Presidential Elections Impact on Fundraising

First Day Podcast

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Patrick Rooney, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Economics and Philanthropy at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, to discuss the impact of presidential elections and other world events on charitable giving. Dr. Rooney shares insights from decades of research, revealing that presidential campaign contributions have a negligible effect on overall philanthropic donations. Despite record amounts spent on elections, these contributions remain a small fraction of total household giving, and people typically separate political donations from their charitable contributions. Dr. Rooney also addresses the effects of natural and man-made disasters on charitable giving. While such events often lead to a temporary increase in donations, this surge usually lasts only a few months and does not significantly impact long-term giving trends. He emphasizes that philanthropy is a core American value that persists through economic cycles and personal financial disruptions. Even during major economic downturns, like the Great Recession, charitable donations decrease but do not disappear, reflecting the resilience of philanthropic behavior. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of fundraisers maintaining an abundance mentality. Dr. Rooney encourages fundraisers to focus on building long-term donor relationships and to seize opportunities to engage donors, even during election years or in response to disasters. By adopting a proactive approach, fundraisers can ensure a steady flow of charitable contributions and continue to drive their missions forward, leveraging the robust and enduring nature of American philanthropy.