Award Winning Blog - Agitator

Only “C” For This Fundraising Video

An Agitator reader commended this fundraising video … "I loved this video appeal from the Jewish Federation in Philadelphia. It is simple and lovely, probably low budget." http://www.jewishphilly.org/page.aspx?ID=204926 I’m afraid I have to disagree. I’m always saying "more emotion" in fundraising. Certainly this video (more like a slide show) tries to touch our heartstrings … […]

Learn More December 10, 2009

Grist Online Fundraising

Last week, I received an email fundraising pitch from Grist, the environmental e-magazine … A Beacon In The Smog. I thought it was very well put together … 1. It used video (you know I like that!). 2. It’s style and tone was totally consistent with the Grist brand — used humor nicely. 3. Most […]

Learn More December 9, 2009

Finding Red Balloons

Here’s a fascinating Defense Department experiment that nonprofits can learn from. DoD offered a $40,000 prize to whomever was first to locate ten red balloons placed in various locations around the US … some in very obvious places, some not so obvious. The balloons were eight meters in diameter. The winning team, from MIT, found […]

Learn More December 8, 2009

Holiday Online Giving Will Top $4 Billion

Based on research conducted for them by Forrester Research, Convio estimates that online giving to nonprofits in the US will top $4 billion this holiday season (Nov 1-Dec 31 — up from $3.1 billion in 2008). The Convio study is full of other tidbits on how donors are using internet-based tools and resources to assist […]

Learn More December 7, 2009

No More Impulse Giving?

I read an article that proffered various "new marketing realities" that marketers need to consider coming out of the recession (if and when!). Among the observations: "Customers are no longer buying on impulse. They don’t have the access to credit they used to have, and they’re hoarding their limited resources. Bottom line: They’re spending less." […]

Learn More December 4, 2009

Terrific Email Fundraising Tips

I was going through some "saved" stuff and realized I hadn’t yet called your attention to this terrific compilation of email fundraising tips and resources from Joanne Fritz, nonprofit "guide" at About.com. Lots of good material here. And as Joanne says, email is not dead! But go ahead, Twitter this post if you must. Joanne, […]

Learn More December 3, 2009