Report Outline
“Give
Overview & Giving Day Recap
$10.7+ million raised in 11 annual giving days combined.
1. Give DeKalb County is a fundraiser to benefit nonprofits located in or serving DeKalb County
2. Donors give
• Online at GiveDeKalbCounty.org (midnight to midnight on giving day)
• Credit card, debit card, ACH, mobile wallet
• By check
• Mail-in
• In-person at the DeKalb County Community Foundation
• IRA via Qualified Charitable Distribution
3. Donations leverage a percentage of the Bonus Pool
• Pro-rated match
At-a-Glance
May 2
• Released $11,968 (mail-in gifts) for a head start at midnight
• Steady early morning activity
• Donation Drop Off event
• Crossed $1 million at 2:30pm – 2-hours earlier than 2023
• Raised $171,732 online (2023: $117,731)
• Announced Quick Start incentive reached, adding $5,000 to Bonus Pool
• $68,511 by 7am (2023: $62,440)
• $278,073 from walk-ins (2023: $132,115)
• Strong website traffic; continued adding offline donations
• Set record at 9pm surpassing 2023 Grand Total
Year-Over-Year & Data Analysis
Give DeKalb County hit new all-time highs, but not in every major category.
• Y-O-Y comparison provides
• Historical context
• Snapshot view of growth
• Background for unpacking 2024
• Baseline for comparison
• Opportunity to identify trends
“This is our MOST FUN day of the year. Between the donations, excitement, and gratifying words of appreciation from our donors, it's a real morale booster just when we need it.”
Nonprofit Quote
Facts & Figures: Participation
Facts & Figures: Fundraising
Combined Total $10,753,973
Offline vs. Online
Not including Bonus Pool
$200,000 $400,000 $600,000 $800,000 $1,000,000
Hourly Online
Hour Of Day Donations 0:00
Of Day Donations
• Money raised in all 24 hours • Points of interest: • 9am – Always a big hour
4pm – A close 2nd
9pm – Vigorous evening hours
By the Numbers: Typical Organization/Fund
Geographic Scope & Donor Details
Give DeKalb County donations came from far and wide.
• Give DeKalb County benefits organizations located in or serving DeKalb County
• The locations of donors range from local communities to different countries, demonstrating a vast network of support
“I loved all the yard signs this year. There seem to be so many more in my town of Waterman. Everyone was reminding each other to donate so it became a neighborhood event.”
Donor Quote
Geographic Scope: Organizations
• 21 different zip codes represented
• Broad participation county-wide
• 30% located outside of DeKalb/Sycamore
“Give DeKalb County brings us all together. It's about chipping in, bit by bit, to make a huge difference.”
Nonprofit Quote
Geographic Scope: Donors
• 407 different zip codes represented
• Donations came from 42 states and United Kingdom
“GDC is a very easy way to give. We have moved out of town and still support many local agencies because of the ease of GDC. If it was not for GDC we would probably donate more in our local area and less, or not at all, in DeKalb County.”
Donor Quote
New Donor Acquisition
• 724 new donors
• 121 organizations acquired at least 1 new donor
• 4 = average new donors per organization
Survey Results
Donors and nonprofit leaders share opinions about Give DeKalb County in post-event surveys.
• Electronic surveys sent to all donors and each organization
• Response rate
• Organizations: 38%
• Donors: 15%
“Give DeKalb County is like Christmas in May!
Nonprofit Quote
“We were blown away by the support.”
Nonprofit Quote
“This was a wonderful, morale-boosting experience.”
Nonprofit Quote
Role of Bonus Pool: Donors
Extremely Influential in Decision to Donate
Somewhat Influential in Decision to Donate
No Role in Decision to Donate
68% report the Bonus Pool played some role in their decision to donate
Don't Know/Unsure
Donor Survey Summary
• Have you made any other donations in 2024 to a nonprofit in DeKalb County
• Yes = 68% (no change from last year)
• Do you plan to make any additional donations in 2024 to a nonprofit in DeKalb County?
• Yes = 63% (up 1% from last year)
• How did you hear about Give DeKalb County 2024
Donors continue to give at other times of the year
Organizations: Fundraising Goals
Exceeded Fundraising Goal
Met Fundraising Goal
Failed to Meet Fundraising Goal
72% either met or exceeded fundraising goal
Don't Know/Unsure
In 2023, 83% either met or exceeded fundraising goal Opportunity to continue managing expectations
Organization Survey Summary
• About how many total hours did staff commit to Give DeKalb County preparation and activities for your organization?
• 0-20 Hours = 62%
• About how many total hours did volunteers and board members commit to Give DeKalb County preparation and activities for your organization?
• 0-20 Hours = 90%
• About how many marketing/promotional dollars did your organization commit to Give DeKalb County?
• 0-$100 = 67%
High return on investment considering resource commitment
Organizations: Fundraising Prediction
If Give DeKalb County did not exist, would the amount donated to your organization be less or about the same for the year?
Would Receive Less
Would Receive About the Same
Don't Know/Unsure
Nonprofit Quotes
“GDC offers the benefits of a wildly successful fundraiser with minimal overhead for us.”
“We are truly grateful to be a part of such an amazing community.”
“This really helps us connect with other nonprofits and see how they’re making an impact.”
“GDC brings our community closer together – we are eternally grateful.”
Considerations & Key Takeaways
Give DeKalb County is a team-effort that requires time and resources.
• Annual review promotes transparency and provides insight about:
• Administrative resources
• Public awareness
• Future opportunities
“Wonderful initiative for our communities. Thank you!!!”
Donor Quote
New Strategy: Lapsed Donor Outreach
• Process
• Identified those who gave in either 2020, 2021, or 2022 BUT not in 2023
• Sent GDC postcard to 1,000 addresses
• Results
• 120 donors re-engaged
• $35,676 donated
• Expense
• $620
• Includes printing and postage
“I just LOVE this event! Thank you so much!” Donor Quote
Ongoing Considerations & Challenges
• Retaining & Growing Donors
• 2nd highest number of donors ever…how can we retain and involve more donors?
• Fundraising Landscape
• More nonprofits call this their largest fundraiser…is that a problem?
• Lift All Boats
• Many payouts below $1,000…how can we continue supporting nonprofits of all sizes and at all levels of preparedness?
Key Takeaways
• Give DeKalb County 2024 raised a recordbreaking amount – surpassing $2 million
• In-person donation drop-off was efficient, fun, and exciting – $278,073 from walk-ins
• The Bonus Pool matters – it is important to the overall campaign and a large Bonus Pool has a substantial impact
• Give DeKalb County processes are continually assessed to identify possible efficiencies
ThankYou
To committee members, staff, volunteers, contractors, Media Sponsors, Community Partners, nonprofits, and donors for making Give DeKalb County a success!
Community Foundation Staff & Contractor on May 2
Not pictured: Teri Spartz
DeKalb County Committee Not pictured: Sara Nickels
