© 2019 PENNINGTON & COMPANY FUNDRAISING, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 32
help create momentum early in the campaign. Additionally, six of the top 10 donors
indicated they may be able to make an early payment on their pledge.
It should be noted that the perceived giving capability of some prominent Delta Xi
Chapter alumnae may be greater than their actual propensity to give as indicated in
the feasibility study interviews. The appearance of great wealth is not an accurate
measure of discretionary income available for the project, nor does it indicate that
a particular alumna has the desire or willingness to support the project to the degree
others might assume.
Pennington & Company's experience shows that a group can expect 20-25% of
mailable alumnae to make any type of gift to a campaign. Of that 20-25%, 10
donors are needed to make gifts totaling approximately half of the campaign goal;
and four to five solid prospects are required for each of the top 10 gifts. The
interviewed alumnae were asked to make gift estimates over a five-year period.
Any accelerated requests for gifts or changes in personal circumstances could
significantly alter those estimates.
Alumnae were informed of the potential to make tax-deductible gifts through the
Tri Delta Foundation. Chart J illustrates how alumnae responded when asked how
important receiving a tax deduction would be when deciding to support a campaign.
Forty-two percent indicated "Yes," the ability to make a tax-deductible donation
would influence the size of their gift, whereas 35% stated it would not. Twenty-
three percent were unsure.
