New Year's Resolutions
We fiercely advocate the long game in the world of philanthropy. Pursuing a brighter, safer, more equitable and just future demands more than one-time transactions. Instead, the foundation is built on sincere two-way communication, transparency and trust. It is fitting then that our business model emphasizes the same philosophy. We want to earn and sustain lifelong friendships with all those amazing men and women who share a passion for touching, improving and saving more lives, especially helping those who are struggling. Social change never happens overnight, but improving the lives of one child, man and woman at a time counts.
As the calendar pages flip, we realize that we have more questions than answers. But insatiable curiosity culminates in robust learning and growth. Eskin Fundraising Training is ready to embrace the new year with a renewed sense of hope and optimism. We cherish our work and playing an ever so humble part in advancing good works.
Of course, professional goals and objectives take a backseat to those in our personal lives. As we grow older, we appreciate that nothing is so valuable as spending time and bonding with family, friends and loved ones. As we age, the less likely we are to look back and regret that we didn’t spend enough time focusing on careers.
But work remains a big part of all our lives. We like to think that our professional agenda syncs and reinforces our personal agenda.
With that perspective in mind here are our top 10 resolutions for 2025:
(1) Remain committed to the long game. Don’t worry that the rewards aren’t measured in hours, days or even longer periods. Impacting individuals and single organizations for the better makes a difference.
(2) At the same time, constantly consider the exciting possibilities of scaling up. How can we turn local partnerships into something more impactful on a national and grander scale?
(3) Explore with local non-profits, how we can build momentum by reaching out to their national organizations and structures. There is so much in common that local organizations share with their peers in addressing challenges and opportunities.
(4) Train the trainers. Virtually every non-profit, especially at the national level, designates professionals and volunteers responsible for resource development. A top priority is designing, implementing and refining instructional programs to elevate the effectiveness of those individuals.
(5) Engage, engage and engage even more deeply. Our in-person and virtual programs succeed when participants enthusiastically share personal experiences, lessons learned and insights.
(6) Engagement is especially challenging in the virtual world characterized by computer fatigue. We will relentlessly embrace new technology and new ways of empowering virtual training and dialogue to mimic the magic of in-person interactions. Hybrid programming is a priority.
(7) Virtual communication and programs are so much more efficient and accessible. Double down on our commitment to energize it and realize its potential. We live in a world where no one seems to have enough time. Virtual communication and professional development create the gift of time and overcome hurdles of distance, time and expense.
(8) Welcome opportunities at every turn to feature subject matter experts and audiences from all different parts of the world. Virtual communication and professional development make this so much more doable.
(9) Being small also means being nimble. New programs and services will offer assistance to non-profits emphasizing immediacy and turnaround. One concept to be rolled out in the new year is Fundraising Urgent Care.
(10) Empower, mentor, coach and provide support to the men and women hungry for it. Paying forward is the surest way of paying back. Each of us represents the sum of our experiences and our golden interactions with all those who have touched us and who we have touched. As we advance in years, share what we’ve learned with all those who will lend an ear.
So much for what we think. Please give us a few moments to share your thoughts on the future direction of our learning community through this online survey.
Giving By Generations
A donor base that spans multiple generations ensures a steady flow of energy, creativity, and resources to sustain long-term impact. But with each generation’s distinct values, habits, and preferences and communication styles, is it possible to engage one generation without alienating another? Our thanks to Prosper Strategies for helping us understand generational giving preferences.
Gen Z (born 1997-2012): Focuses on impact and hands-on involvement. They are deeply connected to causes they care about and eager to share their affinity for these causes. Since they grew up with technology, Gen Zer’s prefer modern, digital-friendly approaches to interacting with non-profits.
Millennials (born 1981-1996): Learns from and engages with non-profits primarily through those organizations’ websites and social media pages. Non-profits with a strong online presence are well-equipped to influence millennials’ charitable decisions. Because millennials want to know their real-world impact, they appreciate transparency and storytelling, particularly through client testimonials.
