Study reveals key contributors to success during Covid for Belgian nonprofits

Taking a personal approach to communicating with existing and potential donors, as well as good data management, have proved instrumental to fundraising success for Belgian nonprofits, a study has found. This was particularly the case during the pandemic.

Conducted by HOGENT and Fundraisers Alliance Belgium, and published in a 160-page downloadable ebook, the study shares insights into how Belgian organisations and fundraisers work, the channels they use and opportunities they see. It also shares how successful they were in the pandemic year of 2020 and what actions contributed to this.

Overall in Belgium, the study shows that donations to charities remained fairly favourable, despite the corona crisis. 65% of the organisations surveyed did not experience a decrease in income from donations and legacies during this time. And, despite today’s challenges, the majority of fundraisers also view the future positively, with more than 80% expecting to see no decline in donations and legacies in the coming years.

Examining what makes them successful even in difficult times, the study found that a nonprofit’s success in maintaining income from donations and legacies is strongly linked to their degree of professionalism in fundraising. Taking a personal approach to donor and potential donor communications as well as effective data management were highlighted as particularly important.

Commenting, Jeroen Brugge, FAB Board Member, said:

“We heard quite a few cries of distress from organisations that experienced a sudden drop in income due to the corona crisis and the change in direction of Belgium’s 2020 Warmest Week (where the focus was on volunteering rather than donations). But we also note that the fundraising sector has held up relatively well so far. 

“The study shows a drop in income in about a third of organisations, and also shows that a lot depends on the type of organisation, its size and whether it has a professional framework to enable it to respond quickly in a crisis situation.”

The publication, which can be downloaded here, also includes tips for both new and established nonprofits, and shares two basic rules for good fundraising:

– Dare to ask. Additional research by HOGENT shows that 15% of Flemish donors and 10% of Flemish non-donors did not donate in the past month simply because they were not asked.
– Thank your donors. Fundraising is all about building trust and lasting relationships.

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