Nonprofit Fundraising Study Gives Tech Insights

A new report on nonprofit fundraising technology trends provides huge insights into fundraising in the digital age.

The 2014 Fundraising Technology Trends Study surveyed 142 fundraisers about their use of technology. The study was authored by software matching service Find Accounting Software and co-sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, as well as nonprofit software providers Cougar Mountain, and Araize.

Online Donations

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Providing online donation capability to donors is proving to be critical. According to the study nonprofits that accept online donations are:

• 24% more likely to have increased fundraising revenue from 2012-2013,
• 26% more likely to project increased fundraising revenue 2013-2014, and
• 61% more likely to describe their fundraising efforts as “effective” or “very effective.”

Multiple Payment Methods

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Online donations are crucial, but they aren’t the only option. Good old cash and checks still rule the roost. But what about potential donors who don’t carry either?

Card readers and mobile giving apps are two ways to address this issue. Meeting donors where they are comfortable means providing as many donation options as you can.

Study respondents reported that the more fundraising payment methods they accepted, the more likely they were to describe their fundraising as “effective” or “very effective.” In other words, limiting options for donors means limiting your fundraising success.

Contribution Management Software

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Spreadsheets just don’t cut it. Effective financial management is key to understanding giving patterns and optimizing fundraising campaigns.

Whether it’s a third-party software suite or an integrated solution, contribution management software provides critical insights into your fundraising efforts. Nonprofits that use contribution management software are:

• 38% more likely to have increased fundraising revenue from 2012-2013,
• 36% more likely to project increased fundraising revenue from 2013-2014, and
• 49% more likely to describe their fundraising efforts as “effective” or “very effective.”

Nonprofit Fundraising: The Raw Numbers

The common thread is diversity. From management to communication to payment, the more the merrier is the key to success. Among all nonprofits who described their fundraising as “effective” or “very effective,” they reported using:

• 3+ software management tools,
• 5+ communication channels,
• 3+ web-based tactics, and
• 3+ payment acceptance methods.

Learn More

You can read the entire 2014 Fundraising Technology Trends Study for free–and download raw survey data–from the Find Accounting Software website. There is also a nifty explainer video including interviews from survey respondents.

You might also want to check out our latest whitepaper, “Nonprofit Fundraising: Removing Roadblocks and Meeting Goals With Mobile Technology” for our take on some of these topics. It’s also a free download.