The evolution of fundraising in the Italian non profit context: The" Lega del Filo d’Oro" case

The discipline of fundraising sees increasing attention from the scholars due to the worldwide growing of the nonprofit sector and the subsequent competition for private funds. Despite that, many of the studies on fundraising are still limited to the Anglo-Saxon context. This paper thus aims to examine how an organization carry out its fundraising activities in a context where fundraising does not represent the routine procedure for the vast majority of the players. The proper implementation of fundraising can substantially contributes to the organizational success of a non-profit organization. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether and how the fundraising activities have been carried out and which are the stages of evolution crossed by a proficient charity in a Latin context. This study was conducted by using a qualitative methodology; helped by semi-structured interview to the fundraising managers of the organization. The findings showed how the development of fundraising practices has been pushed by international organizations leading to an increasing isomorphism reflected by the phases of fundraising evolution crossed which resemble those highlighted in literature. Recommendations for future advancement in research are made as well as management implications.