Award Winning Blog - Agitator

URGENCY: Fundraising’s Double Edge

Among the Agitator/DonorVoice behavioral science principles related fundraising is that of urgency. A sense of urgency signals the relative importance of a task, tackles our procrastination and motivates us to act. On the other hand our behavioral scientists sound this warning: “Deadlines are often used to signal urgency, but they might backfire. Long deadlines give […]

Learn More March 26, 2021

The Postal Wolf Is At Your Door

This is an urgent postal alert. If your organization uses the U.S. Mail for fundraising, membership development, or communications you should be taking action today. Let me explain. The United States Postal Service (USPS) is expected to announce its next rate increase — a whooping 6% to 8.5% depending on the class of mail—by the […]

Learn More March 24, 2021

4 Cognitive Bias Myths

One restaurant is half full, the other empty, which one would you choose? To help us reach a decision faster we use mental shortcuts (known as “cognitive biases”). In this case we’re likely to judge the quality of the restaurant (food, service, ambiance etc.) simply by the number of customers we see dining there. Biases lead to […]

Learn More March 22, 2021

Using Cost of Fundraising to Turn Lead into Gold

Like anxious parents approaching their kid with the inevitable discussion about sex, many boards, CEOs and even some fundraisers dread talking to donors about fundraising costs. Over the years, especially in times of scandal, we’ve written literally dozens of posts on how to talk to donors about fundraising costs. Our bottom-line advice: “Don’t be one […]

Learn More March 19, 2021

Beware of Junk Science

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is the most popular personality test in the world. Fortune 100 love it. Government agencies love it. More than 1.5 million people take it every year. Our only issue with it as social scientists is this: It’s absolute garbage. Otherwise, we too love it. It fails on two fundamental requirements. Not […]

Learn More March 17, 2021

Subjective or Objective Knowledge?

Donors will only give and keep giving if they feel competent. In short, “If I don’t understand your cause or how you fix problems I won’t give.” But what matters more? The donor’s objective knowledge of your cause and how you fix problems, or the donor’s subjective knowledge? Charities often try to explain and give […]

Learn More March 15, 2021