Maarten Bout and James Hodge discuss the eight-step process of effective major gift fundraising, emphasizing the importance of a benefactor-centric approach, relationship-building, and understanding the philanthropic behaviors of donors to achieve philanthropic inevitability. They stress the significance of values-based fundraising, building a team around the donor to ideate and explore their passions, and maintaining relationships with donors rather than solely focusing on fundraising goals. By asking the right questions and being a moral trainer for donors, fundraisers can connect benefactors to projects that carry on beyond their lifetime and accomplish something important in the world.

The Giving by Generations study shows that since 2016, Millennial giving has increased by 40%, with faith-based organizations being the second most important use of their charitable giving after places of worship. Donors are increasingly supporting para-Church or para-religious organizations. While Boomers and Gen X are showing a decline in volunteering, Millennials and Gen Z are the most engaged in charitable and online giving, with direct mail still being their preferred means of engagement. Rick Dunham advises nonprofits to optimize their fundraising methods by focusing on mobile optimization, multi-channel communication, and proper engagement of younger generations to ensure healthy growth in the charitable sector.

Dr. Patrick Rooney discusses how high net worth donors give a lot to different types of legal charities, including religious organizations, basic needs, education, social and racial justice, arts and culture, and animal and environmental causes. Additionally, he reveals that upwards of 90-95% of high net worth households donate, with only 9% having formal giving vehicles such as donor advised funds, and 30% volunteer formally through a 501(c)(3). Rooney explains that volunteering can slow mental decay and that charities are more likely to receive gifts from people who volunteer for them. These findings are discussed in Chapter 32 of Achieving Excellence in Fundraising.

Dr. Patricia Snell Herzog discusses how understanding philanthropic behavior across the generations is a complex concept due to its intersection between age, life stage, social, and historical factors. It's important to consider the context in which a group was born and major events experienced when coming of age. Fundraisers seeking to engage young people in their organizations need to offer more episodic ways to get involved and focus on the cause rather than the relationship with the organization. Understanding different generations and their philanthropic behaviors is significant, and social actions and event participation can be a great way to engage people.

Jeannie Infante Sager, director of the Women's Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, explains that women tend to give differently than men and give more across different income, age, and race levels. She highlights that single women are particularly philanthropic and more likely to give generously. Studies show that women are involved in decision-making when it comes to charitable giving in about 80% of households. It is important to include women in all conversations and create collective opportunities for them to participate in campaigns. Fundraisers should engage women donors by providing advocacy, social capital, time, talent, and treasure opportunities. Engaging women donors across these five areas can lead to larger donations, and organizations should encourage women donors to advocate for their causes and endorse them to others.

Dr. Chelsea Clark discusses a recent research study that sought to understand Americans' thoughts on philanthropy and nonprofit organizations. The study found that Americans associate charitable giving and volunteering with philanthropy and generally trust nonprofits while considering them transparent, but there is still a need for education to increase awareness of what nonprofits do. The study also showed that philanthropy means different things to different demographics, which may inform how nonprofits and fundraisers approach their messaging. Importantly, every donation, regardless of size, matters and should be connected to the exact impact it will have to help increase awareness and encourage more donations.

Dr. David King and Rafia Khader discuss the role of religion in charitable giving, noting that religion is the largest sub-sector of the charitable giving pie in the US, with 27% of donations going to religious organizations. While there have been shifts in religious affiliation patterns, spirituality and values continue to shape and motivate giving, and fundraisers should be attentive to these factors. The speakers also discuss the impact of the pandemic on religious giving and the context of religion in social justice issues. Additionally, they explore the philanthropic activity of the Jewish and Muslim American communities and offer advice on how fundraisers can connect with religious donors for the causes they represent.

Pamela Perkins Dwyer, CFRM, discusses the significance of personalized donor stewardship in fundraising. She believes that listening to the donor, putting yourself in their position with a compassionate attitude, and remembering personal details are vital to building longer and deeper relationships with donors. Dwyer emphasizes the need to show donors how their contribution is used and celebrate their impact. Stewardship should be the starting point, not the end, of the fundraising process to sustain donors' interest and continued support. The goal of stewardship is to demonstrate that every donation matters and encourage future giving.

Philanthropy Among Communities of Color by The Fund Raising School

Dr. Una Osili emphasizes the importance of recognizing philanthropy as a vital part of every community, including communities of color, which have deep expertise in addressing community problems. She stresses the need to learn from the traditions of these communities related to philanthropy, which are often overlooked. Dr. Osili notes that both formal and informal giving occurs in communities of color, and mutual aid networks are a vital resource during times of crisis. She explains that while race and ethnicity can impact how people think about giving and the causes that matter to them, the decision to give and the amount given is more heavily influenced by an individual's resources and connections to the cause. To engage more diverse donors, fundraisers need to develop authentic relationships based on trust through deep listening and learning. Finally, the importance of addressing the unique fundraising needs of communities of color and providing tailored training and resources is highlighted.