Tom Wilson is vice president and regional manager for Campbell & Company, a consulting firm specializing in fundraising efforts for nonprofits. As the Foundation’s fundraising consultant for the Creating Smiles… Changing Lives campaign, Tom has been an invaluable resource in helping the Foundation set strategic goals in all areas of the campaign efforts.
Giving to the CDA Foundation in an Uncertain Economy By Tom Wilson
These are interesting times...too interesting.
Given the economic uncertainty, how is the CDA Foundation doing in its fundraising for Friends and special projects? How are other nonprofit organizations doing in their work of finding support?
The CDA Foundation ended 2008 with a 38% increase in new donors and a 17% increase in individual giving, showing strong support for the CDA Foundation’s three key initiatives for increasing access to care:
1) Student Loan Repayment Grant program,
2) CDA Foundation Grant program, and
3) Direct Services for the Underserved.
Nearly 250 donors are now Friends of the CDA Foundation, giving annual gifts of $1,000 - $15,000. Nineteen Friends also upgraded their giving level, representing over $50,000 in additional gifts to the CDA Foundation.
Furthermore, several planned estate gifts through IRA designation and simple bequest will help to assure the future of our mission.
To put things in a historical perspective, consider these facts:
After 9/11, the late fall and spring of 2001-02 was a “nuclear winter” for fundraising. But, one university’s campaign started on 9/11 and $400 million over goal
In October 1987, the stock market lost 22% of its value in one day
Unemployment rate today is 6.1%, in 1982 it was 11%
From 1972-75, the inflation rate was 55%
In October of 2008, the stock market was at the same level it was five years ago
This is exciting news for CDA Foundation. But, how are others doing in this strange economy?
Stanford University just announced two spectacular gifts of $50 million and $40 million to help fund a new sustainability institute. The University of Chicago just received a $300 million gift to name the Booth School of Business. And many organizations are finding what CDA Foundation has discovered, donors who understand the mission and impact of the organization are willing to keep up their support.
For some people, especially retired dentists, a cash gift this year may not be possible. Now is a great time to consider a planned estate gift to CDA Foundation and your other primary charities. If you’re 55 and older, make sure you have a will and have updated it in the past five years.
Thanks for your support of CDA Foundation this past year.
