With an increase in giving of 14+ % in 2009 and a similar number in 2008, the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation was identified as one of the Top 400 Nonprofits that has consistently grown through the recession. They were noted as the institution that has grown the fastest in the Top 400 since its initial appearance about a decade ago.Kansas City is Kinetic’s international headquarters and we serve over 70 projects in KC every year. You could say we’re proud.The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation issued an announcement to its donors: “Giving going down—Not in KC.” This bold headline is an important statement not only in KC, but throughout philanthropy. A loss of a percent point or more in a particular sector or even within the group of Top 400 is not something nonprofits should take in stride.Many large, national groups are reporting the fundraising progress of their individual chapters or clubs on a local basis. Former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill said, “All politics is local.” By the same token, all giving is local. So if some of the significant locals don’t do well, so goes the institution.What the Greater KC Community Foundation won’t say – but I will – is that it takes talent, dedication and a plan to withstand these recessions. In the article that appeared in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, their CEO, Laura McKnight, said appropriately, “it has to do with a Kansas City giving spirit.”While that may be true, someone has to be ready to channel and direct and lead that spirit. I am willing to bet that Laura had a plan and she worked the plan. I don’t think she just relied on the Kansas City giving spirit. I don’t know, but I suspect.The Greater KC Community Foundation’s message is one that nonprofits around the country and around the world need to hear: if you don’t work for it, it isn’t going to happen.Soon, we are issuing a fundraising alert on the KC story. We mention seven different nonprofits – higher education, healthcare, safety net, special needs, animal welfare and the arts – all demonstrating that in KC, giving is alive and well.One prominent fundraiser recently told me that to get a million dollar gift, he used to have to talk to three people. Now he has to talk to 10. My response was, “Then we’ll talk to 10.”Thank you for indulging me a moment to share my pride in our hometown’s recognition. My bet is that every hometown has a “giving spirit.” Who is tapping into yours?
Category: Fundraising In A Tough Economy
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