Prior to our last issue, the Planned Giving Pulse asked our readers to respond to an informal poll regarding Annual Fund Drives. Please Note:  This is an unscientific survey.

Respondents answered the following questions:

1.  What % increase or decrease did your organization raise over last year?

Ø      71% of respondents reported an increase in funds raised over last year.

Ø      14.5% reported a decrease

Ø      14.5% reported maintaining their level of funds raised

The average increase reported was 29%.  Increases ranged from as low as 4% to as high as 100% over last year.  The average decrease reported was 3%.

“Our results in all aspects of annual giving were flat, taking an additional 500 gifts to raise the same amount of money as last year – ‘working harder for less.’  Overall, because of a peak year for bequests, we did raise 46% more in total income over last year.  Planned giving is where it’s at for our organization.”  - Pat Snyder, Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care of Santa Barbara.

No respondents to the survey answered the questions regarding the approximate total number of gifts in 2004 or indicated the average size of gifts.

2.  Is your outlook for fundraising optimistic or pessimistic for 2005?

Very positive: 20%   Positive: 56%   Neutral:  20%  Negative:  4%

“We are very optimistic that we will be able to raise $5 million for three new Hospice Houses during 2005.  We have only had word of mouth and newspaper articles and people in two county areas we serve, some who have not made gifts before, have come forward to make gifts as high as $50,000.00.” – Robert A. “Skip” Hansen, D.Min.CFRE, Hospice of Lake & Sumter Foundation, Tavares Florida.

2004 was a difficult year, particularly in relation to foundation giving.  We did very well in every other category.  We anticipate 2005 will be a better year, but not by much.  The key is not so much the economy as crafting the most appealing message, finding the right prospects, conducting cultivation activities, and matching prospects to the appropriate solicitors – same old, same old challenge.”  - Barbara S. Rosenthal, North Coast Community Homes, Cleveland, Ohio.

“It’s tough out there but I see light and a renewing involvement.”  - Ronald L. Zoet, Grand Rapids, Youth Commonwealth, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Overall, two themes emerged:  Fundraisers are optimistic about 2005 and secondly, planned giving emerged as an essential fundraising tool.  The quote below illustrates the growing importance of gift planning to our profession.

“Our situation is a little different because St. Vincent’s acute care hospital closed in March.  Even though it will be redeveloped into three kinds of senior housing, and the Foundation raises funds for three long term care facilities under the umbrella of St. Vincent’s, we expect that our donor base will drop over 2005.  However, we had a banner year in 2004 for planned gifts, raising 100% increase from the budget for 2004, and with current estates in probate, we expect that we will stay on budget for 2005.”  - Ann Wreford, St. Vincent’s/Holy Family Hospital Foundations.

Thank you to all who responded to this survey.  We hope that our subscribers found it interesting.

Please Note:  This is an unscientific survey.