Category Archives: News

Year-End Challenges in Q4 2023

New York, NY, April 08, 2024 — While year-end remains the busiest giving season in the US, long-term declines in charitable giving trends remained in Q4 2023. FEP’s latest quarterly data, released and announced at AFP ICON 2024, acutely shows the growing challenge for American nonprofits: a near-universal decline in fundraising metrics, including dollars raised, donor counts, and retention when compared to 2022.

While the declines were minor compared to weakening in previous quarters, a drop in the total number of donations from all donor sizes demonstrates an evolving challenge for fundraisers. Despite these downward trends, small organizations showed the highest resilience, achieving some fundraising stability year-over-year.

The full Q4 2023 report is available here.

The Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP) is a collaboration among fundraising data providers, researchers, analysts, associations, and consultants to empower the sector to track and evaluate trends in giving. The project offers one of the only views of the current year’s fundraising data in aggregate to provide the most recent trends for guiding nonprofit fundraising and donor engagement. The FEP releases quarterly findings on those giving trends, released both via downloadable reports at afpglobal.org/fep and in a free online dashboard.

FEP Q4 2023 Report Key Takeaways
— Q4 data shows a persistent decline in all fundraising metrics, including a 2.8% YOY drop in dollars raised. This includes near universal decline in the frequency and total amount of donations by donors of all sizes, highlighting a continuing trend that began in 2021. Donors contributing more than $50K were the largest driver of the overall decline in funds donated, accounting for over half of all dollars raised despite representing only 0.3% of donors.

— An overall decline in donors was also evident in the Q4 data, with a 3.4% drop year-over-year. This decrease was largely due to fewer donors contributing less than $500, a group which still accounted for over 80% of all donors. This was matched by a 2.5% decrease in donor retention, which appeared across all donor sizes and types.

— While most organization sizes experienced a decrease in fundraising totals, small organizations (≤ $100K) saw stable dollars raised in Q4, meaning that organization size has become a greater determining factor in fundraising performance.

“While some analysis is optimistic about fundraising results over the next two years, including recent predictions from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, it takes time and effort to buck long-term trends,” noted Woodrow Rosenbaum, Chief Data Officer of GivingTuesday. “Our Q4 FEP data shows that significant challenges still remain for potential recovery in the sector. Strengthening the social sector in 2024 will require nonprofits of all sizes to focus on frequent engagement with supporters and with the communities their donors are part of. Americans want to give, in both formal and informal ways, and nonprofits need to reinforce the value of giving and the impact of their work while unlocking new ways for supporters to engage with their causes.”

Based on this Q4 data, the sector as a whole needs to work together to achieve stability and growth in 2024. With early 2024 inflation still outpacing 3%, finding ways to reach out to more Americans more frequently will be crucial to capture the generosity of diverse groups.

“As we continue to face declines in donors and dollars, it is increasingly important for organizations to foster a culture of philanthropy that withstands economic fluctuations,” said Mike Geiger, MBA, CPA, the President and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy. “We need to reimagine traditional approaches to donor acquisition and retention, embrace emerging technologies to broaden outreach and engagement, and renew our focus on donor stewardship. In this era of unprecedented volatility, the ability to adapt and innovate will not only be the hallmark of successful fundraising efforts but also the cornerstone of sustained mission-driven impact.”

Lauren Sheehan, President of DonorPerfect, agrees. “The FEP data shows how challenging fundraising can be, but today there are so many new opportunities for nonprofits to engage their community and create momentum for growth. To return to higher funding levels we’ve seen in the past, organizations must focus on acquiring recurring donors and prioritize ongoing donor engagement. By taking a human-first approach to connecting with their supporters, including personalized outreach and developing data-informed strategies and plans, organizations can build stronger relationships with their community at every level. With the right mindset and technology, the sector can weather this difficult season and emerge even stronger.”

FEP reports are made possible by the generous support of collaborating data providers, including Bloomerang, Classy, Community Brands, DonorPerfect, Keela, NeonOne, and Qgiv. FEP’s partner network also includes data analysis and additional support from Bonterra. All giving platforms are welcome to join these efforts and increase data coverage, enhancing the accuracy and accessibility of efforts to provide measured analysis to the social sector.

P.O.W.E.R. Magazine’s Spring 2024 Issue Features Talk Show

Manhasset, NY, April 06, 2024 — P.O.W.E.R. Magazine’s spring 2024 issue is out, featuring journalist, talk show host, and author Tamron Hall as its cover girl.

In this issue, Editor-in-Chief and P.O.W.E.R. Founder Tonia DeCosimo talks about flipping the switch on negativity and turning tragedy into triumph, much like Tamron Hall who, after the sudden and tragic loss of her sister, channeled her grief into advocacy, raising awareness for domestic violence.

