Fundraising and Technology; at last a report that explains the partnership

The intense changes in technology over the last decade have unquestionably impacted the way we conduct business and our communication in general. Even as people are coming to terms with one new media the next is under development or already released, technology has provided not only the improvements but also the learning curve that is hard to have envisaged ten years ago. Fundraising, like any other sector of the marketplace is being exposed to brand new methods to accomplish goals and tasks and in many cases provides the ideal testing ground for some progressive networking tools.

Now let me preface this with the fact that at best I try and manage/cope with new  technology, I can’t begin to be a geek about it nor am I entirely satisfied (yet) with my understanding of how new technology works and what it is really capable of delivering. Perhaps, like some of you reading this I find that the generation that follows me see technology as a very natural aid to seemingly every daily task whereas I tend to see it as something new that I need to then put aside additional time to learn. There may be also some of you who wonder just how much technology is changing the landscape especially as it relates to fundraising and what knowledge should I equip myself with. The report I wanted to link to today answers more questions of that nature than any other single document I’ve read this year. If any of these fundraising questions have been rolling around in your list of ‘more information needed’ recently, than I think this analysis will be of great value to you.

• What percentage of giving has truly moved to the online environment?
• Is the internet reslly helping to match donors with their ideal cause?
• How best to cast your online net wider and still find ideal support?
• Is ‘networking’ as efficient and simplistic as is it often portrayed?
• Can the internet level the playing field better allowing your nonprofit to source new support?
• What does crowdsourcing  really mean and how will it aid your organization?

These and many other topics are tackled by the weighty 52 page document entitled “Disrupting Philanthropy, Technology and the future of the Social Sector“. The report has just been released by the Duke Sanford School of Public Policy. The value in the report is the richness of the analysis that is prepared and presented. Rather than endless statistics and cold conclusions, the document takes a historic look at where fundraising was, where it is now and exactly where it is heading. All of this analysis underpinned by the impact of new technologies. A series of clearly explained case studies allow a clearer vision of what tools were used and the methodology with which they were used. Well thought out assessments of social media and the role it can potentially play are delivered with a design that delivers understanding with practical applications. In truth I think this should be required reading for your non profit, the quality of the content worthy of placement in an educational book.

Co-Authors Lucy Bernholz and Edward Skloot also share substantial pedigrees in philanthropy which lends weight and practical applications to the tone of the document. There are some broad statements about the value of technology but in each case the supporting evidence is more fulfilling than other things I’ve been reading. In short they see technology as having been trans-formative to the fundraising industry and with the information on offer it would be hard to disagree.

As a leading provider of call centre and supporting services to the fundraising industry, Miratel Solutions is your ideal partner in an expertly managed fundraising campaign. As such we’ll continue to bring you pertinent fundraising information to help your organization prosper.