Award Winning Blog - Agitator

Getting Noticed

Yesterday I reminisced about the “old days” when a small handful of “big brand” media delivered the news that fueled the fire in the belly of donors to many causes. Through their coverage, those same media — NY Times, PBS, CNN, NPR — also provided the credibility that helped build many of the biggest “cause” […]

Learn More July 9, 2010

Fundraisers Once Followed The News

My nonprofit fundraising and communications experience has been grounded primarily in the world of advocacy organizations, as opposed to mainstream charities focused on health research, education and the like. And more narrowly still, advocacy of the center-liberal persuasion. For groups like that, prospecting for donors historically meant tracking the news coverage (for controversy) and targeting […]

Learn More July 8, 2010

The World Cup Of Fundraising

Having just watched The Netherlands eliminate Uruguay (justice being served IMHO), I moved on to reading fundraiser Mal Warwick’s latest newsletter. In particular, an article by Tom Ahern titled We don’t care what our donors think of us caught my eye. Tom talks about a recent fundraising conference where 150 attendees were asked if they […]

Learn More July 7, 2010

Kvetching Online

The Harris Poll released some data recently on use of social media to criticize or compliment brands. They found that one-third of US adults use social media to air their feelings, positive or negative, about a company, brand or product. Within that group the percentage of complainers and complimenters are roughly equal … a bit […]

Learn More July 6, 2010

Consumer Reports Sentiment Index

Consumer Reports publishes a series of monthly indices on consumer’s economic well-being … all based on survey research. The latest report is not a source of much optimism that consumers are feeling better about their financial prospects or might be more inclined to spend (or donate). For example, their “Trouble Tracker Index,” which measures individuals’ […]

Learn More July 2, 2010

Exemplary Donor Stewardship

The recent e-letter of donor loyalty specialist Lisa Sargent describes how the Atlanta Union Mission builds relationships with its donors. AUM provides emergency food and shelter, residential recovery programs and transitional housing for men, women and children. Lisa’s article focuses on AUM’s cultivation program for $5,000+ donors, but I was equally intrigued by a brief […]

Learn More July 1, 2010