Fundraising financial returns have rebounded since 2008 when the charitable donations flagged in the wake of the economic crisis. In 2012, the total donated funds contributed in the U.S. from individuals and organizations reached $316 billion, which is more than the $298 billion in 2011, and the pre-recession total of $311 billion in 2007.
The recent success of fundraising efforts is an indication that the economy is stabilizing and people are once again feeling financially secure enough to prioritize non-profit organizations’ needs.
Meeting Costs
The upswing in charity engagement is fortunate for the organizations receiving the financial gifts for meeting operating costs and funding programs. The U.S. depends on donations for supplementing government funding in schools for supplies and extracurricular programs and handling many of the social service programs that meet the needs of at-risk populations.
In schools alone, fundraising through bake and product sales secures more than $1.5 billion annually, according to the website GreatSchools.org, funding 80 percent of computer, field trip and playground equipment expenses.
Intangible Benefits
Charity Engagement Increases Happiness
The individuals donating and participating in fundraising efforts also benefit from the intangible rewards, such as a sense of belonging through participation and financial ownership, competency from developing skills, and appreciation from acknowledgement and evidence of impact, factors that improve overall happiness in the mental outlook of people generally. In fact, according to a London School of Economics study, people who engage in charity have a 7 percent higher probability of happiness compared to the rest of the population.
Skill Building
Fundraising participation is a microcosmic real-world opportunity for people to learn skills that they can use to enhance experiences in work and life.
In schools, teachers, administrators and parents can use fundraising to teach lessons and enforce burgeoning skills, such as teamwork, organizing, and interpersonal skills.
Setting goals, self-introduction, articulating needs, persuasion, navigating unsuccessful interactions, handling rejection and success, and managing money, are just some of the experiences that can introduce people to the soft skills integral to personal and professional life. Managing inevitable mistakes in a low-risk environment is key for fostering self-sufficiency and confidence.
Academic Reinforcement
For students, fundraising is an opportunity to reinforce curriculum, such as math and finance skills for children, and business and marketing skills for older students.
Administrators and teachers that coordinate fundraising and classroom activities can successfully demonstrate the application of theoretical concepts, which can help transform passive learning curriculum to dynamic and engaging lessons that penetrate and last.
