Donor habits are shifting — and not just in how much people give, but in how they give. With rising economic uncertainty, many donors are giving differently, or not at all. For charities and non-profits, including hospice societies, this is a signal to rethink traditional fundraising models.

BCHPCA recently completed a 10-year CRA analysis comparing government funding to other sources like donations. Between 2018 and 2023, donations to hospice societies declined by as much as 16% year-over-year. This ongoing drop highlights an urgent need to explore new, more resilient ways to generate funding.

In response, BCHPCA is exploring innovative fundraising models to better support hospice societies. Emerging trends include:

• Reducing large-scale in-person events that carry high costs
• Expanding low-barrier options such as raffle ticket, 50/50, etc. sales
• Exploring partnerships with builders, contractors to launch home lotteries, a model that has gained popularity and proven success in other sectors

Why home lotteries? Research shows that during economic downturns, people are more inclined to purchase lottery tickets. Home lotteries, in particular, offer wide appeal and strong returns when done strategically — especially because they provide the chance to win a tangible, life-changing item that people can dream about and invest hope in.

As we adapt to this changing landscape, BCHPCA remains committed to supporting our members with tools, partnerships, and shared learning. Have you explored new fundraising approaches? We’d love to hear from you.

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