Research

The Cygnus Donor Survey
…what lies ahead for philanthropy and fundraising in 2010

Cygnus Applied Research, Inc. will conduct the 2010 benchmark study of American and Canadian donors to determine how the current economy will affect their philanthropy over the next year.

A concise questionnaire will explore whether donors intend to alter their giving and how those who plan to reduce their philanthropy will make difficult choices.  The survey will also seek donors' advice on how not for profits can position themselves for success in these shifting times.  The results will be especially important for fundraising planning, budgeting, soliciting and donor communication.

Interested in becoming a partner in this study?
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Career Mobility in Development and its Affect on Fundraising Performance

Everyone in fundraising knows that high staff turnover in our industry is ferocious. But the really interesting questions are, "Can we do something about it?" and "How can we raise money in spite of it?"

Almost 1200 professional fundraisers recently completed an on-line survey that explored why they change jobs and what would inspire them to stay in their current positions longer.  While the rate of turnover is affected by many factors, fundraisers acknowledge that their chief executives, whether actively engaged in fundraising or not, play a tangible role in staff retention and bottom line performance.

Contact us for more information about participating.