According to an analysis from Convio Inc., a manufacture of online donation software, online giving to nonprofits is anticipated to exceed $3 billion this holiday season. This analyst is based on a new online giving survey by JupiterResearch and from historical data from the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
The survey reports that more than 89 million people plan to give online during the holidays. Almost 7 out of 10 people plan to give the same amount they do every year, while 33% say they will give less this year. A few of the organizations that donors plan to support include social services, faith-based organizations, and diseases and health service organizations.
Gene Austin, the chief executive officer at Convio says, “With consumer dollars being tight and the competition for donations growing, the efficiency and effectiveness of the Internet […] continues to grow in importance for donors and organizations alike.” With that in mind, as the holiday season approaches, nonprofits should consider how to appeal to an online audience and make sure that the organization’s online donation process is simple and easy to understand.
Information taken from: “Online Giving Still Expected to be Brisk this Holiday Season.” Sacramento Business Journal. www.bizjournals.com.
-- Ashley High is a Research Assistant at Christian Foundation Grants (www.christianfoundationgrants.com) which is a subscription database of foundations that provide grants to faith based organizations. iDonate.com is a website (www.iDonate.com) that allows ministries to receive non cash gifts online.