Award Winning Blog - Agitator

We Need A World Of Betty Humphries

Here is one of the most fantastic letters you’ll ever read. I’m so happy that Hilborn Charity eNews has shared it. It’s written by 10-year-old Betty Humphries (but soon to be 11 as she points out in her letter), who was inspired to apply for the job of chief executive of Greenpeace. The outgoing chief, […]

Learn More February 12, 2016

Needed: The Stomach And Resolve For Building Donor Relationships

Tom’s post Donor Relationships? Balderdash produced a wonderful wave of comment from donor-oriented Agitator readers on the importance of working hard on designing and tending the relationship garden. Lisa Sargent and Mary Cahalane share the experience and rewards of attentiveness to the donor relationship. Mike Cowart summarizes of a major healthcare organization that, because of […]

Learn More February 11, 2016

Donor ‘Relationships’? Balderdash!

Nonprofit communications guru Tom Ahern has just published a fascinating post in his e-newsletter asking and answering the question: How long does the average donor give? Eventually I expect the article will be available to slowpokes on his website. Before I report the answers to his question (he asked a whole flotilla of consultants and practitioners), […]

Learn More February 10, 2016

Writer’s Block At Agitator’s Southern HQ

It’s a gorgeous summer — yes summer — day at The Agitator’s Southern Hemisphere headquarters, so I’m having a bit of writer’s block. So I’m turning to our readers for help. Think about the coming year and the fundraising performance you’ve projected for your organization. Tell me, what do you see as the single biggest obstacle you […]

Learn More February 9, 2016

Is Your Organization Really Donor-Centric?

There’s a quick test to determine whether a fundraising organization is truly donor-centered or not. Sadly, most groups fail the test … miserably. The test is simple: who in the fundraising/communications department has the most power? If, as is so often claimed (“we’re donor-centric”), the donor is truly the king or queen, then power will […]

Learn More February 8, 2016

Case Study: Raise More, Ask Less

My St. Patrick’s Day post last year — Are You Abusing Your Donors? — triggered a barrage of comments and protestations pro and con. I knew some nerves had been struck. And it wasn’t because of leprechauns or green beer. It was because I raised the question of whether we should reconsider, revise or evolve the direct […]

Learn More February 5, 2016