Direct mail fails, but face-to-face and Internet fundraising are big in Italy and Spain.

By Daryl Upsall

The Italian fundraising sector is still characterised by high levels of volunteerism and low levels of (poorly paid) professionals, making it hard for new NGOs entering the market, as well as those already there, to find really top-notch professional fundraising staff.

In terms of infrastructure, until recently, a poor, slow and inefficient postal system hindered direct-mail fundraising, timely supporter communications and donor-relationship management. This has been gradually improving, but the sector still suffers from a poor and outdated banking infrastructure.