Generation X (born 1965-1980): Values in-person connections and events. People can often be found in leadership roles in non-profits and serving on boards or committees. They commonly participate in fundraising activities and bring their networks along to support causes. Gen Xers have the highest formal volunteering rate of all generations, meaning they are much more likely to be interested in volunteering at events and securing volunteer grants.
Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964): Values accountability and want to see the impact of contributions. Regular communication is a must as these individuals enjoy being in the loop with frequent updates from non-profits. Since they appreciate transparency regarding fund allocation, if you want to target them, you should be sure to share your financial documents and annual reports in an easy-to-find location, such as your nonprofit’s website.
Silent Generation (1928-1945): Generally prefer traditional and tangible giving methods, such as writing checks (remember them?). They often contribute gifts through bequests or legacy giving, focusing on a few charities they feel strongly about. They are also known for commitment to faith-based giving, with many focusing on religious organizations and charities aligned with their beliefs. In terms of communication, they prefer the personal touch of face-to-face interactions, direct mail, and phone calls.
Climate Giving Change
ClimateWorks Foundation reports that climate funding surged 20% in 2023, outpacing the overall growth in global philanthropic giving for the first time since 2020. This 5th edition provides five years of insights into how philanthropy is driving progress in climate action and highlights stark funding gaps and emerging priorities in the face of escalating climate impacts. Major findings:
- Record growth: In 2023, climate giving grew by 20% year over year, with foundation funding reaching a record $4.8 billion — nearly triple the $1.7 billion in 2019.
- Top-funded priorities: Clean electricity, forests, food and agriculture were the three top-funded sectors from 2019-2023, with public engagement remaining the leading enabling strategy for climate action funded by philanthropy.
- Geographic funding gaps: The U.S. and Europe received 60% of tracked funding directed to a single country or region 2019-2023, while Africa, Other Asia and Oceania, and Latin America — home to over 6 billion people — received an estimated 20%. This disparity extended to grantmaking approaches, with low-to-middle-income countries receiving only 14% of foundation funding as flexible, core support, compared to nearly 33% for U.S. and European grantees.
- Adaptation and resilience: For the first time, the Funding Trends Report includes data on adaptation and resilience efforts, which received at least $600 million in foundation funding in 2023 to help communities adapt and be more resilient to growing climate impacts.
- Emerging focus areas: Brazil (host of COP30) and the industrial sector (responsible for one-third of global emissions, but severely underfunded) are receiving increased attention as funders respond to global climate priorities.
- Despite this progress, climate giving remains under 2% of total global philanthropy, far short of what’s needed to halve emissions by 2030 and avert the worst climate impacts.
Social Media
IAS, in collaboration with YouGov, surveyed U.S. digital media experts to uncover the trends, technologies, and solutions that will drive digital advertising forward in 2025. Top priorities and challenges for 2025:
- Social Media Takes the Lead: 61% of media experts place social media at the top of their list, but not without its challenges. With deepfakes becoming more common and new opportunities like social shopping emerging, advertisers will need to adapt quickly.
- Digital Video Growth: 43% of respondents expect digital video to dominate formats, particularly as it becomes more intertwined with social media. This format’s rise will require attention to new media quality threats like AI-generated content.
- Influencer Marketing Ramps Up: 28% of experts are prioritizing influencer campaigns to drive social purchases, but the format may face challenges due to growing pains.
- Safety Concerns Persist: Advertisers continue to rank safety as a top challenge, particularly in ensuring ads do not appear alongside risky content. Deepfakes and ad waste are also high on the list, requiring strategic planning.
