Online Poll Results Help Shape International Fundraising Congress Sessions

Press Release (Aug. 10, 2011) — The results of an online poll allowing fundraisers from around the world to shape sessions at the International Fundraising Congress (IFC) have been announced, giving the Resource Alliance, which organizes the IFC, a fascinating insight into the views of the fundraising community. Fundraisers were asked to share their opinions on issues which will form the basis of sessions at the IFC delivered by six well-known speakers — Karen Osborne, Stephen George, Anne-Marie Grey, Fiona Duncan, AJ Leon and Nick Allen.

The questions explored a range of subjects, including legacies, women in philanthropy and integrating social media and mobile into fundraising programs. When asked why all fundraisers do not also promote legacies, 38% of respondents cited a lack of information as the main reason, with 12% pointing the finger at not knowing how to ask for a legacy. Karen Osborne’s assertion that women drive philanthropy globally divided opinion with 47% of respondents agreeing, while 33% of respondents disagreed. The results also showed that among those who completed the survey, a lack of budget and resource was the top barrier to implementing social media within their organizations, with 40% identifying this as the single biggest hurdle they face. Use of SMS and social media to raise money was rare among those who completed the survey, with 57% of respondents admitting to not raising any money through SMS, and a massive 59% of respondents never having raised any revenue directly from Facebook or Twitter.

These results show that a startling amount of fundraisers either do not know how to raise money through SMS or social media, or have never used these fundraising channels. Luckily at the IFC there are two sessions which will show fundraisers how to do just this. Nick Allen and Roland Csaki’s workshop – Fundraising on mobile – will give delegates the skills and knowledge they need to make mobile fundraising work for them, highlighting case studies from Central and Eastern Europe and Asia. Those new to fundraising using social media will benefit from Beate Sørum’s workshop which will show delegates how to enhance online relationships with donors, encourage engagement of Facebook fans and bloggers and convert Twitter followers into donors, demonstrating how this untapped fundraising channel can be used by charities around the world.

The results of this poll will shape many of the sessions at this year’s IFC. On announcing the results of the poll, Neelam Makhijani, Chief Executive of the Resource Alliance, said: “We’re delighted with the response to this poll, the results of which have given us an invaluable insight into the views and experience of the fundraising community and which will be used to tailor speakers’ sessions to ensure they meet the needs of our delegates. As the first woman to hold the position of Chief Executive of the Resource Alliance, I was delighted to see that there is recognition of the role of women in philanthropy amongst respondents, and look forward to seeing these speakers in action at the IFC in October. If you have yet to book your ticket for the IFC, there are still places available — we hope to see you there!”

For further information about the International Fundraising Congress (IFC) or to register, simply visit www.resource-alliance.org/ifc.