agrees with any arguments presented, only that we thought they made a good argument.

BOOK REVIEW: You say you want a revolution

Philanthropy Revolution: How to inspire donors, build relationships and make a difference, by Lisa Greer and Larissa Kostoff.

Philanthropist Lisa Greer has said she wants to create a philanthropic revolution. But Ian MacQuillin says her ideas are anything but revolutionary, and ignore the responsibilities incumbent on donors in building ethical relationships with fundraisers.

KNOWLEDGE: More critical thinking at the Ask Direct Summer School

Another week, another conference. This time, it’s the Summer School, devised, hosted and run by Rogare Associate Member Ask Direct. Now in its third year, the event will take place at Trinity College in Dublin on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 July.

KNOWLEDGE: Exercise your critical thinking skills at the IoF convention this year

If you spend a day at the Institute of Fundraising’s national convention at the Barbican from July 2-4, you’re almost certainly guaranteed to come away with some top practical tips that you can implement in your fundraising on your very next day back in the office.

KNOWLEDGE: A deep dive into professional knowledge at AFP I-Con in New Orleans

Rogare identifies the sessions at AFP I-Con that explore issues in fundraising from a critical thinking perspective.