DeCosimo points out that life is full of ups and downs, and at some point, we all face hard times, challenges, or obstacles, however, how we deal with setbacks can vary greatly from person to person. “It is fascinating to me to see how different people react to similar challenges that are thrown their way. For some, adversity becomes a paralyzing obstacle, while for others, it becomes a source of strength and growth,” said DeCosimo. “As the Editor-in-Chief of P.O.W.E.R. Magazine, I’ve met countless women who have used a positive mindset to reframe a potentially debilitating situation into one that sparks change and growth.”

Over the past eight years, DeCosimo has had the opportunity to speak with celebrities and hardworking professionals who have transformed life’s lows into launching pads for success. She learned the importance of facing your obstacles head-on, flipping the script on negativity, and using difficult experiences to fuel you on your journey forward. In this issue, she shares what she has learned from these women with her readers.

“I firmly believe that no life experience, particularly the challenging ones, should go unutilized. We should not allow our identities to be shaped by the misfortunes we face, but rather by the resilience we demonstrate in rising above them. We are the women of P.O.W.E.R. and as such, we should confront our challenges with the knowledge that they are not obstacles but the very foundations upon which we build our strength and character.”

Cheryl L. Asmussen Chosen as a Lifetime Featured Member by Strathmore’s

Laredo, TX, April 06, 2024 — Cheryl L. Asmussen of Laredo, Texas has been chosen as a Lifetime Featured Member by Strathmore’s Who’s Who Worldwide Edition for his outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of equine services.

About Cheryl L. Asmussen
With over 30 years experience, Cheryl L. Asmussen is the owner and horse trainer for 4C Breaking and Training Race Horses, an equine training facility located in Laredo, Texas. Asmussen is responsible for breaking in and training racehorses from all across the United States. Last year, she has 10 horses that she broke and trained in the 2023 Texas Thoroughbred Association Two Year Old Sale, which took place in Dallas, Texas.

“I truly love what I do for these beautiful animals and their owners. I have been so blessed with my career and for that I am extremely grateful,” said Asmussen.

Born on December 6, 1956, when Cheryl is not working she enjoys cooking, travel, and family activities.

A Red Circle to Host Second Annual Pig Roast

(St. Louis, Mo., April 5, 2024) A Red Circle and Phi Global Farms will hold their second annual pig roast on Fri., May 4 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Phi Global Farms in Spanish Lake, Mo. Tickets are $50 per person and proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the nonprofit’s Healthy Community Market, which provides fresh and affordable produce plus additional healthy food options to the region.

The evening features a pig roast presented by Phi Global Farms along with side dishes by NeeuQ’s “The Experience” and Chef Jessica Moore, drinks by Mesha Lewis of Moo’s Mobile Mixer, sparkling punch by Jigga Juiced Up, and sweets by Kim Mosby Summers. Live musical entertainment will be provided by Lady J Huston and her band from 5 to 7 p.m.

Phi Global Farms is a 13-acre urban farm located in Spanish Lake, Mo. that uses agricultural-based educational systems to end poverty and promote health and wellness. Founded in 2018 by Mitchell D. Pearson, the farm addresses the needs of distressed communities, especially those in urban settings.

Founded in 2017, A Red Circle is a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of racial equity in North St. Louis County, Mo. The organization creates economic and community betterment solutions through education, employment, and empowerment. A Red Circle has four Missouri locations – Healthy Flavor Community Garden in Riverview, North County Agricultural Education Center in Pine Lawn, The Creative Spot in Ferguson, and North County Community Nexus in Bellefontaine Neighbors – to best serve the community and improve wellness opportunities for its citizens who experience healthy food access disparities in the region.

HOT 97 Relaunches the Hub for Hip Hop News

New York, NY, April 05, 2024 –WQHT-FM, HOT 97, the most listened to hip hop brand in America, is pleased to announce the official launch of its redesigned website, www.hot97.com. For more than 20 years, HOT97.COM has served as the source for the latest news and information about hip hop culture, artists, music, and more. Now with a fresh new look, more intuitive navigation, and an expanded team of writers and reporters, the site is poised to deliver expanded coverage in an easy-to-find format.

“We are excited to share our totally new website with the world,” said Kudjo Sogadzi, President and Chief Operating Officer of MediaCo, parent company of HOT 97. “This new online platform aligns with our commitment to providing the latest news about the hip hop community and our recently earned designation as Certified Diverse Owned and Targeted Media.”

Emerald Sounds Launches New Instructional Seminars

Los Angeles, CA, April 05, 2024 — Emerald Sounds kickstarts 2024 by announcing the launch of new seminars dedicated to expanding the knowledge of the ins and outs of the music industry. The sessions touch on many different topics such as releasing, distributing, and licensing, and are open for enrollment at www.emeraldsounds.com/contact

Free consultations are also available to prospective clients who wish to learn more, and establish the best game plan for their projects.

Born in 2019, Emerald Sounds operates in the United States and Europe with an innovative, ever-expanding business model. The team is committed to facilitating international partnerships and communications by providing connections to any professional or business across the world.

The services offered include professional representations, translations, promotion, and ongoing correspondence.

Emerald Sounds is also a multi-genre record label offering production services and distribution through a wide range of partners and major labels.