Retention - Agitator

Metrics

Is Your Quality Data 3,008 or So 2000 and Late?

The Black-Eyed Peas may not be in my most played list but hey, a catchy, memorable lyric is a catchy, memorable lyric. Retention data is the rearview mirror view on quality, it’s 2000 and late. It’s a lagging indicator of quality. You don’t need more donors, you need more donors who stick around. But if […]

Learn More April 14, 2023

Remember When You First Fell In Love?

You were sure that exhilarating rush would last forever. Alas, as we all know, the early flames of a long-term relationship usually die down. A stable bond replaces the exhilaration. BUT…that bond needs occasional juicing if it’s to stay healthy and deepen. A good deal of what the Agitator covers focuses on the essential task […]

Learn More March 27, 2023

Repeat Giving Gamified

Wordle will tell me how many consecutive days I’ve played, my streak. Same for Peloton and the activity app on my watch and phone. Streaks, we love to maintain em’. It becomes a goal unto itself. And if that goal is tied to an Identity – as runner or biker or puzzle person – then […]

Learn More March 22, 2023

What Gets Measured Can Be Better Managed

We manage lots and lots of thing that we don’t measure at all or well. That’s the nature of business and human enterprises. But, I’d argue measuring makes managing better. The question isn’t can we measure or should we but rather, what’s worth measuring. ‘Worth it’ is often traded off for easy. Take engagement data. […]

Learn More February 22, 2023

Adopters as Sustainers? Calling All Cat and Dog Lovers.

It can be a dog eat dog world in fundraising these days. Costs going up, yields down. Everybody wants more sustainers but how? What if the best source in the animal welfare world is your adopter file? To find out more and hear about this significant source of sustainers and share in actual experiences join […]

Learn More February 3, 2023

Are You Giving Your Donors the Trump Treatment?

For whatever unfathomable reason my brain somehow connected coverage of Donald Trump’s bizarre eulogy at a supporter’s funeral with some of the lousy behavior exhibited by some nonprofits in dealing with their donors. Let me explain. At a memorial service for Rochelle “Silk” Richardson, half of the rabidly vocal pro-Trump commentary duo of Diamond & […]

Learn More January 27, 2023

Remember When?

I remember when people were in awe of email. They loved it. Until they didn’t. The convenience –the ability to communicate directly and personally in writing regardless of time zones and free of telephone buzzy signals or answering machines and fax machines—was astounding. Unfortunately, that early awe of convenience and effectiveness has now morphed into […]

Learn More January 6, 2023

Fundraising And Dating

Badoo is a dating app with almost half a billion registered users worldwide and 300,000 new, daily sign ups. But the dating app biz is a crowded space with low barriers to trying other dating apps, low barriers to exit and high promiscuity (had to, sorry). So, customer acquisition is only as good as their […]

Learn More January 4, 2023

Is Gratitude a Top Priority for Your Organization?

As we count our many blessings in this season of Thanksgiving I hope a top priority for your gratitude runs to your donors. Not only is saying Thank You the polite action to take with your donors every day of the year, but wise fundraisers also know in this special season it’s particularly important—and quite […]

Learn More November 23, 2022

Your Unicorn is Only Two Clicks Away

Click. Like. Follow. Attend. Or is it attend, follow, click, like? Non-financial behavior may be useful but there are lots of weak-tea ideas being trotted out under the banner of Engagement requiring Agitator scrutiny. Here are my top two notions about Engagement that should be relegated to the dung pile where optimists and engagement hustlers look for […]

Learn More November 21, 2022

Ask A Behavioral Scientist

Behavioral Science Q & A

Q: As a designer who works with non-profits on fundraising strategy, I see the language like the following: “Our supporters help empower every girl, ensuring she has the resources she needs.” I do not think the word “help” is useful–I think “Our supporters empower every girl, ensuring she has the resources she needs. ” is much more engaging. Thoughts?

