Charities See Significant Fundraising Increases in 2006.

Charitable Giving Strongest It's Been in Six Years of Survey

DALLAS -- Nearly seven in ten charities raised more money in 2006 compared to 2005, and almost a quarter of charities saw fundraising increases of 50 percent or higher, according to figures released by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) at the 44th AFP International Conference on Fundraising in Dallas, Texas.

For the sixth consecutive year, AFP's 2006 State of Fundraising survey asked charities to compare their fundraising totals in one year (2006) to the previous year (2005).

Overall, 69 percent of organizations raised more funds in 2006 compared to 2005, with 24 percent of respondents raising less, and seven percent raising about the same amount. The 69 percent figure represents a six-point increase from the previous survey (63 percent) and is the highest ever in the six-year history of the survey, the previous high being 65 percent in 2004.

Charities not only raised more money in 2006, but in many cases, significantly more money. Twenty-three percent of charities reported fundraising increases of 50 percent or higher. At the same time, lower increases were also experienced, as 29 percent of respondents saw increases of between one and 20 percent.

Increases in 2006 compared to 2005 were seen across the board in nearly every category. Overall, environmental, public/society benefit and education organizations fared the best when comparing subsectors, while charities in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and the Pacific performed the best when comparing regions. Organizations of all sizes fared exceptionally well, although mid-size charities (budgets between one and three million) fared the best.

"Since 2002, we have slowly seen fundraising results increase every year, and 2006 seemed to be the culmination of several trends," said Paulette V. Maehara, CFRE, CAE, president and CEO of AFP. "A gradually growing economy and increased public awareness of philanthropy seemed to buoy giving."

The survey also asked charities to identify the key challenges they faced in their fundraising in 2006. In past years, the top two challenges have always been the economy and the increased competition for the charitable dollar. This year, the top two challenges were "staffing issues in the development office" and "problems with overall organizational leadership."

A fact sheet for AFP's 2006 State of Fundraising Survey is available on request, and Paulette Maehara, president and CEO of AFP, and Tim Burcham, chair of AFP, are available for interviews.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) represents nearly 28,000 members in over 185 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs. The Association fosters development and growth of fundraising professionals and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession. For more information, visit www.afpnet.org.