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12. Trend analysis
Registry growth
Text version of the registry growth chart
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Solicitation campaigns
The total number of solicitation campaigns run annually by paid solicitors. The number of campaigns decreased by 13% in 2018.
Text version of the solicitation campaigns chart
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Ratio of net proceeds to gross proceeds
The percentage of donations (gross receipts) raised by paid solicitors that makes it to the charity as net revenue, after paying the expenses of the campaign and the paid solicitor’s fee. The percent to charity increased significantly in 2015-2018 as compared to 2014 and previous years, rising from 58% to 84%. The increase is attributable to two very large donor advised funds that have been conducting solicitation campaigns since 2014 and retain 98% and 95%, respectively, of the gross funds raised. If these two campaigns were omitted, the percent-to-charity would fall to 40.4%.
Text version of the ratio of net proceeds to gross proceeds chart
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Ratio of fundraising expenses to contributions revenue
This graph compares the ratio of fundraising expenses to contributions revenue for all registered charities and for registered charities listing a Colorado principal address. The results show that on average charities raise contributions in an effective manner, with Colorado charities spending slightly more on average than all charities combined. This could reflect some economies of scale that charities realize when raising funds on a regional or national basis.
Text version of the ratio of fundraising expenses to contributions revenue chart
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Ratio of program services to total expenses
This chart compares the ratio of program service expenses to total expenses for all charities registered and for all charities listing a Colorado principal address. The results show that on average charities devote a large percentage of their spending to their programs, with Colorado charities spending slightly less on average than all charities combined spend on programs.
Text version of the ratio of program services to total expenses chart
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Methods of solicitation
This chart shows the prevalence of various methods of soliciting contributions as reported on 372 solicitation campaign financial reports. Organizations often use more than one method, in which case all methods are counted in the totals.
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Additional information on registered entities, best practices guides, nonprofit board member training, registration tutorials, and other helpful resources for donors and charitable organization are available at the Secretary of State’s Charities and Fundraisers page.