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THE SHIFT IN DONOR BEHAVIOR THAT'S SHAKING UP THE NONPROFIT SECTOR.
Donor behavior is becoming less transactional in nature as donors now act as philanthropists in more sophisticated and strategic ways. Donors are narrowing the number of causes they support, donating more to those causes, and doing so with an expectation of engagement and accountability we once saw only from a select few. Donors of all shapes, sizes and types have become strategic philanthropists.
A recent study of high net-worth philanthropy conducted by Bank of America found that 71 percent of these philanthropists have a specific giving strategy in place- and that behavior is spreading. As a frontline fundraiser for nearly 20 years, I am seeing donors previously content to hear a good story ask for measurable impact on a comparative timeline.
TRICKLE-DOWN PHILANTHROPIC BEHAVIOR
Strategic philanthropists are mimicking the behavior of the mega-donors. Bill Gates talks about attacking specific problems with his philanthropy, measuring the impact of his investments and making strategic adjustments accordingly. Strategic philanthropists think, "I have a lot less capital to invest, but why would I not follow the example of one of the world's richest and, arguably, smartest men?"
Philanthropy as a whole has always...