Award Winning Blog - Agitator

A $400 Billion Industry Powered by Anecdote

You’d think a $400 billion industry like ours would have empirically based standards and practices readily available and accessible to all. After all, most sectors — ranging from apple growers to doctors and hospitals, and even zoos — have them. Fundraising doesn’t. What we do have is mass of accumulated tribal wisdom, often conflicting, seldom […]

Learn More July 6, 2018

Volume is not a retention solution (part MMCCLVI)

I feel like I’m taking crazy pills. Yet another agency has argued for more email volume as the solution to online retention. Sigh. Well, once more into the breach. We’ve debunked a lot of this before, so to catch those up just joining us: There is a negative correlation between email volume and retention for us as […]

Learn More July 5, 2018

The Slow, Painful and Costly Death of the “Full Service” Agency

Four years ago In Part 5 of our Barriers to Growth series I raised the question of whether the “full service” fundraising agency has outlived usefulness. More pointedly I wondered whether in fact they’re actually a danger to the sector. Today, I’m revisiting this issue because, if anything, I’m convinced the “full service” agency is more […]

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Celebrating Dissent

This photo of my grandsons Jalen (at left) and Zachary (in the “kiddie cage” at right) joining the national protest against the Trump Administration’s separation of migrant families made me more than proud. It serves as assurance that the gene of dissent has successfully made its way to the next generation. I wanted to share […]

Learn More July 4, 2018

STRATEGY: What it Is. What it Isn’t.

From Make to Stick by the Heath brothers: “Herb Kelleher [the longest-serving CEO of Southwest] once told someone, “I can teach you the secret to running this airline in thirty seconds. This is it: We are THE low-cost airline. Once you understand that fact, you can make any decision about this company`s future as well […]

Learn More July 3, 2018

The Oldest Profession in Fundraising

As our Canadian readers recover from yesterday’s celebration of their 151st Canada Day and American readers prepare for Wednesday’s 242ndcelebration of Independence Day we thought it appropriate to devote this week to reexamining some fundraising fundamentals that may—or may not—be in need of major change or at least updating. Consequently, tomorrow Nick will explore the […]

Learn More July 2, 2018