Award Winning Blog - Agitator

The Investment Paradox – Barriers To Growth, Part 2

There’s no question that the shortage of investment funds for fundraising is perceived as a principal barrier to growth. That sentiment was voiced by many attending the DMANF Leadership Summit last week, and it’s certainly a reason offered in a lot of the comments and email from Agitator readers. The solution to this problem may […]

Learn More May 12, 2014

Let’s Hear It For Ugly

Our pal Jeff Brooks just wrote a post on ugly. Jeff loves ugly and he disses a poor donor prospect who tweeted that he had refused to respond to an email appeal because it was poorly designed. Here’s how Jeff defends ugly: “That’s the way fundraising goes: Ugly works. Tacky works. Corny, embarrassing, and messy […]

Learn More May 9, 2014

Are You Trusting That Trust Will Just ‘Happen’?

Commercial marketers are as concerned as nonprofits, probably even more so, about customer loyalty. And building the trust that serves as the foundation or prerequisite of loyalty. This article by Stephanie Miller of the Direct Marketing Association, Investing in Trust to Gain Loyalty, gives some insight into the commercial direct marketer’s thinking about loyalty and […]

Learn More May 8, 2014

Dear Bernard …

Or is it Dennis? Or is it ‘whoever you are’? Or is it good-bye?! The answer is … good-bye. Fundraising Success just published an item by Dennis Fischman, originally posted on #fundchat. It’s brief and to the point. An important point, so I’m reprinting in its entirety. The Quickest Way To Lose A Donor “Dear […]

Learn More May 7, 2014

Feeling Good Or Feeling Effective

When you personally make a charitable contribution, what’s really going on? Are you looking to feel good or feel effective? You could take the coward’s way out and say ‘Both!’ About two weeks ago I read this column in the NY Times — Donating, and Making Sure the Money Is Put to Work. I set […]

Learn More May 6, 2014

Barriers To Growth – Part 1

A year ago we reported on Adrian Sargeant’s and Jen Shang’s remarkable study — Great Fundraising — revealing steps organizations must take to increase income 2, 3 or even 4 times. Last week, in Overcoming Barriers to Growth, I previewed the DMA Nonprofit Federation’s Leadership Summit by the same name that kicks off this Wednesday. […]

Learn More May 5, 2014