281 | Can fundraisers create an equation that increases giving?

281 | Can fundraisers create an equation that increases giving?

The Fundraising Talent Podcast, a production of Responsive Fundraising

I have enjoyed getting to know Brian Gawor, CFRE and am eagerly awaiting the next time I’m in Indy so that, as we did just a few months before the pandemic, we can enjoy great food and drinks as we banter about how to fix all of fundraising’s problems. Brian, now Vice President for Research at Ruffalo Noel Levitz, has been an annual giving and major gift officer and hosts the Fundraising Voices podcast. Lately, he has been asking if we can build an equation that increases giving? As Brian shared with us today, The Donation Equation combines six factors drawn from top industry insights that have been shown to increase the chance a donor will give to your organization.

Rather than getting too deep into the weeds on Brian’s equation, I asked whether his tool contributes to what I see as the emergence of a field approach to developing fundraising expertise. Because of the nature of our work, and noting where fundraisers say they have had their most valuable learning experiences, I believe many of us are ready to toss out the early twentieth century guide to professional development and look for alternative paths to mastering our craft. I’m routinely hearing that, rather than being enchanted by the technical wizardry that is easily taught in the classroom, many young professionals would prefer a more hands-on approach that is complemented by tools like Brian’s which can facilitate learning in the field.

As always, we are especially grateful to our friends at CueBack for sponsoring The Fundraising Talent Podcast.

As always, we are grateful to CueBack for sponsoring The Fundraising Talent Podcast.