How science helps you write better fundraising stories

There are many reasons why some stories generate more response from readers than others.   Jeff Brooks highlights a reason in Future Fundraising Now: The motor neurons in our brain are stimulated by action and intent. There are scientific instruments that record brain activity.  Researchers can “see” what stimulates people the most as they read a […]

Read the full article →

Boost nonprofit marketing with direct response copywriting fundamentals

The Agitator summarized an article by Denny Hatch (publisher of Target Marketing).  Denny shares some direct response copywriting fundamentals.  And friends, they’re pure gold whether you’re a nonprofit or a for-profit organization. I repeat five of Denny’s bullets/fundamentals here, and then add my thoughts on what it means for your nonprofit fundraising appeals: The right offer should […]

Read the full article →

When fundraising gets personal … a grassroots example

This is a heart-warming story of friends and strangers helping someone in need through grassroots fundraising.  First a bit of background If you enjoy trains, history, and riding on scenic railways then you might know about “Helmstetter’s Curve.”  John Helmstetter – one of the last full-time farmers in Allegheny County, Maryland – occupies one of […]

Read the full article →

Have a Super Bowl Party with your Association Members via email

Now you might be thinking, “How can I have a Super Bowl party with members who are scattered across the country?”  Valid question.   Answer: Make it virtual. And I’m not referring to anything high-tech.  Just use the Super Bowl to have fun and engage your members.   Don’t worry if your association has absolutely NOTHING to […]

Read the full article →

Ever heard of “Poverty Porn” in connection with fundraising?

I’m hoping the answer is “NO.” In his blog “Future Fundraising Now,” Jeff Brooks shares his thoughts on a blog post from an aid worker in Ethiopia: Owen Barder.  I agree wholeheartedly with Jeff and here I’ll throw in my 2¢ worth. Essentially, Owen disagrees with the need to make a personal connection between donors and […]

Read the full article →

How U.S. Charity workers arrested in Haiti could affect your fundraising

More than one news source has covered this story.  And the US embassy has confirmed that 10 US citizens were being held for “alleged violations of Haitian laws related to immigration”. Apparently the Idaho-based charity was stopped at the border to the Dominican Republic with a bus load of children – supposedly orphans.  But they […]

Read the full article →

Social Media and Insurance Policies are kindred spirits

A great blog post by Augie Ray of Forrester Research compares the risk avoidance of using social media to life insurance and flat tires.  A common lament among marketers – within the nonprofit and for-profit sectors – is that the social media is hard to measure.  Your true ROI (Return on Investment) is unknown.  Whether it’s the marketer […]

Read the full article →

Keep the Haiti donations rolling in for months to come

In “Katya’s Non-profit Marketing Blog” she shares some online giving statistics from Network for Good.  Specifically, how online donations sharply spiked about 2 days after the earthquake in Haiti on January 12th, and then have steadily declined ever since.  As she says, as the headlines and media coverage fade . . . so do our memories.  […]

Read the full article →

Viral fundraising by 7-year old boy raises $240,000 for Haiti

Have you ever tried to create an online appeal (e.g., email or video) so it goes viral?  If yes, the odds are that it didn’t happen. Rarely can we force or manipulate an appeal to become viral.  It’s just something that happens naturally within the market.  It’s the right message . . . right time […]

Read the full article →

The New Super Heroes of Fundraising

A research study by Blackbaud has revealed a relatively new group of fundraisers known as “Super Volunteers.”  This is grassroots fundraising that costs the nonprofit organization next to nothing!  It engages donors in a way that’s exciting and rewarding for them so you also generate more donor loyalty.  Talk about a win-win scenario.  Donors win because they’re […]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →