What do behavioral economists and psychologists know about fundraising and philanthropy that you don’t – yet!

The field of behavioral economics deals with the influence and, at times, irrationality of human behavior in the context of economic decision-making. In the past three decades, the field of economics has been transformed by the understanding and acceptance that human and psychological behavior – not rational thinking – can better predict decisions made in the economic sphere.

There is growing interest, research, and application of behavioral economics and behavioral psychology in the fields of fundraising, philanthropy, and altruism, too. Yet despite the advancement of this field, there is a surprising lack of demonstrated application of these theories in the actions and operations of the nonprofit community. The integration of these concepts into strategic and tactical fundraising may have a dramatic, positive impact on the fundraising success of institutions.

"What are people buying when the give money away? Is pure altruism possible? Who benefits from grants to charities and subsidies to givers? Is religious giving different? Which fundraising approaches 'work,' and is more charity always better? Questions like these make philanthropy and fundraising among the most dynamic research areas in economics today."

Description of James Andreoni’s Economics of Philanthropy and Fundraising

This seminar is like no other and is an informative, entertaining, and useful presentation on the art and science of giving and getting?

The most important line on the pledge card?

  • Why January 1st might be the most important day of the year?

  • What can a volunteer say in a phone call that increases giving 23%?

  • Do matching challenges work? Are 2:1, 3:1 or 4:1?

  • When asking for $5 is better than $25?

You'll learn about:

  1. Principles and discoveries in human behavior and behavioral economics.

  2. What you don't know about yourself and your donors.

  3. Real world examples where these principles are put to work.

  4. Putting these ideas to work in your next solicitation.