There is a lot of money out there.

Your charity has been struggling since the recession – or even before that.

Your major gift volunteers say that everyone’s “tapped out.”

Your corporate partners say it’s harder to get money from their Ontario headquarters.

But has the money really dried up? No way, my friend. Let’s peek at some gnarly numbers together…

$424 billion: The net personal wealth of people in BC. And that’s from an old CCPA study! We’re probably in the zillions by now.

$25 billion: Minister Falcon’s estimate of corporate profits in 2012.

$6 billion: Jim Pattison’s net worth last year. Canada’s third wealthiest citizen lives just up the hill, and he is one generous dude.

$9 billion: The net worth of BC’s other wealthiest peeps, all donors: the Chans, Gaglardis, Laljis, and good old Chip Wilson.

$750 million: The assets of Vancouver Foundation – one of thousands of grant-making organizations in Canada.

50%: The number of companies reporting an increase in charitable giving last year. (Okay, it was an American study, but we all know that these stats translate well north of the border!)

So how are you supposed to take advantage of all the money floating around out there? The biggest stumbling block I see to success in fundraising, especially in major gifts, is a lack of activity. Solution: Activity drives dollars, so get out there! Skip that next team meeting, pick up the phone, and start meeting with people.

–          Siobhan : )

P.S. Need some help getting that money to your charity? Please check out my consulting services on the “Sand Dollar” tab at the top of this page. And thank you for reading the blog (you are also following it, right? Right!).