Ideas and Issues In Fundraising

As a donor, or someone considering becoming a donor, it is valuable to be aware of the current issues around fundraising and some of the philosophies behind it. Below are some ideas and concepts we have collected for you to look at.

Misconceptions about charity spending

Investing for effective impact

West NH’s auditor, PWC, developed this report, which explores the issue of overhead ratios.

“We shouldn’t use overhead ratios to tell us how much impact an organization is having. Instead, we should use overhead ratios to help us understand the bigger picture, that is, to help us ask questions about why and how an organization is making a difference and what resources it needs to be succesful”

Read the whole report here: Investing for effective impact: Changing donor perceptions about not-for-profit efficiency in Canada

The Overhead Myth

A piece on “The Overhead Myth” written by Art Taylor, President & CEO, BBB Wise Giving Alliance; Jacob Harold, President & CEO,GuideStar; and Ken Berger, President & CEO,Charity Navigator.

Some wise words on giving

Eight Levels of Giving
By Maimonides (12th century)

1. Giving an interest-free loan to a person in need; forming a partnership with a person in need; giving a grant to a person in need; finding a job for a person in need; so long as that loan, grant, partnership, or job results in the person no longer living by relying upon others.

2. Giving anonymously to an unknown recipient via a person (or public fund) which is trustworthy, wise, and can perform acts with your money in a most impeccable fashion.

3. Giving anonymously to a known recipient.

4. Giving publicly to an unknown recipient.

5. Giving before being asked.

6. Giving after being asked.

7. Giving willingly, but inadequately.

8. Giving “in sadness” (giving out of pity): It is thought that Maimonides was referring to giving because of the sad feelings one might have in seeing people in need (as opposed to giving because it is a religious obligation). Other translations say “Giving unwillingly.”