Research into Practice. How culture, tradition, religion and other factors affect fundraising across borders

Transcription

1 Research into Practice How culture, tradition, religion and other factors affect fundraising across borders

2 Session Description International Philanthropy Philanthropy is becoming more formalized on a global scale. What do leading researchers and practitioners tell us about philanthropy and fundraising among various people around the world? What are the effects of changing cultural traditions on giving and receiving? Beth Breeze, Director of the Centre for Philanthropy at the University of Kent, United Kingdom Amir Pasic, Dean, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Lilya Wagner, Director, Philanthropic Service for Institutions

3 Dr. Lilya Wagner, CFRE Director Philanthropic Service for Institutions Direct: Mobile:

4 Overview Diversity and Philanthropy today a quick overview of the past two decades-plus of research and practice. Chicken or egg did we see global philanthropy flourish and then focus on what s happening in North America, or vice versa? The fundraising profession adaptation, assimilation, or BAU? Value and cautions of generalizations, variations on a theme. What we know, and need to know about various population groups and generosity, what shapes it.

5

6 Roots to Reality At the turn of this century and even in the late 1990s, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders began to take careful note that knowledge of and attention to diversity in philanthropy and fundraising were not just add-ons to our professional practice, but a must, beneficial for the relationships between nonprofits and their constituents in many ways. More recently, Emmett Carson, president of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, stated, Charities that don t recognize demographic trends are going to shrink and ultimately go out of business. The populations in the past that have supported them spectacularly will not have the size to support them going forward. As a result, over time, these charities must adapt, change or die. Nicole Lewis, Raising Money in a Changing World, Chronicle of Philanthropy, August 11, 2013).

7 Global awareness grew because... Growing consciousness of cultural diversity Population shifts Failure of repressive government Voice through civil society grew Nonprofits/NGOs proliferated Change made without government help or interference.

8 Who (or what) Influenced Whom?

9 Local giving across the globe grew, building on culture, tradition, religion, and other forces. American practices began to be shared and adopted. At the same time, awareness and knowledge of cultural influences in America grew. Research identified preferences and practices of identity-based philanthropy. Mutually-beneficial cross-border philanthropy increased.

10 Results of Knowledge Growth Awareness that culture influences generosity. Fundraising practices needed to be adapted. Fundraising must take place with cultural consciousness in mind. Research supported practice, and vice versa, as research findings increased each year. However....

11 Many professionals, researchers, scholars have handled this topic... There is a plethora of information in Yet we still find that While America s demographics are changing quickly, charities are not adjusting fast enough to the changes,... An article in Advancing Philanthropy stated What is it about reaching out to diverse donors that is most difficult for fundraisers? Information overload? Or not enough knowledge into practice? And then there is the phrase that s become more popular than ever the culturally challenged professional!

12 Progress or Status quo? Professionals today, whether leaders of nonprofits or fundraisers, have become more aware of the available information that can guide practice. They are more conscious of cultural bases and biases. There is at least verbal adherence to respect for differences in philanthropy which should guide differences in fundraising methods. But at the same time, Charitable giving in the U.S. quickly is becoming more ethnically, culturally and socioeconomically diverse, yet conventional philanthropy has not fully recognized, embraced and partnered with communities of color and needs to understand and support their philanthropy if it wants to drive social change.... Giving Grows among Communities of Color, Philanthropy Journal, January 17, 2012, accessed January 29, 2013,

13 Terminology and Terms When considering diverse population groups both in the U.S. and many other countries, the term philanthropy may need to be explained and defined in respective cultural contexts. Euphemisms might need to be adopted, or the term adapted to local or regional use. The nonprofit leader and practitioner should be conscious of language use as a whole, and also in defining the concept of giving in particular.

14 Value (and danger) of Generalizations While generalizations should be approached with caution because these do not capture everyone in a defined population group, generalizations can serve as a starting point for noting what to notice what might be unique characteristics in certain categories of generosity behaviors that a fundraiser should observe and therefore adjust the funding request appropriately.

15 Points of Difference For most minority communities, philanthropy is viewed in a broad sense that includes time, talent, and money. Donations are made without fanfare or concern about records or reporting. Variations on donor approaches, including one-on-one solicitation, direct mail, use of the Internet, and telephone solicitation are vital.

16 Prospective donor research strategies must be redefined to capture information that is relevant and suitable to diverse donor identification and cultivation. Volunteers representing various ethnic groups need to be recruited and trained. Often gifts are unplanned and unrecognized, and revolve around family, church and education.

