Award Winning Blog - Agitator

Taking Advantage of Donor Loyalty, the Donor-Centered Way

The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently reported that revenue from online donations grew more than 15 percent in 2020 Before the coronavirus outbreak, revenue from one-time online donors had declined by 1% from 2019 to 2020. Presumably, the increase is attributable to the fact that because of the pandemic nonprofits moved the bulk of their fundraising […]

Learn More October 8, 2021

The Messy Middle of Fundraising

What makes you, you? One camp says it’s all down to your unique genetic code. Based on this nature camp, your DNA determines not just your physical but also your psychological traits. At the other end of the spectrum there’s a camp that puts the emphasis on nurture; it’s what’s outside your body – the […]

Learn More October 6, 2021

Taxonomy of Donor Messaging

If you take nothing else from this post, take this: there is an awful lot that is known about your donors. Too often we think we know very little about our donors. Consequently, we believe tailoring messages to who they are is seemingly impossible. Sadly, this means everyone gets the same thing. Taxonomy is […]

Learn More October 4, 2021

What’s On Your Envelope: Teaser? No Teaser? Both?

In direct mail the outer envelope—the carrier—has only one purpose. To get ripped open. The other day I received an announcement of a direct mail course offered by Tom Ahern, one of the best copywriters in our sector. His headline graphic perfectly raises the question every great copywriter often spends hours answering: “What intriguing thing […]

Learn More October 1, 2021

One More Way I’ve Probably Ruined My Kids

The echo chamber is getting louder, we tune out damn near everything that doesn’t match what we already believe and we’re much more likely to distrust anyone not like us. Partisan agreement between spouses was around 60% in the mid 60’s, it’s now closer to 85%. Pew research shows partisans have few friends from the […]

Learn More September 29, 2021

Brain Dead Fundraising

If Kevin had doubts about the quality of HP’s request for feedback on printer cartridges, he’d love what landed in my inbox. “Brain dead!” That’s how one of the best fundraisers I know described a digital appeal he received from the Democratic National Committee and forwarded to the Agitator . For those of us continually […]

Learn More September 27, 2021