Life After Fundraising
“Life after fundraising” doesn’t mean you stop trying to save the world.
Take the example of one of our favorite fundraising veterans, Mal Warwick.
Mal ‘dropped out’ of fundraising a couple of years ago to devote his energies to One World Futbol.
We’ll let his latest update speak for itself …
Hi, Folks!
I’m writing you from Shanghai about an extraordinary development at One World Futbol.
Less than two hours ago, at a crowded press launch here in Shanghai – and at a similar press event in Detroit – Chevrolet announced a three-year sponsorship of the One World Futbol Project. The company will pay for us to manufacture and distribute 1.5 million virtually indestructible One World Futbols to nonprofits, government agencies, schools, and other organizations working with disadvantaged children around the world. This is the largest distribution of donated soccer balls ever undertaken.
Now, exciting as all this is, I don’t want to give you the impression that the hundreds of journalists who crowded into the press conference here were hot on the trail of One World Futbol, or even Chevrolet, for that matter. The hullaballoo surrounded the other sponsorship Chevrolet announced at the same time: Manchester United, the storied football (“soccer”) team based in Manchester, England. Man United is the world’s most popular sports team, with a fan base recently estimated at 659 million. (That number is not a typo.) We’re extremely excited to be in such exalted company!
As you know (or even if you don’t), I joined the One World Futbol Project two years ago as one of four partners, leaving my operational role in Mal Warwick Associates to free me up for the intense work of launching a startup business. We already have tens of thousands of balls in play in 135 countries, but that’s just scratching the surface. The real work starts now—distributing 1.5 million soccer balls.
If you just happen to know the minister of education or the minister of sports in some emerging nation that could make use of 100,000 soccer balls that never go flat, never need a pump or needle, and go on playing even when punctured . . . well, please let me know!
Cheers, mal
Even though he’s left the fundraising playing field, Mal’s still scoring goals.
Soccer balls anyone? Large orders only!
Roger and Tom
3 responses to “Life After Fundraising”
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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My son’s church youth group has raised $ to purchase a box (24) of One World Futbol’s to bring on a mission trip this summer to Cheyenne River Sioux Lakota Reservation in South Dakota with http://www.simplysmiles.org/ Great mission and work Mal, nice call out Roger and Tom! Mary Beth McIntyre, Win-Win Giving
Check out this help for One World Futbol coming via from Joan Smyth Dengler at Covenant House:
Hello Mal –
After reading Roger’s post today, I shared your message with Carolina Escobar Sarti who runs our program in Guatemala. She spoke with the government and they’re interested in 50,000 soccer balls for their kids.
I’m copying Carolina here, so that you two can connect and perhaps work something out for the children of Guatemala.
Thanks for this wonderful project!
Joan
Hi Mal
Following on Roger and Tom’s Agitator mailing last week, Brad Bing, MD of Sporting Chance is South Africa is interested in chatting to your further about this. His email address is brad@sportingchance.co.za
Many thanks
Sarah