17 Generosity behaviors a fundraiser should observe and use... Direct, informal support to children, the elderly, or community members is more common than support of institutions. Level of immediate need is a major consideration in giving. Immediate needs take precedence over long-term planning. Planned giving is seldom a priority. There is some distrust of traditional nonprofit institutions related to a perception that these have not met minority needs. There is some distrust of traditional forms of giving. Individual cultures within minority groups do not always agree on philanthropic priorities and interests because of their varying histories and experiences. The effect of recency of immigration versus long-term stay in the U.S. or other countries as well as diaspora philanthropy adds layers of needed information. (adapted from M. Ann Abbe, Untangling, CASE Currents (July/August 2000):

18 All this may cause astute nonprofit leaders and personnel, including fundraisers, to feel a weight of too much to know.

19 Is it a matter of perspective?

20 Need for Code Switching It s vital to develop the expertise of code switching between cultures, as recommended in a Harvard Business Review article. Defined this as the ability to modify behavior, to accommodate various cultural norms, to have a capacity to manage the psychological challenges that arise when cultural knowledge is translated into action. Andrew L. Molinsky, Three Skills Every 21st Century Manager Needs, Harvard Business Review (January/February 2012): 140.

21 Develop the Skill of Code Switching Acknowledge that giving by diverse population groups, or identity-based philanthropy, is nothing new and our understanding of how and why such donors give has grown and is growing. The changing face of philanthropy brings with it the cultural influences and traditions from countries of origin, whether first generation or farther back, and therefore has dictated how philanthropy also has changed.

22 We recognize that as fundraising took hold in numerous countries, from Japan to New Zealand to countries of the former Soviet Union and to all global points Ancient and local roots gave modern philanthropy its impetus and these aspects of modern philanthropy exist alongside Western ideas on how to motivate generosity.

23 Some concepts of which to be aware are: Definitions and concepts of philanthropy differ. Community is highly significant. If potential donors don t see that philanthropy serves the community, they don t give. Generational differences matter, as does the amount of time a potential donor or donor group has been in the U.S.

24 Philanthropy is strongly linked to family and kinship. Religion is significant in shaping philanthropy. Tax considerations and public recognition are of lesser importance than in mainstream North America. Customs and traditions which are part of an ethnic identity also affect philanthropy.

25 Not all strategies or tools work for all identitybased prospects. Some are more effective than others, as is accessibility to various strategies by prospects. Mainstream organizations may not rank highly on a prospective donor s list if that organization has not served that particular ethnic group serve first, then ask. Various perspectives of government and legal systems may come with immigrants and shape the way they think about generosity, obligation, reciprocity, opportunity, and other aspects of philanthropy.

26 Possibly most comprehensive collection of research...

27 Contents of volume Foreword Dr. Gene Tempel, CFRE, Founding Dean of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Dr. Bill Hallett, ACFRE, Partner, Hallett Horlor Inc.

28 Preface: A Journey Through Time and Across Cultures End of One-Size-Fits-All! Background and Promise of Cross-Cultural Philanthropy Global Perspectives on Philanthropy Spanish-Speaking Populations at Home and Abroad African Roots and American Practices Asians and Pacific Islanders in America and Abroad Preferences and Practices Arab American Philanthropy and the Influence of Islam

29 Jewish Traditions, Diaspora, and Current Trends in Philanthropy Native Peoples Philanthropy, its Roots and Current Practices European Influences on North American Philanthropy European and North American Influence in Oceania and the Caribbean a Three-Way Street Development of Philanthropy in North America The Culturally-Proficient Professional and Nonprofit: Navigating Cultural Differences Successfully Summary and Conclusions

30 Also includes sidebars by representatives of diverse population groups, bibliographies and recommended readings, plus research studies that were available.

31 Research transformed into practice contents of chapters Introduction to the population group and background. Diversity within the population group. Culture, language, religion and home influences on philanthropy. Appropriate fundraising practices for the cultural group. Attitudes, motivations, preferences for giving. Cultural roots sample countries of origin and how these influence giving in North America. Moving forward cautious generalizations.

32 And the growth continues a sampling Report on Diversity in Giving by Blackbaud, Creating Culturally Competent Campuses in CASE Currents, How to Attract Hispanic Donors in Chronicle of Philanthropy, Sept Small World, Big Gifts, by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy U of Miami Proves the Power of Hispanic Donors, in Chronicle of Philanthropy, 2015 Capacity Building for Fundraising Organizations in Mainland China, in Advancing Philanthropy, Spring 2015.

33 Never forget to see the individual behind all the diversity!

34 Remaining issues Defining diversity Labels and definitions Giving by immigrants Remittances Diaspora giving Influence of social media, globally Cross-border giving and fundraising Education and training

35 No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it. - H.E. Luccock You don't get harmony when everybody sings the same note. Doug Floyd