Funds raised by professional solicitors are a tiny slice of charitable giving in North Carolina. While this is a significant amount, it represents less than 5 percent of the total funds donated to nonprofits by North Carolina taxpayers who itemize their contributions. Most charitable giving is in response to requests from staff and volunteers who are committed to the nonprofit in which they serve. Most nonprofits spend less than 20 percent of their resources on fundraising. Most fundraising in North Carolina is done by nonprofit staff and volunteers who believe in their organizations' missions and who put every penny possible to that end.
Most nonprofits find imaginative, effective, and frugal ways to raise funds.
They may have no staff dedicated to fundraising and a board that's not equipped to raise funds. They may need to identify a new pool of potential donors but lack the marketing lists to find new donors. Acquiring new donors is usually more difficult and expensive than raising funds from current donors, but reaching out to expand the base of donors is also important. Individual donors can be nonprofits' best source of operating support because foundations and corporations often restrict their funds to special projects. Nonprofits are more likely to use professional solicitors in their early years to create a base of donors.