SEATTLE, Feb. 1, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- For hundreds of nonprofits, 2005 will be the year of donor compassion.
The year started with money going to tsunami relief and ended with an outpouring for hurricane victims, and many nonprofits believed no one would have extra money for their cause.
But they did.
In fact, the 248 groups trained and coached by Raising More Money Inc. (RMM) in 2005 experienced the best year on record at RMM. On average, these groups raised $200,000 in gifts and pledges per fundraising event (compared to $150,000 in past years). Collectively, these groups raised more than $50 million in gifts and pledges -- a record amount in RMM's history.
"The disasters proved that people are inherently generous and want to give if they feel passionate for a cause," said Terry Axelrod, founder and CEO of RMM.
Nonprofits from arts groups to food banks found that if they knew how to powerfully connect people to their mission, the money flowed.
A week after the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, Okla., held their fundraising event in November, a donor stepped up with a $1 million pledge over five years and the donor's colleague gave another $100,000.
"The demand is greater than it's ever been," said Rodney Bivens, the executive director of the food bank. "We are still helping evacuees living in transition in Oklahoma."
Faith-based groups had some astonishing results, like The Salvation Army in Ft. Lauderdale, which received a surprise $2 million donation at their event; and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, N.Y., which raised $450,000 in gifts and pledges from 235 people.
"We as a group were very amazed by our results," said Maureen Crush, development committee chair of the Habitat group.
Other fundraising highlights:
-- Artrain USA, a national traveling art museum on a train
headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., raised $178,605 in gifts and
pledges in November from 115 people, including a challenge gift.
-- The Children's Institute for Learning Differences, a group in
Mercer Island, Wash., which works with children aged 3-18 with
special needs, received a gift of $1 million and the seed money
for a capital campaign.
-- Volunteers of America in Shreveport, La., not only saw an $81,000
increase in their annual holiday campaign compared to 2004, but
raised an additional $400,000 to help serve Katrina and Rita
evacuees.
"Getting donors to care about your mission is the most powerful kind of fundraiser," said Axelrod.
At their memorable fundraising event, the HIV Alliance in Eugene, Ore., had a woman stand up and thank her employer for not firing her because she has HIV.
"After cut after cut after cut, it's exciting to have this model as stabilizing income from the community," said Michele Erickson, development director of the HIV Alliance.
Raising More Money, now celebrating its 10th anniversary, has trained and coached over 2,000 nonprofits. For more information, visit www.raisingmoremoney.com.
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