Successful Strategies for Fundraising in a Down Economy

APRA Virtual Seminar Replay 
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Presenter: Craig Wruck, Hazelden Foundation

Session Description
We are currently in the throes of an economic recession that has happened much more suddenly and deeply than most Americans have ever experienced. Since charitable giving is highly discretionary, the effect of the economic downturn on giving is already being felt across the country and it is not clear how long giving will remain depressed.

This session begins with a review of charitable giving during past economic downturns to see what can be learned from history. We consider how economic conditions might affect our ability to research and understand standard indicators of wealth. We'll discuss how the economy may force a shift in the fundraising paradigm toward a more pronounced focus on the donor and his or her interests. Finally, we will speak to some positive steps that can be taken now to fortify fundraising efforts and increase efficiency while positioning our organizations for growth when the economy recovers.

Session Objectives

• Understand the historical impact of the economy on charitable giving
• Identify correlations between economic conditions and giving
• Evaluate the reliability of standard research methodologies in these economic times
• Recognize the ways in which fundraising tactics like annual giving, major gifts and planned giving as well as donor relations are being changed by the economic realities
• Discuss adaptations to ensure that your organization to succeeds and is positioned for growth in the future

About the Presenter:

Craig C. Wruck is Senior Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations for Hazelden Foundation in Center City, Minnesota. His experience in planned giving spans more than 30 years in both charitable nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Wruck has served as Director of Gift Planning for the University of Minnesota and Vice President of Development for The Saint Paul Community Foundation. In addition, he has worked as Vice President at U. S. Trust Company, National Manager of Charitable and Nonprofit Services for U.S. Bank and Director of Client Development for Kaspick & Company a provider of planned giving services to charitable organizations nationwide. His career in development also includes experience at William Mitchell College of Law in Minnesota, and Claremont University Center in California. He is past president of the National Committee on Planned Giving (NCPG) and a current member of the board of directors. He currently chairs NCPG’s Government Relations Committee. In 1993 he was chair of the Sixth National Conference on Planned Giving and is a frequent speaker and writer on planned giving topics. In the fall of 2002, Wruck was presented with a Distinguished Service Award by the National Committee on Planned Giving in recognition of his work in the field. In 1999 he was recognized with a David M. Donaldson Distinguished Service Award presented by the Planned Giving Group of New England. Wruck is Past President of the Minnesota Planned Giving Council and was a founding member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Planned Giving Today. Wruck holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Utah.