Award Winning Blog - Agitator

Dear Donor: You Suck

Sometimes the behavior of folks who call themselves ‘fundraisers’ leaves me speechless. For this example, I’ll let Adrian Salmon‘s first-hand report speak for all the real fundraisers who care about donors. Wow! What can I say that’s more succinct than this perfect reaction:No more needs be said. Roger

Learn More July 12, 2017

Can You ‘Hatch’ A Multi-Channel Donor?

I hope you read Roger’s post Monday — 3 Truths And 1 Lie — comparing online and offline donors, and discussing some of the myths involved. And further, I hope you read the analysis by Steve MacLaughlin on which Roger relied. What their analysis confirms is that multi-channel donors — those giving both online and […]

Learn More July 11, 2017

3 Truths And 1 Lie About Online And Offline Donors

Do you really understand the difference between online and offline donors? I sure hope so because there are lots of myths and tribal misinformation floating around out there. Without knowing which beliefs are true and which are false your organization could be shooting itself in the foot — online and off. Steve MacLaughlin, Blackbaud’s VP […]

Learn More July 10, 2017

12 Ways One Nonprofit Kept A Donor Loyal And Engaged For 27 Years

Over the past 35 years I’ve written copy for and brainstormed with my dear friend Morris Dees, co-founder of The Southern Poverty Law Center. Few organizations have practiced donor-centered fundraising as well as SPLC. No detail involving a donor is seemingly too small. (Monthly donors — sustainers — not only get monthly updates but occasionally […]

Learn More July 7, 2017

Ambushing And Intercepting

Fundraisers … let’s not overate ourselves and our powers of persuasion. Maybe — just maybe — fundraisers do convince donors occasionally to make second and subsequent and larger gifts using well-formulated arguments, reasons and cases. But as Tom Ahern nicely observes in his recent e-newsletter, we shouldn’t kid ourselves about that first gift … “Each donor […]

Learn More July 6, 2017

Fundraising Worries From The Coalface

One of my friendly news feeds from Google was kind enough to forward me this guest opinion piece from the Medford (Oregon, USA) Mail Tribune, titled Nonprofits face tumultuous times. The piece was written by Brad Russell, CEO of the local YMCA there, and a board member of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon. Brad seems like a […]

Learn More July 5, 2017