Auf Wiedersehen … And Thanks
I’ve always thought of him as a kid. After all, he is several years younger than I.
For years and years Mal Warwick has always been there. At conferences. Giving seminars. On planes. On panels. No one I’ve ever met gave back more to our profession than Mal.
So today, when I opened my email from Mal to learn that he was packing it in and turning over the reins of his first rate newsletter, with the understated moniker of Mal Warwick’s Newsletter, and moving on, I shed a tear. (Something we Agitator editors aren’t supposed to do.)
Mal is turning his beloved and well-read newsletter over to Dan Doyle, who’s run his company for the last several years. I’m sure Dan will do a great job and here at the Agitator we’ll continue running the best of that publication’s very good stuff.
Frankly, Tom and I both agree that Mal can be a real pain in the ass. His constant remarks, suggestions, and damn near daily criticisms made us all better. We will miss his insights and Calvinist-like standards … where good was never good enough.
What must not go unnoticed or unremarked upon in this transition is the fact Mal gave to our profession/craft/trade far more than he ever took.
Mal, you done good. And you deserve a raise!!!!!!
Roger
P.S. Of course, like all good fundraisers, Mal ain’t quittin’. He’s now devoting his time – full time – to One World Futbol. Say thanks to Mal and get on board with your support, please.
6 responses to “Auf Wiedersehen … And Thanks”
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 […]
Read Full Answer
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 […]
Read Full Answer
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 […]
Read Full Answer
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 […]
Read Full Answer
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 […]
Read Full Answer
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 […]
Read Full Answer
Was fortunate to have my very first fundraising job working for one of Mal’s companies and haven’t stopped learning things from him in 25 years. Thanks Mal for all you’ve done for fundraising!
I was a neophyte fund-raising professional in the 1970s when I first began to taste of the wisdom of Mal Warwick — reading everything I could find and encountering him at conferences and workshops.
Like so many others in nonprofit advancement, especially back in the days when direct-mail fund raising was pretty much IT in terms of methodologies, I learned a lot from Mr. Warwick and from the many others who were taught by him.
It is truly the end of an era when a guy like Mal Warwick “retires.” Good luck Mr. Warwick. And thanks a million (donor dollars)!
Mal, we’re all going to miss you! Thank *goodness* we still have Roger. 🙂
Fondly,
Harry
Thank you for a great tribute to Mal! Mal was my number ONE mentor, guide, business partner, and dear friend. No fully tested, 4-page super-star letter can express my gratitude to this gifted, generous friend. On to his next venture of good —- Gooaaalllll !!!
Joe White
Ten years ago I went directly from the foundation world to nonprofit fundraising. In my first job as development director for a community health agency I was given the task of reversing the four-year decline of their annual membership program. I didn’t know beans about fundraising or appeals and here I was, given less than three months to put together a mailing to 70,000.
Mal Warwick literally saved my hide. Revolution in the Mailbox became my bible and led me through an enormously successful mailing then – and for a number of organizations since.
Last year I reached out to him to nervously ask if he’d be willing to do a telephone call for my readers and he very graciously and generously agreed. A true gentleman in the world of fundraising. Thanks so much Mal – and all the best!
I never had the pleasure of working with, or even meeting, Mal. Yet, he gave me a great deal through the years. I am especially grateful for the work he did on changing our perceptions of where our planned giving efforts should be focused through his involvement in the research that was reported in the book “Iceberg Philanthropy.”
Thank you.