The fourth annual Global Benchmark Reports on Membership Performance and Fundraising Performance explores the foremost challenges, goals and opportunities non-profits are currently facing to both attract new members/donors and to maintain their existing bases. Conducted in the latter part of 2017 by Advanced Solutions International (ASI), the two reports report on a survey conducted on a total of 620 executives across the United States, Canada, Asia-Pacific and Europe/Middle East/India/Africa (EMEIA).
The surveys consisted of 23 questions spanning five primary interest areas: demographics, performance, technology, website/mobile, and goals. ASI distributed the questionnaires via email to senior-level executives at organizations of all sizes and sectors around the world. The fourth annual survey reports uncover the latest trends in operational performance, new member/donor acquisition strategies, engagement plans and measurement, technology investments, website updates, and overall operational performance improvement.
Membership Performance
The fourth annual report shares findings on how membership organizations are attracting new members, keeping them engaged, and ensuring retention rates. It includes new questions on recurring memberships, data protection and PCI compliance as well as covering staff efficiency, revenue growth, and continuous performance improvement. For the first time, survey respondents reported they were most concerned about increasing member engagement. Other findings include:
• 70% reported overall retention rates of more than 75% — up from 65% in 2017
• 52% reported at least 50% of all renewals and new member joins were processed online
• Confidence in future growth/sustainability is down from 2017
• 60% believe their organizations are PCI compliant
Fundraising Performance
The 2018 report shares insights from hundreds of fundraising executives on the most effective marketing strategies they use to attract new donors and keep them coming back. The report includes new questions on recurring donations/regular giving, and data protection and PCI compliance and also addresses donor levels, goals and challenges, and continuous performance improvement. This year, “increasing donor acquisition” moved to the top of the list of priorities. Additional findings include:
• 50% reported an increase in overall engagement — up from 46% in 2017
• Just 49% saw increases — down from 54% in 2017
• 68% report their organizations are PCI compliant
• Confidence in future growth/sustainability dipped from 2017 rates
This research was done by Advanced Solutions International (ASI). Learn more at www.advsol.com.
