Philanthropy

Why Should Telecommunications Be Used To Increase Philanthropic Giving In Our Region?

The statistics from the greater Sacramento tell a story...
Out of 50 cities surveyed by the Chronicle of Philanthropy in 1994, Sacramento, at number 43, ranks toward the very bottom. The problem is statewide in scope. Seven of the twelve least philanthropic cities are in California. The Business Journal editorializes, " If we don't succeed in nourishing a larger, more philanthropic private sector, then we run the risk of looking around 20 years from now an seeing that we've gotten bigger, but no better." Business Journal, 5/15/95

What Are The Reasons We Cited For Our Region's Low Philanthropic Giving?

Local experts explain the low giving in Sacramento by pointing to a variety of conditions.

1. Chief Executive Officers, or other high income bracket individuals, attach little social importance to 'leadership giving.' Sacramento, furthermore:
2. lacks the spirit of giving that stems from a strong community identity,
3. is a branch town whereas big business tends to give more in headquarters towns),
4. is in a high growth, wealth accumulating phase, (established, high income brackets tend to give more),
5. is a government town, and, more recently,
6. has been impacted by recession. (Business Journal, 5/15/95; Comstock Magazine, 6/95; Community Service Planning Council, Connections 5/95.)

Why Are The Cited Reasons For Low Giving Really Just Unacceptable Excuses?

We are still responsible for our region and statistics show that we have the money. The Sacramento region rates high in growth of population and amount of discretionary income. We have had one of the most prolific growth patterns since the 1970s. Our 1.7 million population the Greater Sacramento Area (El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter and Yolo counties), is expected to reach 2 million in the next ten years. That figure represents an 84.6 percent increase from 1980 to 2005. Our capacity for discretionary spending is so high that we rate 38th best in the nation. This fact is most significant because 90 % of charitable giving comes from the discretionary income of individuals, (as contrasted with foundation or corporation funding.) (Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization, Economic Development Data Book, 1996; Business Journal 5/15/95; AAFRC Trust for Philanthropy.)

What Has Been A Barrier To Increasing Philanthropic Giving?

Traditional fund development techniques are labor intensive.

Products & services that support telecommuting

Can The Internet Be Used To Help Communities Develop More Cash Resources For Charitable Purposes?

The World Wide Web offers a new opportunity for reaching new donors. Communities that are fortunate to have a United Way or other campaign agency can now reach small and medium size business via on-line campaigning. Due to limited campaign resources, small and medium size companies are not often the targets of campaign efforts. With "anytime, anywhere" communications, small businesses can be reached as easily as large businesses. Over 30 million individuals have Internet access today, and the rate is growing at 10 - 15% per month. Industry experts estimate that the number of Web sites doubles every fifty-seven days and eighty percent of corporate desktops have Web browsers. The desktops where donations can be made from are not just in the large corporations. This is a large new market for campaigning. Smaller companies of between 50 and 99 employees have the lion's share of commercial Web sites.

How Would N2R Like To Use Its Resources To Support On-line Campaigning?