Encore
We know from working with several clients how challenging it can be to raise money for arts and culture. So, bravo! The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) has received a $50 million gift from Helen and Sam Zell on behalf of the Zell Family Foundation. This transformational gift is one of nearly 200 gifts made to the CSOA’s ongoing SEMPRE ALWAYS capital campaign chaired by Helen Zell and brings the current total raised to $215 million. Launched in 2020 with a significant leadership gift from the Zells, the campaign was established to secure long-term financial stability for the CSOA, support and advance a vibrant 134-year tradition of musical excellence and nurture the ongoing positive impact of music and music education. Funds from this extraordinary $50 million gift vital dollars to strengthen the organization’s balance sheet by reducing debt over time. It also increases the endowment and is earmarked to provide essential funding for musician and staff retirement benefits, prestigious domestic and international touring activities, special artistic projects shaped by music directors, and digital content initiatives for marketing and promotion.
Book Launch
As a proud citizen of Feline Nation, I can ecstatically proclaim that book signings are the cat’s meow. I cherish writing. And writers write for one overarching reason: To connect, communicate, inform and hopefully inspire those who are investing their valuable time and concentration to read what we have scribed. With the immeasurable support of my wife Andrea, I now have two books under my belt. We have now conducted book signings and they are just about the most fun you can have with your clothes on. More than anything else I need candid feedback from readers both positive and less than positive. Like art and science of fundraising, writing is a nonstop exercise in continuous improvement. You need to learn something at every turn. I don’t have even the concept yet, but I want my 3rd book to be my best ever. Here are some of the highlights from the book signing conducted at the holiday mixer of The Nonprofit Council bringing together sector leaders from throughout South Texas. Reality check: My penmanship which once sparkled has been reduced to the stature of old-time physicians scribbling prescriptions.
The Why
Want to score your first or next million-dollar gift? It starts with a dream. The dream may take many different forms ranging from capital projects, endowments, programs and services, or my personal favorite — use when- and-where-needed-most funding. The dream must be followed up by working hard and working smart in crafting a compelling case for support, articulating illustrative stories on impact, and then cultivating and nurturing friendships that set the stage for obtaining support from inspired individuals, corporations and foundations. It was a treat to gather non-profit leaders representing organizations of different sizes and very different missions who shared passionate pitches for first or next million-dollar gifts. We only wish MacKenzie Scott was with us to hear their voices. But we had the privilege of meeting in the home of the late Edith McAllister, the Grandest of Grand Dames, who hosted so many memorable philanthropic, civic and social gatherings that brought out the best in people. We are working with our partner in crime, John Largent, CEO, Largent Media, to produce a video on the highlights.
One-Two Punch
It’s one thing to write a book, but it’s quite another challenge to effectively market it. Andrea reminds me that I give away many more copies than I sell. We fervently believe that our two books are prudent investments and worth every cent spent and minute reading them. We welcome your support in spreading the word to non-profit leaders and organizations about their value. Nothing tops word of mouth referrals. You can share this information on the easiest way to obtain the two books and benefit from their easy to understand lessons based on data, research, proven tactics and personal insights on what works. 10 Simple Fundraising Lessons is an 82-page common sense guide to understanding the fundamentals of discovery, cultivation, solicitation and solicitation. It is a great primer for those just getting started in resource development, The next step is to aim and reach higher with How To Score Your First or Next Million-Dollar Gift, 104 pages filled with strategies, best practices and homework assignments to realize the exciting opportunities unlocked by leadership gifts. Both are available in both print and digital formats through Pathway, our book distributor, and Amazon. Quantity discounts are available to non-profits who want to share books with teams of management, development staff, board and volunteers. Click here to order 10 Simple Fundraising Lessons and click here to order How To Score Your First or Next Million-Dollar Gift. When you enjoy a book the most natural response is to recommend it to a friend. We greatly appreciate the support of learning community partners in doing so.
AI:Potential and Limitations
We recognize that AI is all the rave. Not a good day goes by in which we don’t hear about the way it will alter the future. We get it. Eskin Fundraising Training wholeheartedly concurs that there is a time and place for AI. But we are quick to emphasize that there is nothing more human than philanthropy. In the most profound way possible it’s about connecting with hearts and heads of compassionate men and women who want to touch, improve and save more lives, especially helping those who are struggling. We appreciate Bloomerang featuring our article, “There Is Nothing Artificial About Fundraising.”
