The FAB, Fundraisers Alliance Belgium, conducted a survey amongst its members and database on how their fundraising has evolved since the start of the Coronacrisis. 39% of responding fundraisers noticed a drop in fundraising incomes the last months, 35,5% noticed a rise (compared to the same period last year). Almost half of the fundraisers indicate that they are pessimistic about their fundraising results in the next few months. They are also worried about the continuation of corporate partnerships as of 2021.
Existing donors stay loyal to the organisation
When we look at the donor retention, the rates are good. Only 3,32% says there has been a drop in existing donors. 19,35% didn’t know whether existing donors dropped out or not.
As for the number of new donors, 32,3% noticed a rise and 32,3% noticed a drop. 25,80% did not know whether the number of new donors changed.
Only 19,35% of the respondents indicates that there has been an increase in the number of requests for information on legacies. 22,6% has noticed a decline in the number of requests.
Pessimism about fundraising in short term
Almost half of the respondents (48,4%) is rather pessimistic about the way their income from fundraising will evolve in the next few months.
Hard to attract new donors for International Help during Corona
26,7% of the fundraisers that filled in the survey collect funds for an organisation in healthcare. Only 25% of these healthcare organisations saw their incomes through fundraising rise. 37,5% saw their incomes through fundraising drop.
23,3% of the responding fundraisers work for organisations in International Help. 71,4% of these fundraisers indicate that their number of new donors has dropped during the Coronacrisis.
Overall the fundraisers working for organisations in education and wellbeing have seen either a drop or no changes in their number of existing or new donors. For the coming months they expect either a drop or no changes in their incomes through fundraising.
In the chart below you can see what kind of organisations the responding fundraisers work for.
Creativity and hands-on mentality are vital in these times
Fundraising has in many ways changed. Most organisations have continued to do their utmost best to reassure their fundraising during this crisis by continuing their fundraising methods that were not compromised by the COVID19 lockdown (Direct Mailing, Digital fundraising, Telemarketing, …). Face to face encounters were replaced by phone calls and e-mails. Creativity and a hands-on mentality were vital in changing directions in fundraising during these challenging times.
10 inspiring or recognizable quotes on respondents' experience as fundraisers during the COVID19-crisis:
“Crises always affect the most vulnerable in society. As a fundraiser, a crisis needs to challenge you to do even better, as the mission of the charity you work for becomes even more relevant.”
“Unusual times provide us the opportunity to test an unusual approach. This brings with it a creativity and vitality that can also turn out positive. As an organisation, you are obliged to critically examine yourself and your approach.”
“An extra downside to the crisis is that I now need to give more attention to the organisation, in terms of rebudgeting. Which gives me frustrations in not being able to spend more time on my donors.”
“The needs in Belgium have risen, so donations for other countries have dropped.”
“This period is forcing us to be creative, reactive and finally everybody agreed on the importance of developing more digital tools, campaigns and events as well.”
“I believe that corporate sponsorship will be under a lot more pressure as of 2021.”
“We need to be open to innovation at all times, but now more than ever we are forced to explore new tracks.”
“The silver lining is that there is now more time to invest in personal contact and relationship management.”
“A time full of opportunities. When there is solidarity, the possibilities are endless.”
“There is now more time for reflection, strategic planning and putting thought into adapting to the new reality and expectations of donors.”
*The survey was conducted the last week of May and first week of June.There were 30 respondents.
