Award Winning Blog - Agitator

Simply Inexcusable

In this extremely valuable study of giving by wealthy individuals, Indiana University’s Center on Philantropy reports this astonishing finding … The #1 reason wealthy individuals stop giving to a charity they have supported is (pick one): They can no longer afford to give They were dissatisfied with the charity’s performance They were being solicited too […]

Learn More December 2, 2008

Staying on Message

For the past several months we’ve stressed the importance "messaging" and making the fundraising case for your organization as powerfully as possible in these troubled times. Creative consultant and copywriter Bob Levy weighed in again over the Thanksgiving weekend with a piece titled Staying on Message. In it Bob sets forth ominous insights on structural […]

Learn More December 1, 2008

The “Giving” in Thanksgiving

Here in the United States today we celebrate our annual blessings and give thanks. The Canadians got the jump on us a month ago. And we’re celebrating not a moment too soon. With jobs shrinking, money and savings drying up, and with global economic horrors rising, it’s frankly a relief to have a moment to […]

Learn More November 27, 2008

Holiday Food For Thought

If you’re not spendng most of the Thanksgiving holiday traveling, here’s some food for thought over your quiet moments. Something to worry about longer term than making your 2008 fundraising targets! Pew Research has released its detailed analysis of voters under age-30, based on exit polling from the recent election. Here are some numbers that […]

Learn More November 26, 2008

Our Tips For Fundraising In Tough Times

Last Friday, The Agitator hosted over 70 nonprofit fundraisers in a "tele-briefing" on "Fundraising in Tough Times." We reviewed fundraisers’ responses to our recent Vital Signs surveys (results here and here) and offered our advice on how to cope. Attesting to the level of concern out there, we had more attempted subscribers than "seats" for […]

Learn More November 24, 2008

Weekend Edition: Fundraising Warning Bells

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 17th. On down days Grandma Craver attempted to brighten life with the reminder. “Cheer up, Roger. Things could be worse.” Well, this week they got worse, at least where the economy and fundraising is concerned. The warning bells of impending fundraising doom are sounding with more and more frequency and volume. Increasing […]

Learn More November 22, 2008