In Praise Of The Fundraising 6000
I love you.
At least I know I do professionally. The very fact that you’ve logged on to today’s Agitator, or visited/searched our website sometime in the last week means you’re curious. And, of course, that you can read.
I’m convinced by our studies that 57% of all folks who claim they’re ‘fundraisers’ don’t read. Of that 57 %, 100% believe they can write. That’s why almost everything they do regarding copy and case studies and communications sucks.
Frankly, I don’t worry about that 57%. They neither care nor matter much. And even if they did, they don’t read The Agitator. Let alone think. Or follow trends. Or do anything but paint by numbers, assuming they’re even that advanced. They probably do attend the latest XXX or YYY conference for reasons that escape me.
Which brings me back to the remaining 43%. The 43% is kind of a numerical benchmark for so-called “professionals” in our sector. Of this group Agitator readers number only about 6,000. Tried and true folks who care enough to get off their mental butts day after day, or for a few days a week, to see what’s happening and put forth their comments or share our posts with others.
Tom and I aren’t complaining. No online rip and read sheet is like ours and none has our level of readership.
What’s worrisome is those who are absent.
On the ‘lack of curiosity’, or ‘absence of intellectual interest’, or ‘absence of energy’ metrics, as judged by serious Agitator readership, our trade must rank right down there with DMV clerks, baggage handlers, and many nonprofit CEOs — those in trades who get by with under-performing, asking or answering few questions, and suffering little accountability and few consequences for poor performance.
Why is this? This question leads to even more questions.
Why the lack of curiosity in this so-called ‘profession’ of fundraising?
Why the lack of ability to challenge the status quo and fight back?
Why the lack of interest to even help their organizations grow out of the swamp of the conventional?
Why the lack of vision and energy to help their own organizations climb to the mountain top of greatness?
Lots of questions. Few answers.
What concerns me is why does a $300+ billion industry by and large employ a legion of slugs? Uninterested in reading. Unable to think. Unable to question. Unable. Unable. Oops, it’s 5pm … time to go.
Thank heavens Tom and I have you — 6,000 regular, literate and curious Agitator readers leaders. Yay!
I love you.
Do you love your profession enough to demand more of others?
Roger
P.S. Love notes aside, the scarcity of talent in our trade is and must continue to be of real concern. Please see this Agitator post, The Talent Puddle.
17 responses to “In Praise Of The Fundraising 6000”
Behavioral Science Q & A
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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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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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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Interesting question. I had a quick look at the testing done on this topic. On the positive side, in all cases, over half of donors decide to cover the fee. In some cases, it goes as high as 65%. Not a negligible percentage at all. Here’s another test from iRaiser showing consistent results (see point […]
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There’s just one thing to consider when designing a supporter journey: the supporter. More specifically, you need to take into account: Who the supporter is i.e. their identity, which is the reason they support this cause, and their personality, which describes the way they “see” and process the world. These will determine the kind of […]
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I’m not an expert in this but a quick search surfaced this article on the effect of tax reforms on 2019’s charitable giving. The researchers didn’t find a reduction. Actually, they observed an “increase in charitable contributions in 2019, even with the lower tax rates and the dramatically smaller number of taxpayers who itemize their […]
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Love you guys! Spot on!
T-shirts, Roger, we need t-shirts!
p.s. I second Charlie: we love you guys too.
As a transplant from the DM world in DC to now higher-ed in Austin, TX — this is a HUGE problem. Institutions are the problem – and I think a general lack of understanding of our profession by leadership. I report to academics, btw, and this column has become my safe place. THANK YOU for being a lifeline for your readers, especially those outside of DC. LOVE YOU TOO!
Thanks for the “love note” Roger. A good word of encouragement from someone you respect goes a really long way. Appreciate your “rant” this morning. I read your blog daily and believe me….I need it daily! You are mentoring more people through this blog than you know. Thanks again!
How do we unite and create a revolution?
How do we get the rest (including nonprofit CEO’s and board members) to wake up and realize donors have changed and fundraising has changed?
With 6000 strong, we have enough mass to get attention. Maybe we should have our own meeting at one of the big conferences and take a public stand!
BTW, wherever I go to speak around the country and the world, I tell folks that the Agitator is the #1 blog in our industry and that they need to subscribe.
