Are You A Fundraising Fox, Or Hedgehog?
That’s the question raised by Damian O’Broin, as featured in the latest update from SOFII.
He relates the old ‘fox versus hedgehog’ story, in which the dowdy hedgehog day-after-day outwits the flashy, cunning fox … who always has a plan, but never learns.
Damian uses the story to make a point about the unglamorous work of donor care, referencing a previous Agitator post on the subject.
The fundraiser ‘fox’ is always looking for the next new thing … social media, mobile, a new online widget. And sure, The Agitator supports that curiosity, experimentation and innovation*.
But the fundraiser ‘hedgehog’ is more likely to be bringing in the cash!
It’s a question of priorities and balance … how well do you balance these competing requirements?
Tom
*Indeed, I want you — I implore you — to register for Roger’s upcoming Fundraising Success Virtual Conference presentation on the future of mobile fundraising and engagement! Yesterday, Roger gave a preview of his thinking.
2 responses to “Are You A Fundraising Fox, Or Hedgehog?”
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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My rule is 85-15. I spend 85% of my time, budget, etc. on the tried and true. 15% is left for experimentation. I find this urges creativity and testing, but without eliminating proven strategies.
Great post by Damian. I honestly admit that sometimes I can be a fox especially when faced with unfamiliar and difficult tasks. It is really a challenge and an opportunity to become a hedgehog for these situations 🙂