January 2009
CONTENTS:
1. Filla Forecasting
2. Researching a Recession
3. Resource Spotlight: Zipskinny.com
4. Focus on Aspire Research: FillaResearch changed its name!
Filla Forecasting Greetings!
Now that my fiancé and I are in Florida, his habit of monitoring weather forecasts has intensified. Yet he is incredulous anew each time the forecast is wrong. “And these people still get paid. I want a job like that!” he cries out. Nonetheless he still recites me the forecasts every morning as I am sifting through my email.
With the recession declared official by the National Bureau of Economic Research and a new year upon us I have gotten hooked on forecasts too - just not the weather. I was delighted to find the Florida & Metro Forecast by the University of Central Florida’s Institute of Economic Competitiveness as well as An Analysis of Million Dollar Gifts by the Center for Philanthropy at Indiana University. Below are some captivating excerpts. And I intend to be just as incredulous when these forecasts are found to be a bit off center – except that unlike my fiancé I really do not want a job like that. I already have one! After all, assigning a capacity rating (a top giving range for a 5-year major gift) really is a kind of forecasting.
Jen Filla
President, Aspire Research Group LLC
Understanding a prospect’s individual situation is critical when considering how to approach cultivation and craft your solicitation, but some understanding of the economics driving the prospect’s industry and geography is also important. Because Aspire Research has so recently located to Florida and because so many northern prospects spend time in Florida, following are some brief bits of forecasting on the Florida economy as well as select findings on million dollar donors. Click on the links to go to the source documents.
Institute of Economic Competitiveness, University of Central Florida, College of Business Administration. 2008. Florida & Metro Forecast 2007-2011.
- Positive growth is forecasted for Education and Health Services (2.5%).
- Florida’s housing construction sector bottoms out later and lower than expected in the second quarter of 2009.
- Professional and Business Services and Leisure and Hospitality both will contract slightly on average (-0.03%).
Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. 2008. An Analysis of Million Dollar Gifts: January 2000 – September 2007. (New York: CCS).
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Entrepreneurs are less likely than all other donors to give to environment or religion. They are more likely to give to a foundation, for international aid or for human services.
- Investors were more likely to give to education, environment, foundations, and religion. They were not less likely than people with other types of wealth to give to any particular type of charity.
- Donors with wealth from real estate were more likely than other donors to give to campus-wide initiatives and to “service-related” fields. They were less likely to give for science or technology, and no gifts were reported to libraries.
Resource Spotlight: Zipskinny.com
Most people know about the Forbe’s list of wealthy zips based on home value, but fewer have heard about Zipskinny.com where you can compare your zip or find all top zips by state based on economic and other indicators.
If you have a local constituency this free site can give you the “wealthy” zips in your area or state based on criteria like median income. Sweet!
Focus on Aspire Research: FillaResearch changed its name!
I founded FillaResearch to provide an information advantage to the many organizations whose missions and programs continue to inspire and energize me. Creating Aspire Research Group LLC provides a vehicle for "me" to become "we", offering a broader and deeper array of information services in the future.
Thank you for inviting me to join in your mission and Happy New Year!
"The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking
new landscapes but in having new eyes."
Marcel Proust, novelist (1871-1922)
Aspire Research Group helps organizations use research to create and maintain meaningful relationships with donors. We provide profiles on people, companies and foundations.
Contact Aspire Research Group and ask how we can help you find and get to know your major gift donors better. Call 610.566.5113 or email jen@aspireresearchgroup.com