Award Winning Blog - Agitator

Testing Fundraising’s Urban Myth?

WANTED! Curious, concerned, innovative volunteers to participate in discovering the vaccine for Defecting Donor Syndrome We’re about to undertake an applied research project aimed at helping nonprofits increase the retention and Life Time Value of their donors and members. We’re looking for four or five pioneering volunteers to participate with us. At our cost and […]

Learn More June 27, 2011

We’re Not The Only Ones Focused On Retention

Back in April, we asked Agitator readers a simple question: What percentage of your nonprofit’s 1st time donors make a second gift? The final results of our survey … 32% — less than 30 percent converted 29% — 30-39 percent converted 22% — 40-49 percent converted 17% — 50 percent or more converted Not impressive. […]

Learn More June 24, 2011

Belt Tightening Continues

While you’re contemplating yesterday’s Agitator post about who provides the most useful “macro” data about charitable giving trends, contemplate this snapshot of consumer spending intentions. According to the American Pulse Survey, conducted twice monthly across a representative panel of 5,000 Americans, 90% do not expect a pay increase in the coming year. And here’s how […]

Learn More June 23, 2011

Fundraising’s Past Isn’t What It Used To Be

The recent flap over the revision in Giving USA figures for 2008 and 2009 seems a more than a little silly and arcane to us. As reported last week in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, the annual yearbook of charitable giving (revised) is now saying donations fell by higher percentages in 2009 than at any other […]

Learn More June 22, 2011

Telemarketing Success … And More

Here’s a telemarketing success story provided by Operation Smile. But it’s more than that, a point I’ll come back to. Operation Smile has provided free, reconstructive surgery and related healthcare to more than 150,000 children worldwide suffering from facial deformities. The Campaign Goal: Raise $450,000 from a multi-part campaign in order to meet their annual […]

Learn More June 21, 2011

How NOT To Treat A Donor!

If a donor says — “Do not telemarket to me! — put them on a suppression list. If a donor says — “Do not rent my name!” — don’t rent their name. If a donor says — “Remove me from your email list — remove them. Above all, don’t ignore them! Don’t treat them the […]

Learn More June 20, 2011