2016 Fundraising ‘To Do’ List
Agitator readers have had a week now to recover from various holiday diversions and to count the bounty from all those year-end appeals. It’s time to get on with the business of 2016.
And if you’re an organised sort, you’ll begin with a ‘To Do’ list … not just for next Monday, but for the year.
I had imagined I’d make a stab at being wholly original in suggesting some ‘To Do’ items for you to consider, but in looking at my recommendations from last January, I decided these were items most of us still hadn’t gotten done to exacting standards.
So here’s last year’s list (with the links you need to re-visit), augmented by two recommendations Roger made at the time:
1. Get really good at online video storytelling [Here]
2. Get website in shape to attract and convert new prospects. [Here]
3. Build up monthly giving. [Here]
4. Become unforgettable. [Here]
And from Roger:
5. Continue your fundraising education and learning. [Here]
6. Take a risk. [Here]
OK, I can’t resist, here’s one more …
7. Master mobile — take heed of Blackbaud’s latest report on the ascendancy of mobile giving — mobile giving jumped 45% from 2014 to 2015 (reaching 14% of all donations to a sample of 1,193 small and medium-sized nonprofits). What does your organization look like on the small screen?
Anything you’d like to add from your ‘To Do’ list?
Tom
2 responses to “2016 Fundraising ‘To Do’ List”
Behavioral Science Q & A
Integrating an individual giving appeal with other communications from a charity can have both positive and negative effects, and the outcome largely depends on how it’s executed. Advantages of Integration Brand Consistency: Maintaining a consistent appearance and messaging across all communications can reinforce the org’s brand identity and strengthen brand recognition and trust among your […]
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I’m not aware of any in-market tests specifically comparing recurring vs. gift frequency language. I suspect the answer might not be the same with all gift frequencies, nor with all people. It sounds like a great opportunity for you to test and find out what works for your audience. Based on the literature, here’s a couple […]
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Based on what we know from existing data, those renewal notices can actually be pretty effective in getting people to donate. They tap into our psychology – creating a sense of urgency, reminding us of past support, and using personalization to make the message hit home. They’re playing on our natural tendencies to feel obligated […]
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Interesting question. I had a quick look at the testing done on this topic. On the positive side, in all cases, over half of donors decide to cover the fee. In some cases, it goes as high as 65%. Not a negligible percentage at all. Here’s another test from iRaiser showing consistent results (see point […]
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There’s just one thing to consider when designing a supporter journey: the supporter. More specifically, you need to take into account: Who the supporter is i.e. their identity, which is the reason they support this cause, and their personality, which describes the way they “see” and process the world. These will determine the kind of […]
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I’m not an expert in this but a quick search surfaced this article on the effect of tax reforms on 2019’s charitable giving. The researchers didn’t find a reduction. Actually, they observed an “increase in charitable contributions in 2019, even with the lower tax rates and the dramatically smaller number of taxpayers who itemize their […]
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Hello, Agitator,
A great New Year’s resolution list for fund raisers. I would expand #6 to state, “take more risks.”
Not every idea or initiative will be a home run, but you have to create the opportunities for you (and your institution/non-profit) to be more successful.
Evan
One that’s not on your list but something you’ve consistently championed – donor retention. Find new ways to show our donors love.