We’re Flabbergasted
This post in Don't Tell The Donor really surprises us, since we generally find this guy quite insightful … hence his inclusion on our blogroll.
Basically the post calls “total rubbish” the following comment by a writer for a local business publication:
Today, nonprofits need to operate like a business. Budgeting funds is a must, along with executing careful and appropriate fund raising with outcome measures in place to asses its use of funds and success.
For the record, the local biz writer goes on to say (here's the full article):
Measuring outcomes is more than just good management. Having accessible outcomes data also improves the organizations capacity to fund raise and advocate on behalf of its mission and clients. Nonprofits need to market what they do to their community and have open books for their funders.
To which we say: Absolutely! Absolutely! Absolutely!
“Total rubbish”!?
To not understand that the fundamental demand for accountability is growing — in fact, becoming paramount — among each and every donor category is like denying gravity exists. Indeed, that's one of the key strategic conclusions of the very NYU Wagner School study on donor confidence apparently misread by Don't Tell The Donor. Here's our review of the must-read Wagner Study from awhile back, which includes a link to the full study.
If you “Don't tell the donor” how you are achieving outcomes and carefully stewarding her or his contributions you might as well kiss that donor good-bye. Whatever the role other institutions, like big business, have played in undermining public trust in general, like it or not, that diminished trust in all institutions is the reality every fundraiser and every nonprofit must confront head-on today.
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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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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