An “Obama Effect” On Fundraising?
I’ve been wondering whether there will be an "Obama Effect" on nonprofit fundraising.
Will the enthusiasm about President Obama in so many quarters translate somehow into increased charitable giving? Although it would be awfully hard to prove, I think it might, for three reasons:
1. For many, Obama has supplied a booster shot of hope, addressing a yearning that serious problems can and will be addressed. That hope releases a gazillion ergs of citizen energy in support of renewed personal commitments to act. And those nonprofits that are identified and appreciated as channels to accomplish real change will benefit from that surge in energy.
2. But even while stirring hope, Obama is consistent in his message that we all must be part of the solutions. We all must help shoulder the load. So hope is tightly bound with individual responsibility. If he stays on that formulation from the Presidential pulpit — and there’s no sign that he won’t — he will provide a constant prod on the conscience and natural instincts of most Americans.
3. And I do mean most Americans, for I believe Obama has done nothing since his election that should breed or feed anger or resistance among Americans who did not support his quest. If he manages to enforce in practice (and this means his senior staff and appointees as well) his determination to reach out and engage beyond partisan lines, as exemplified by his behavior toward John McCain, his impact on people who truly want to address and resolve problems will spread far and wide … it will be apolitical.
So absolutely, I do think there will be a positive "Obama Effect" on nonprofit fundraising. It might not fully counter the harsh realities of recession, but it will certainly put most donors in a more positive, more receptive emotional state of mind. Thanks to Obama, gigawatts of fresh energy (and dollars) await out there to be harnessed by nonprofits.
Do you agree?
Tom
P.S. Here’s the example of Joe Marchese, as he stood on the Mall.
6 responses to “An “Obama Effect” On Fundraising?”
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Hi Tom,
Yes I do agree. Particularly with your point that people want to act they just need to feel like it will make a difference. More important than every for us all to make sure that our organization is the one that “accomplishes real change”.
I was particularly taken with Martin Luther Kind day rebranding as a “Day of Service”. Very powerful stuff.
Kimberley
The potentially problematic “Obama Effect” might be some sense that he’s going to take care of things. Problem solved. No need to lobby for our cause. Mission accomplished.
People give money to defeat demons, and BHO’s election removes the biggest demon that liberal fundraisers have had in my memory: an administration whose actions and policies ran counter to every progressive aim and ideal.
Let’s be careful to make it clear to donors that Obama can do only so much and that, in fact, his inauguration address was very clear that “it’s up to US!” … including the progressive nonprofit sector… to turn things around and dig us out of this pit. (More thoughts on my website.)
One thing I have been thinkign about as a parallel “Obama effect” is whether his campaign is going to influence nonprofit fundraisers to more fully embrace online and social media as fundraising tools with the validity and respect given to DM.
We have already seen clients expressing more interest, and I believe this stems from the tremendous fundraising success the Obama campaign had online, and in particular, the success it had engaging demographic groups other than youngsters online.
While I certainly rejoice that a nation like ours elected a minority I have doubts that Obama will mean anything different in terms of giving by the rank and file. I so hope I am wrong. Yesterday’s article by Arthur Brooks in the Wall Street Journal should serve as a sober warning. You can read it by going to http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123258358706104403.html
In my experience what motivates people to give is first and foremost a compelling vision. Perhaps Obama can do that for the left. Conservatives long ago found the joy of giving. The question is will Obama be able to get his side of the aisle to do like wise? When his own charitable giving was so low before he ran for president one has to wonder? He can start with motivating Joe Biden to increase his charitable gifts!
One would hope the Obama effect is to get people to open pockets. Maybe for some. But, I worry about those who say
I can keep my money now, because he will address our problems with vigor and solve them. What’s the fund raising curve look like in the first year of any new president?. That’s data for comparison.
Thanks to Mark Brooks for the link to the WSJ article on conservative vs. liberal giving. Insightful and informative article. I think there’s a natural leap to assume that the historical fundraising success of this election would signal that liberal giving is more generous. Interesting to see that data leans opposite. I will be sharing this article with colleagues. Thanks for the tip!