On Bookshelf: The Barber, The Astronaut and the Golf Ball
In 1971, famed astronaut Alan Shepard returned from the moon and went to get a haircut. Before settling into the barber’s chair in Webster, Texas, near NASA’s Mission Control, Shepard gave his longtime barber and friend, Carlos Villagomez, an autographed golf ball. During his Apollo 14 moonwalk, Shepard conducted a world-famous demonstration of gravity by hitting a golf ball in an out-of-this-world sand trap. It took him two tries. Carlos, a Navy combat veteran and barber for numerous astronauts, says Shepard gave him the ball immediately after he returned to earth and was released from quarantine. Had Shepard taken a third ball to the moon? And did he give it to his barber as a token of their long friendship? The debate provides a backdrop for The Barber, The Astronaut, and the Golf Ball, a story of two extraordinary men and their lasting friendship. The book is based on recollections of Carlos himself, the authors Barbara Radnofsky and Ed Supkis — spouses and both children of NASA scientists — as well as other astronauts, memorabilia experts, and family and friends of Shepard, who died in 1998. Is the ball one of the most significant pieces of sports memorabilia in history, or simply a gift of enduring friendship? Did the barber’s golf ball fly to the moon? In seeking the answers, this extensively researched account of NASA history provides readers with insight into some of America’s greatest space explorers, including Michael Collins, Deke Slayton, and Charles Duke. The Barber, The Astronaut, and the Golf Ball offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of America’s space program at its pinnacle and shows the so-called ordinary people who supported one of the nation’s most monumental scientific endeavors. I feel so privileged that Barbara Radnofsky has been an enlightening presence in my life as mentor and friend lending her brilliant perspective to several webinars and other projects.
Graying of America
The U.S. centenarian population is projected to more than quadruple over the next 30 years. An estimated 101,000 Americans were 100 or older in 2024 — including former President Jimmy Carter, who reached the milestone in October. U.S. Census Bureau data indicates by 2054, the number of centenarians will rise to around 422,000. Today, 78% of Americans in their 100s are women and 22% are men. There are also racial and ethnic differences within this group: 77% of centenarians are White, while far fewer are Black (8%), Asian (7%) or Hispanic (6%). White adults are expected to still make up the majority of U.S. centenarians by 2054, though their share is projected to fall slightly to 72%. Asian centenarians are also expected to make up a smaller share by 2054 (5%), while the shares of Hispanic (11%) and Black (10%) centenarians will grow. Projections from the United Nations put the global centenarian population at 722,000 in 2024. Japan is home to more centenarians than the U.S., at 146,000. The U.S. is second, followed by China (60,000), India (48,000) and Thailand (38,000).
Quiz: Most Popular Dog Breeds
Though we are unapologetically cat people, every morning when I go walking, I encounter dog lovers galore. As the world’s largest registry of purebred dogs, the AKC uses registration statistics to rank the most popular breeds of the past year. Which breed has been named the American Kennel Club’s most popular dog breed? Match the following breeds with their respective ranking. Growing up I was the constant companion of two Welsh Terriers who now rank No. 117. Answers are shown at the bottom of the page.
1. Boston Terrier a. No.1
2. Chihuahua
3. Collie
4. French bulldog d. No.40
5. St. Bernard
Stratagems is published monthly by Jim Eskin, Founder of Eskin Fundraising Training, LLC. We offer workshops and customized training sessions for board members, staff and volunteers of non-profit organizations of all kinds and sizes. For details about our services and information, or to find out how to schedule a training session for your organization, visit our website. Follow our events on Facebook, and read more articles about philanthropy on our LinkedIn page.
Jim Eskin, Founder
Eskin Fundraising Training
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 210.415.3748
www.eskinfundraisingtraining.com
ANSWERS TO THIS MONTH’S QUIZ: 1=b, 2=c, 3=d 4=a, 5=e |
