As nonprofits rush to put the final touches on year-end fundraising campaigns, what financial returns should they expect for Quarter 4 in 2010? The Donor Confidence Report by Campbell Rinker which surveyed over 500 U.S. donors asked whether donors expected to 
give the same amount, more, or less in 2010 compared with 2009. 52 percent said they expect to give the same amount. 29 percent plans to give less and 17 percent plans to give more.
According to the report, the overall Donor Confidence Index (DCI) fell 3.2 points between June and August 2010, to 86.5, the lowest score since December 2008. "The Index takes into account donors’ self reported expectations about their giving, their view of the nonprofit sector, the nation’s economic health, and several other factors."
The reports results aren’t very surprising considering 82% of American’s still feel that the economy is in a recession, according to a Gallup Poll from August 2010.
The Confidence Index declined among four out of five income levels, with the largest decreases seen in the lowest and highest income categories. Interestingly, donors earning income between $50K-$75K were the only ones to have a slight gain in confidence.
More Stats to Note:
- About half of all American donors say that unexpected expenses have had a negative effect on their giving.
- Pre-boomers are more confident from a donor perspective than older generations.
- Boomers remain the age group with the lowest confidence level; this group’s confidence score fell 3.9 points to 81 in August.
- As we enter into mid term elections, note that 53 percent of donors are dissatisfied with the country’s direction up from 6 percent last year.
- 12 percent of donors expect the economy to decline even further in 2011.
Sector Statistics:
Education
- Despite the bad economy, the Educational sector remains untouched by donor confidence. The average Consumer Index score is 88.
Animal Rights
- 27 percent plan to donate less this year to the Animal Rights sector. 47% plan to donate the same amount as in 2009.
Environment
- 30 percent of donors plan to donate less to the Environmental sector then in 2009. 23 percent plan to donate more.
Arts and Culture
- The Arts and Culture sector fell 4.8 points in the past two months. 37 percent plan to donate less and 5 percent plan to donate more then in 2009.
Health
- 29 percent of donors plan to give less to health related organizations, while 55 percent plan to give the same amount. Nine percent plan to give more then in 2009.
International Relief
- Two in ten International Relief donors plan to give more this year than in 2009. Three in ten, (30%), plan to give less.
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