Award-Winning Blog


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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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The Secret To Happiness In A World Gone Nuts

The long Fourth of July weekend is getting underway here in the U.S. as Americans head for beaches, barbeques, parades and fireworks to celebrate Independence Day. Agitator readers North of the border will mark Canada Day tomorrow and in two weeks our French readers will celebrate Bastille Day. Regardless of where we live it seems […]

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