Comments on: Two Major Factors that Demotivate Donors

By: Top Ten Posts of 2012, and Other Reflections | Michael Rosen Says…

Top Ten Posts of 2012, and Other Reflections | Michael Rosen Says… — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 07:37:07 +0000

[...] 10. Two Major Factors that Demotivate Donors [...]

By: Top Ten Posts of 2012, and Other Reflections | Michael Rosen Says…

Top Ten Posts of 2012, and Other Reflections | Michael Rosen Says… — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 07:37:07 +0000

[...] 10. Two Major Factors that Demotivate Donors [...]

By: Michael J. Rosen, CFRE

Michael J. Rosen, CFRE — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 18:20:57 +0000

Jill, thank you for taking the time to comment. You suggested that we should treat major and planned gift donors like family, “in a good way.” I had to smile at that. When I think of how badly many families treat one another, I shudder to think of a donor being treated that way. So, I’m glad you added that tag.

By: Jill Nelson

Jill Nelson — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 13:55:13 +0000

Hi Michael. My thoughts echo the comments above and also take me in a slightly different direction. I think it’s worth considering that when someone puts a charity in their Will, the charity has become in many ways “part of the family”. It’s sobering to think of what an honour that really is. So I always think they deserve to be treated like family — and we have to remember to behave like family (in a good way).

By: Michael J. Rosen, CFRE

Michael J. Rosen, CFRE — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:09:35 +0000

Armen, thank you for your kind comment and insight. You're right. The demotivators not only impact new-gift decision making, they also impact gift renewal or, in the case of planned giving, maintenance of a gift commitment. For example, while donors tend not to revoke bequest commitments, when they do it is often due to the birth of a grandchild. Family comes first.

By: Armen Boyajian

Armen Boyajian — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:45:51 +0000

Great post, and it also has much applicability to why major donors (in giving societies) don’t renew…thanks Michael!

By: Michael J. Rosen, CFRE

Michael J. Rosen, CFRE — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:26:45 +0000

Michelle, thank you for your comment. These are difficult times for our economy, our donors, and the development community. However, nonprofit organizations can still successfully raise money by paying extra attention to what motivates and demotivates donors and prospective donors.

By: S. Michelle Cline

S. Michelle Cline — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:26:00 +0000

I think this is a great post! In a time when we are seeing a huge amount of donor fatigue these drivers need to be properly addressed in every organization.

By: Michael J. Rosen, CFRE

Michael J. Rosen, CFRE — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:30:43 +0000

Larry, thank you for commenting. Day-to-day pressure to achieve goals often leads to development professionals focusing on their own priorities. It’s human nature. That’s why it’s so important for us all to keep reminding others, as well as ourselves, of the importance of being donor-centered.

By: Michael J. Rosen, CFRE

Michael J. Rosen, CFRE — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:27:30 +0000

Claire, thank you for sharing your insights. There’s something I find particularly interesting about the choice between money going to government (taxes) v. nonprofits (philanthropy). Many people who would never consider themselves “conservatives” nevertheless do not trust government to spend money as efficiently and effectively as nonprofit organizations. The distrust of government is not a uniquely American phenomenon. For example, a recent focus group study in the UK revealed a major motivator for planned giving is distrust of government. As a practical matter, this means that nonprofits need to stress to donors that they are both efficient and effective, assuming that’s the case.