Salvation Army Troops On
Maybe it’s an age bias, but in terms of personal fit, I tend to think of the Salvation Army as pre-dating even my generation (which in terms of sheer history — founded in 1865 — of course they do … although I’m not so sure about Roger).
But they consistently stand out for modernizing with the times and trying new tactics in their fundraising. More than most ‘old-line’ charities. Search The Agitator for Salvation Army and you’ll see what I mean.
Here’s the latest from the NY Times on the Sallies taking their ‘red kettle’ donations via credit card with mobile devices.
The Salvation Army collected $148 million in coins and bills in its kettles in 2010. Will credit card swipers make a dent in that pot. I doubt it. But good on the Salvation Army for trying to become even more donor-friendly.
Something tells me the Salvation Army probably isn’t run by a bunch of 30-somethings. Clearly innovation isn’t the exclusive preserve of the newbies to the sector.
Tom
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 […]
Read Full Answer
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 […]
Read Full Answer
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 […]
Read Full Answer
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 […]
Read Full Answer
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 […]
Read Full Answer
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 […]
Read Full Answer