Award Winning Blog - Agitator

Stop Bashing ‘Donor-Centricity’

I stormed into Roger’s office yesterday (actually, ranted via Skype), ready to carry the torch for ‘donor-centricity’. [Not that I consider the term one of the most warm and fuzzy I’ve encountered for talking about putting the donor first.] “Why are you dismissive of fundraisers being donor-centric”, I yelled, waving these words from his recent post, […]

Learn More May 18, 2016

Gaining Ground By Cutting Volume

The infographic below is from our sister firm DonorTrends and indicates that for the first time in a number of years the nonprofit sector seems to be more or less standing still — rather than losing ground. A welcome change in direction. You can download the full 2016 Fundraising Effectiveness Survey Report here. In a nutshell […]

Learn More May 17, 2016

Being donor-centric is not function of volume (even though volume biz model horribly broken)

Let’s be provocative from the start; donor-centricity used to be an empty, vacuous, platitude. This, in and of itself, is not a big deal and in fact preferable to the definitions that seem to be filling the empty, vacuous void. First and foremost, volume (i.e. cadence) seems to have quickly stepped in to become “a”, […]

Learn More May 16, 2016

Fighting the Fundraising Excuse Machine. Seeking Ultimate Answers

Tom and I had a productive last week with our series of posts on ‘what’ or ‘who’ is at fault when it comes to the issue of holding on to and enhancing — or destroying — the value of donors. Tom tossed the first piece of tinder on the fire with his post Who’s Fibbing […]

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WARNING: You’re Prohibited From Contacting Donors After 1/1/17

“We regret to inform you that as of January 1, 2017 nonprofits will not be permitted to contact their donors without the express written consent of each donor.” Once you’ve picked yourself off the floor with the fear you can’t meet next year’s goal, exactly what action steps will you take to prepare for what […]

Learn More May 13, 2016

Doing The Same. Hoping For A Different Result.

Tom’s pieces on Who’s Fibbing? and Are We Getting Roasted? have triggered a lively dialogue for which both Tom and I are grateful. Vigorous discussion at the Agitator’s family table is always welcome. So let’s keep it going with this video introduction: Clearly, many folks know what they should do, but don’t. So like the golfing buddies […]

Learn More May 12, 2016