Whether “help” is more engaging or not really depends on the framing and context. The word help can sometimes weaken the perceived agency of the supporter, making their role feel secondary rather than central (your point). On the other hand, help can also signal collaboration rather than implying full ownership of the outcome, which might […]

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Q: We started offering a donor cover option last april 1. The data to date suggests this may be dampening giving.eg. those who say yes to donor cover have a lower average gift (based on analysis of 6000+ gifts). I’m wondering if those who give lower gifts feel more guilt and therefore say yes to donor cover or if the presence of donor cover is making people adjust (lower) their gift size to accommodate the extra 3%. Would love any insights you have.

Great question! Here’s how behavioral science can help unpack what might be happening: Pain of Paying: Even a small extra charge can make giving feel more transactional than emotional, potentially reducing generosity. Fairness Concerns: Some donors might perceive donor cover as a surcharge rather than a contribution to the cause. If they feel the charity […]

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Q: When writing an appeal, I waffle back and forth between writing “Your gift CAN…” or “Your gift WILL…” Any studies of which of these two words is best for an appeal?

The choice between “Your gift CAN…” and “Your gift WILL…” taps into the psychological framing of certainty vs. possibility. Currently, there is no academic research directly comparing these two framings in charitable appeals. However, I suspect no framing is universally better—the outcome likely depends on your target audience and the campaign’s goal. Here are some thoughts: Certainty Framing – […]

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Q: Do you have any insight on whether integrating an individual giving appeal with other comms from the charity in both appearance and messaging can uplift results? Or does the actual appeal become ‘lost’ for lack of stand-out?

Integrating an individual giving appeal with other communications from a charity can have both positive and negative effects, and the outcome largely depends on how it’s executed. Advantages of Integration Brand Consistency: Maintaining a consistent appearance and messaging across all communications can reinforce the org’s brand identity and strengthen brand recognition and trust among your […]

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Q: Is there any research on response rate impact in direct mail when referring to a sustainer gift as ongoing or recurring (catching all frequencies) v. monthly or annual?

I’m not aware of any in-market tests specifically comparing recurring vs. gift frequency language. I suspect the answer might not be the same with all gift frequencies, nor with all people. It sounds like a great opportunity for you to test and find out what works for your audience. Based on the literature, here’s a couple […]

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Q: A major conservation nonprofit sends me lots of mail, many of which have on the envelope “time to renew” or “2nd notice.” I find this practice deceptive, especially as I haven’t given to said organization since 1997. It must be effective or they wouldn’t do it. But is it ethical?

Based on what we know from existing data, those renewal notices can actually be pretty effective in getting people to donate. They tap into our psychology – creating a sense of urgency, reminding us of past support, and using personalization to make the message hit home. They’re playing on our natural tendencies to feel obligated […]

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Metrics

Is Your Quality Data 3,008 or So 2000 and Late?

Remember When You First Fell In Love?

Repeat Giving Gamified

What Gets Measured Can Be Better Managed

Adopters as Sustainers? Calling All Cat and Dog Lovers.

Are You Giving Your Donors the Trump Treatment?

Remember When?

Fundraising And Dating

Is Gratitude a Top Priority for Your Organization?

Your Unicorn is Only Two Clicks Away

Ask A Behavioral Scientist

Behavioral Science Q & A

Q: When writing an appeal, I waffle back and forth between writing “Your gift CAN…” or “Your gift WILL…” Any studies of which of these two words is best for an appeal?

Q: Do you have any insight on whether integrating an individual giving appeal with other comms from the charity in both appearance and messaging can uplift results? Or does the actual appeal become ‘lost’ for lack of stand-out?

Q: Is there any research on response rate impact in direct mail when referring to a sustainer gift as ongoing or recurring (catching all frequencies) v. monthly or annual?

Q: A major conservation nonprofit sends me lots of mail, many of which have on the envelope “time to renew” or “2nd notice.” I find this practice deceptive, especially as I haven’t given to said organization since 1997. It must be effective or they wouldn’t do it. But is it ethical?

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