Donor Confidence Down, Report Finds

October 5, 2010 By Joe Boland

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The most recent Donor Confidence Report by marketing research firm Campbell Rinker shows that donor confidence is the lowest since 2008.

According to the report, which was compiled from survey answers by 510 nonprofit organizations across every sector, the overall Donor Confidence Index (DCI) fell 3.2 points between June and August of this year to 86.5, the lowest score since December 2008. During that time frame, the DCI dropped in every sector, with political and advocacy causes, international relief and development groups, and faith-based charities seeing the steepest declines.

Here are more findings from the report:

• According to an August Gallup Poll, 82 percent of Americans still think the economy is in recession, mirroring the DCI.
• Donor confidence has dropped among both men and women since June.
• The DCI declined among four out of five income levels (less than $35,000; $35,000-$49,999.99; $50,000-$74,999.99; $75,000-$99,999.99; and $100,000+), with the largest decreases seen in the lowest and highest income categories. Only donors earning $50,000 to $74,999.99 had a slight gain in confidence.
• Pre-baby boomers have the highest DCI, while boomers have the lowest.
• Expected giving remains flat — 52 percent of respondents plan to give the same amount in the most recent year, 20 percent plan to give less and 17 percent plan to give more.
• 44 percent of respondents rate U.S. charities as doing "a good job," while 43 percent rate them "fair."
• Fewer donors expect economic gains soon.
• 49 percent of donors say unexpected expenses have had a negative effect on their giving.

To dig deeper on individual fundraising sector findings and view the entire report, click here.

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