Tis the Season of Giving: The Research Development Perspective

Tis the season of giving. In the United States, the winter holiday and end of the calendar year generally inspire Americans to make donations to or volunteer with local charities or causes they are passionate about. This is particularly the case this year, where Holiday giving has boosted year end giving to 17% above what we saw in 2012, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Certainly, this is lovely to witness and be a part of, but from a research grant development perspective, this giving time provides us an opportunity to understand how and why people give and offers us some insight into research sponsors and grant reviewers as well.

So, below I offer some reasons for giving and what aspects we can apply to grant development.

It's for a good cause.
This is often on the lips of donors when asked why they've gotten out their checkbook. But, it's also why sponsors and reviewers award money to researchers. A good cause is not named that because it is simply the neediest. It is a good cause because it is able to show the impact, or the change they can make in the community or the world because of funding.

I want to make a difference.
Although they may not realize it, donors do not tend to give to a cause that looks like every other cause on the block. The cause they give to must stand out, appeal to them, and really be something special, something different. So too is the case for sponsors; they want to fund unique and innovative projects that have the potential to be a game changer.

I want to give back to the community.
When it comes to individual giving, Americans give the most money to their church, temple, or place of worship. Although this might suggest a high level of religious devotion and commitment, at least part of the reason that these religious organizations bring in more individual donations is due to the community and level of engagement they have amongst their participants. In the fundraising world, there is a recognition that engagement and giving go hand-in-hand.

So, how does this apply to grant development? Well, the first is in the relationship side of grant development. Engaging and involving a Program Officer in your project idea and incorporating their feedback into your project and your grant can create an advocate in your Program Officer for your project. Additionally, find ways to engage your reviewers in your grant. You want to feel that they have an important role to play in funding your vital and exciting research.

There are likely many more connections and insights we can glean from individual donors that can help us in the grants world. And, as you make charitable donations or notice others making gifts this season, dig into the how and the why to see what it yields for your next grant.

Additional Resources:
Porter, R. (2009). Can we talk? Contacting program officers. Research Management Review, 17(1)