[photo from fpnetwork.org]
A five-year program in Florida has resulted in 126 nonprofits recruiting 28,000 new donors and generating $50 million through a partnership between Lightful and the Jessie Ball duPont Fund (duPont Fund).
The results were announced during the Florida Philanthropic Network conference. The initiative was designed to demonstrate the lasting impact of capacity-building investments.
Since its launch in 2019, Lightful’s “Building Resilience in Digital Growth and Engagement (BRIDGE)” program has provided digital fundraising training and personalized coaching to help nonprofits expand their donor bases and drive long-term sustainability. During the past five years, organizations participating in the program collectively:
- Raised more than $42 million through their own fundraising efforts, supported by $7.5 million in matched and bonus funds from the duPont Fund;
- Achieved a five-times return on investment based on an annual $200,000 investment in Lightful’s programming;
- Recruited more than 28,000 new donors through matched-funding, incentivized resilience-building behaviors;
- Reported that their digital confidence nearly doubled by their fourth-year; and,
- 86% of grantees believe the lessons learned have positively impacted their organizations, according to a recent survey.
BRIDGE (building resilience in digital growth and engagement) is a comprehensive and collaborative learning program to equip charities with the digital skills and capabilities needed to become more resilient organizations with more impact. It includes monthly live masterclasses and more than 30 hours of learning content.
“Nonprofits face significant challenges in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, and the BRIDGE program has demonstrated that by investing in digital skills and capacity building, we can empower them to overcome these challenges,” Vinay Nair, co-founder and CEO of Lightful said via a statement. “This initiative has not only boosted fundraising, but also building lasting resilience enabling nonprofits to deliver greater impact in their communities.”
These results come as foundations increasingly seek evidence-based approaches to capacity building to demonstrate returns on investment. The BRIDGE program’s combination of structured learning, peer support and behavioral incentives offers one framework for the sector.
“The BRIDGE program has demonstrated that when you invest in a nonprofit’s capacity and mentorship, you drive results that extend far beyond dollars raised,” Mari Kuraishi, president of the duPont Fund, said via a statement. “This work has helped organizations strengthen their digital skills, engage new audiences and build lasting resilience — all of which allow them to better serve their clients and communities.”
Nonprofits ranging from direct services organizations to universities to cultural institutions have benefitted from the BRIDGE program. The Florida Historical Society (FHS), a four-year participant in the BRIDGE cohort, set a 2024 fundraising goal of $100,000. Thanks to the learnings from the BRIDGE program, FHS exceeded its goal, raising $108,035.
“Established in 1856, the Florida Historical Society is the oldest existing cultural organization in the state,” Executive Director Ben Brotemarkle said via a statement. “But the organization needs to keep up with the best practices in modern digital fundraising to protect our legacy and remain relevant. Through support from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, Lightful’s BRIDGE program has provided outstanding training for us to successfully achieve those goals.”
Lightful is launching a new BRIDGE cohort early this summer. Funders and nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the BRIDGE program model or implementing similar initiatives can learn more at https://lightful.com/what-we-do-learning-bridge.
