Retain or renew: a real difference or only semantics? It seems to me the difference touches how we actually envision of our work. Is the focus one of raising money or of evolving a group of people who recommit (through their gifts) to the programs of an organization every year?

There is so much pressure to meet financial goals, who has the time to learn a person’s real interest and connection to the mission? It seems less complicated to keep telling people of the need for money and get as many people as possible to make a gift. It’s easier to learn what triggers a person’s interest to make a gift. We have become very skilled at getting the first gift.

Who doesn’t want donors to renew their giving. What keeps it from happening?

When money is raised and goals are met without many donors renewing, the pressure to increase donor renewal is low. The culture of fundraising is focused on getting money and the experience of giving for the donor is that of ma,/p>king a random gift of kindness. With the lack of meaningful connections donors have little motivation to renew.

Is it possible that donor renewal doesn’t really matter that much?

Over time strategies, processes, and systems for raising philanthropic funds have grown more sophisticated increasing the amounts of money raised. Yet 70% of people making gifts don’t make a renewing gift to the same organization. Why?

Renewable Philanthropy commits to building and strengthening the relationship of organizational leaders, executive and donors by creating a new paradigm for our thinking about the culture of “asking and giving”. It recognizes that philanthropy is more than money.