The Roaring Late 1800s?
The roaring lion. The Roaring 1920s. But the Roaring late 1800s? Never heard of it. I don’t know the full source of the chart below or the accompanying list but I spot-checked a few and they were accurate according to the Google machine.
I also don’t know if this list is exhaustive nor how “membership” was defined but what’s here is fascinating or at least interesting.
A few observations:
- Temperance made a few different runs, none with much longevity
- Religion has real staying power (YMCA, Red Cross, Knights of Columbus)
- I have to call “BS” on the American Bowling Congress as having maintained its 1% of US pop membership since the 1930s. Maybe some enterprising Agitator reader will prove me wrong. I do recall when bowling aired on one of the 3, over-the-air TV channels available and seemingly all parents were in a league while their kids sat in smoke filled bowling alleys in the mostly unattended kid room. Those days are long gone.
The golden era of cause based membership is over 120 years ago.
Kevin
Behavioral Science Q & A
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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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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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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