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Can You Say “Billion” Without Stuttering?

Authored by JerryHuntsinger, Guest Agitator Here they come! The hurricanes of 2006! How many? How deadly? They already have names…Berly, Rafael, Debby, Oscar… And why was 2005 such an active and disastrous hurricane season? According to Dr. Jeff Masters, Director of Meteorology at Wunderground.com, your guess is as good as his. Maybe global warming. Maybe […]

Learn More June 27, 2006

Still in Silos?

The Boston Globe has announced that it is merging the editorial staffs of its print and online editions. This reflects today's digital realities in terms of the need for cross-platform brand consistency, the economics of producing content, and the desire of readers to use both media. Are your printed newsletters and publications still in a […]

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About Warren Buffet’s $37 Billion Plus Gift

The morning papers and networks lead with the story of Warren Buffet's decision to give away 85% of his wealth ($37+ billion) beginning in July. The story first appeared yesterday in a Fortune Magazine exclusive by Carol J. Loomis, FORTUNE's Editor-At-Large. In an interview with Ms. Loomis, Buffet tells how and why he arrived at […]

Learn More June 26, 2006

Dipping Your Toes into Blogging?

If you're new to blogging, or are considering a blog for your org, here's a worthwhile study from UMass based on interviews with several dozen experienced bloggers. Most are not household names, but all have a lot of experience under their belts. I found the verbatims a lot more thought-provoking than the stats. #1 takeway: […]

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Watching People Use Media

The Online Publishers Association has just released A Day in the Life: An Ethnographic Study of Media Consumption, based upon researchers directly observing the media usage of 350 Americans for 13 hours in a day. The research was done by Ball State's Center for Media Design. If you're interested in how web use interacts with […]

Learn More June 24, 2006

Pay Attention to Karl Rove

Karl Rove has won some important elections. His views on conservatives' use of the Internet are worth noting. Here's a tease from a recent interview in the Victory New Hampshire website (scroll toward end of interview): “I do also think that the Internet has proven to be a more powerful tool on our side than […]

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Can’t Escape Longer vs. Shorter!

Maybe you thought you could escape the “longer vs. shorter” debate as fundraising moves online. Not so. Here's a study that tested the efficacy of longer vs. shorter online video ads. And the winner is …

Learn More June 22, 2006

Giving Tops $260 Billion in 2005

Two big reports just out on U.S. charitable giving. Giving USA Foundation estimates total giving at $260.28 billion, a 2.7% increase from the previous year. An estimated $7.4 billion was given to address natural disasters, accounting for about half of the increase in giving from 2004. Sectors receiving increased giving were human services, the environment, […]

Learn More June 20, 2006

NPR — Mother’s Milk Adds Steroids

Any progressive cause group that has ever researched its constituency knows that NPR has consistently topped the media preference charts for progressive donors … hands down. At the recent Webbies, the online Oscars, NPR won more awards than any other broadcaster for its digital media efforts, which are described in detail in this Ad Age […]

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Blogging for Non-Profits

Here's an excellent discussion of the ins and outs of blogging for non-profits, courtesy of TechSoup. Lots of ideas and resources here.

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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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