Onward!
“Why the lack of curiosity in this so-called ‘profession’ of fundraising?
Why the lack of ability to challenge the status quo and fight back?
Why the lack of interest to even help their organizations grow out of the swamp of the conventional?
Why the lack of vision and energy to help their own organizations climb to the mountain top of greatness?”
Fear. Exhaustion. Inability to see beyond gimmicks or event-based fundraising.
I agree with Gail that we need to get board members and CEO’s understanding that fundraising has changed. We need to get everyone – including program staff and volunteers – on board. The thing is, when everyone IS on board, and focused on the RIGHT kind of fundraising, you achieve a kind of nirvana. The ‘putting out fires’ mentality goes away.
I was finding myself incredibly frustrated in my own work, which includes courses and a membership program, when people would pay – and yet never attend a webinar or open a course module. And then I decided to focus on those who are attending, those who are implementing, and those who are seeing real results, and doing amazing things.
We hail from a culture that is focused on short-term thinking. So hard to break through that.
Love you guys! Thanks for always making us THINK!
Roger,
You’ve nailed our basic question! We work primarily in the nonprofit healthcare sector and constantly see donor attrition ranging from 60%-85%! In a presentation to 90 development “professionals”, only 5 knew their attrition rate.
Their C-Suite does’t know the right questions. Their board members don’t know what to expect. There’s a constant revolving door in the development office among staff members. In one situation, we acquired 3,000 new donors with a CP$R of $.57 but lost the account to a “new sheriff” who decided to become a “major gift shop”. He was recently terminated after 1.5 years. The vicious cycle continues. Thanks for allowing a “vent channel”!
The Beyond Cash Fundraising Management Dashboard is a brilliant part of the solution: http://www.afpnet.org/files/ContentDocuments/23-Drury%20Handout.pdf
Peter presented to my membership group recently.
Do we need an “Occupy Fundraising” movement?
Agree with all of the comments above, especially concerned about the lack of intellectual curiosity on just how does fundraising work and how as a profession and individuals do we get better and more effective at what we do. I have never believed in the 5pm syndrome, there was so much to read and learn! And please do not get me started on events, I believe they are one of the most harmful things to the profession of fundraising. PS we have same difficulties with talent and effective fundraising in Alaska but we are attempting to address the issue. Thank you again Roger and all of the commentators.
Another vote for t-shirts. And another vote for loving you all back!
I guess the fact that I’m reading this at 10:30 pm, because I just finished a full day, thinking about and working on a project for a client, says something about your readers.
Like everyone else, I love you guys, too. You’re a daily must – even if I can’t get to it until bedtime.
Curiosity is something I’ve looked for throughout my career in the people I hire. If you’re eager and willing to learn, you probably will. If you’re not, you’ll do little that’s creative. And in fundraising, if you’re not curious, how is it you’ll get to know your donors? Wait for them to ask about you?
Everyone else is right – it’s got to happen at the top for things to change.
But I like the t-shirts idea. 🙂
as a curious and voracious reader, i’ll probably sign up for this.
as a CEO, i do so reluctantly because of the smug attitude of this post. certainly not very welcoming. lumping people together might get some positive comments and help the tribe band together. not sure it’s going to further the conversation.
but i’ll read on and see.
Bravo, Buddy,
Welcome!
Lots ofl CEOs regularly read The Agitator. Mostly the savvy ones. Can’t say they’re always happy, but they sure are among the good ones who take the time to understand the key issues involving fundraising.
Too many CEOs don’t bother, and then wonder why the money engine fails. Thank heavens you’re different and curious.
By the way you’re gonna love Monday’s post.
Cheers and, again, welcome,
Roger
Love you too. Keep writing, we are learning and saving lives as a result of knowledge and skills shared.
You know I love you. I can’t believe your insights are only shared by 6,000 people. We are privileged. I couldn’t live without my daily fix.
But be careful, guys and girls, in your blog and 15 responses, ‘ donor ‘ was only mentioned once. An Agitator raise for Gail Perry, perhaps ?
Keep up the good work. It is appreciated.
As a copywriter for the past 20 years, I can verify that every last one of those people in the 57% does indeed believe they can write. 🙂