Award Winning Blog - Agitator

Wow, What A Goof!

Something possessed an Agitator reader to share this amazing goof with us. We’ll keep this person anonymous to protect the guilty, as well as the organization, to spare it (you’d all recognize it) the embarrassment. Here it is: "While with the [organization], I screwed up a letter back in the day of literally cutting and […]

Learn More July 27, 2009

Before You Write A Word!

We welcome a Guest Agitator today, copywriter Lisa Sargent (www.lisasargent.com). Lisa has a bone to pick with nonprofits who try to write effective fundraising copy — themselves or through consultants — without an explicit creative brief to provide the essential guidance. She’s right. Here’s Lisa … Will this letter win … or lose? I have […]

Learn More July 24, 2009

Fundraisers Adjust 2009 Strategies

Yesterday we reported the quantitative results from The Agitator’s Mid-Year Fundraising Assessment survey. Those responses indicated relative calm at this stage of the fundraising year. As Tom summarized: “Being an optimist, I would characterize the results as saying that seven-in-ten fundraisers believe their programs are holding their ground or improving.” As another optimist commented: “Good […]

Learn More July 23, 2009

Fundraisers Divided On 2009

The verdict is in from Agitator readers … 2009 fundraising for the first half of 2009 is, well, so-so! First of all, thanks to the 130 readers (81% from nonprofits, 19% consultants/agencies) who completed our mid-year assessment survey. Here’s the topline of how you are viewing 2009 to date: 1. Has your program performed better […]

Learn More July 22, 2009

How To Measure Loyalty

In this mini-debate from DMNews, three approaches to measuring loyalty are advanced: 1. Lifetime value — the person who buys (donates) the most over the longest period. 2. Share of wallet — the person who devotes the largest percentage of their spend (or donations) in your category to your product/brand (or nonprofit). 3. Referrals — […]

Learn More July 21, 2009

Data Visualization

Sounds like something you don’t want to do, right? Wrong! Seeing data is pretty cool. The Foundation Center last week launched "Philanthropy In/Sight", a data visualization platform designed for grantmakers or anyone seeking to understand the impact of philanthropy throughout the world. I’ll let their release describe this impressive tool: "With this new online tool, […]

Learn More July 20, 2009