Fundraising and philanthropy : engaging research and practice

The social and corporate trends over five years (1996 - 2000) in Australia clearly demonstrate the need for the nonprofit sector to engage in predictability forecasting to build viable philanthropic partnerships. As business and private enterprise practices have become more common in the management of fundraising effectiveness, nonprofits are in danger of reducing the value of their cause and likewise the cause or need of corporate and individual donors. Shortterm partnerships with short-term objectives do not achieve an outcome of sustainability. This paper analyses the theories of fundraising and philanthropy in the context of the changing Australian environment, and proposes a value measurement approach to the inputs and outputs of nonprofit organisations. By engaging in research, nonprofits are more likely to achieve productivity in fundraising and philanthropic practice.