Nonprofit Giving Forecast Shows Encouraging Signs of Growth

DALLAS, May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A leading charitable giving forecast report just released reveals that donors were more generous than last year in the first quarter of the year. More importantly, it forecasts that giving will remain strong throughout the remainder of 2014, with a lift of over 7 percent projected in 2014 over 2013.

The data and trends supplied by Atlas of Giving — a monthly forecasting and analytic provider of charitable giving estimates by sector, source, and state in the U.S. — reveal that every sector within the giving community will experience strong growth during 2014. The forecast report also reveals that when compared to 2013, giving will be better in every month of 2014 except December.

"Driven primarily by strong sustained stock market gains and continuing low interest rates, charitable giving is exceeding expectations in 2014," said Rob Mitchell, founder and CEO of Atlas of Giving. "The forecast has also improved. The initial forecast for 2014 indicated that giving would grow 4 percent. The current revised forecast suggests that giving will increase more than 7 percent. Several sectors should expect double-digit growth, including Environment and Human Services. However, Church/Religious giving is expected to grow only 4.6 percent, and the Health sector forecast has improved to just 6.1 percent."

Industry reports, such as the Atlas of Giving Report, provide data-driven forecasts and trends in the nonprofit sector that are often taken into consideration when fundraising professionals develop their organization's campaign strategies. And fundraising professionals and consultants such as Pursuant, a full-service fundraising agency dedicated to helping the world's leading nonprofit organizations, often review the reports published by Atlas of Giving in order to stay up to date on the pulse of the giving community.

"I am very optimistic about the state of giving. Based on the data found in the latest Atlas of Giving Report and our own client experiences in 2014, donor commitment and loyalty are strong," said Trent Ricker, CEO of Pursuant. "Reviewing historical data and evaluating forecasting reports should be an important part of every organization's strategic planning and budgeting process."

In addition to reviewing budgets and making adjustments according to the organization's current giving levels and market segment forecast, Ricker also suggests that nonprofits evaluate alternative giving strategies such as grants. "I found it interesting that the Atlas of Giving Report also forecasted a 13 percent lift in grants from foundations and donor-advised funds. Organizations that are not active in these areas may want to consider a more aggressive approach," Ricker added.

Mitchell noted that the forecasted drop in December doesn't necessarily mean a worse year-end giving season. "When we see forecasts like this, the appropriate strategy to consider is moving up December appeals by a few weeks or more. If we see a softening in the economy late in the year, it could impact late-December giving. So create your own catalytic campaigns or events in the fall to capture funds earlier," Mitchell said.

About the Atlas of Giving

The Atlas of Giving is the only comprehensive monthly estimate of charitable giving by sector, source, and state in the U.S. The Atlas of Giving provides the only forecast of giving in America — updated monthly. Additional information is available at www.atlasofgiving.com.

About Pursuant
Pursuant Ketchum is a fundraising consultancy serving the world's leading nonprofit organizations. We partner with educational institutions, athletic organizations, hospitals and ministries to impact lives through innovative strategies that grow and sustain revenue. www.pursuant.com

SOURCE Pursuant