Bloomerang

JULY 6, 2023

Nonprofit strategic planning FAQs What is strategic planning for nonprofits? During the strategic planning process, you should identify areas to spend money effectively in ways that increase your fundraising return on investment. Our nonprofit shouldn’t take any risks. Volunteer boards should take charge of fundraising.

Nonprofit governance and management 117

Nonprofit governance and management Public and Nonprofit Management Nonprofit Administration and Development Nonprofits 117

The Agitator

APRIL 12, 2012

Tom’s post yesterday, Nonprofits and the Customer Experience not only warrants reading a second time, but I also feel compelled to pile on some more emphasis and detail because it goes right to the heart of retention and donor value. First off, most nonprofits actually have a donor service/call center, either in-house or outsourced.

Retention 90

Retention Production Values Activism 90

The Agitator

JANUARY 27, 2015

Sure, not so long ago maintaining the status quo — repeating the same activities year after year — was considered less risky than innovation. These days maintaining the status quo will ultimately kill your fundraising. After all, the reasoning goes, “let others take the risk on ‘new’ things.” Just one problem.

Retention 92

Retention Nonprofit Management Activism Management 92

iMarketSmart

DECEMBER 5, 2022

Fundraising metrics can’t do everything. The best metrics encourage activity. But not just any activity. So, let’s look at some hard stuff when it comes to fundraising. Fundraising math v. fundraising emotion. In both sports and fundraising, the emotions don’t match the math. The right metrics.

Fundraising 52

Fundraising Fundraising Public and Nonprofit Management Nonprofit Administration and Development 52

The Agitator

SEPTEMBER 28, 2010

Target Analytics has just released its Index of National Fundraising Performance for the 12 months of activity through the 2 nd Quarter of 2010. With essentially flat revenue and donor growth from the first half of 2009 through the first half of 2010, there are still some rays of sunshine in an otherwise pretty dreary fundraising sky.

Fundraising 89

Fundraising Fundraising Retention Healthcare 89

The Agitator

NOVEMBER 1, 2017

Despite rising competition, declining numbers of active donors, and falling retention rates most fundraisers continue whistling past the graveyard of the future — blithely ignoring or sidestepping any serious efforts to address these issues head on. The disease nonprofits are not alone. Begin at the Beginning.

Fundraising 56

Fundraising Fundraising Retention Values 56

Bloomerang

JANUARY 22, 2024

Make sure that by starting a new nonprofit, you’ll be able to fulfill an unmet need in the community. Is there a long-term need for your nonprofit, or could the issue be solved with a smaller-scale fundraising campaign or project? Does the community seem excited about your nonprofit idea? The answer could be “both.”

Public and Social Policy 80

Public and Social Policy Nonprofit governance and management Public and Nonprofit Management Charitable Organizations 80

The Agitator

AUGUST 4, 2011

With her usual style, grace and sense of humor Margaret Battistelli Gardner, the Editor-in-Chief of Fundraising Success helpfully added to the growing chorus of concern over donor commitment and donor relationship management. speakers offered “tons of tips on how to build better donor relationships.&#. Therein lies a problem.

Participation and motivation 74

Participation and motivation Retention Fundraising Fundraising 74

The Agitator

OCTOBER 19, 2015

These are the pros who gather, organize, manage and disseminate the information that is the backbone of solid and effective fundraising. Key activities too often ignored or paid short shrift.

Fundraising 84

Fundraising Fundraising Associations Management 84

The Agitator

MARCH 5, 2018

When it comes to donor-centricity/obsession/love/devotion/passion I fear many fundraisers talk a good game while ignoring the fundamental and routine practices that should exist in any organization that truly cares about its donors. Are all departments aware of and focused on the same donor retention, commitment and satisfaction goals?

Participation and motivation 63

Participation and motivation Retention Leadership Donor Motivation 63

The Agitator

JANUARY 21, 2018

Any discussion of metrics in The Agitator must include a nod to “ The Curse of Fundraising Innumeracy ” about an Agitator reader who tried to keep a straight face when someone said they had a 95% retention rate. What are our fundraising appeals if not ways of using numbers to summarize outcomes. The leaky bucket.

Retention 72

Retention Activism Marketing Marketing 72

The Agitator

MARCH 20, 2011

I’ve been fiddling around with a list of favorite fundraising metrics … the fewest numbers I would most like to know about my/your donors to judge my/your direct marketing fundraising performance. First-year retention rate for new donors, by acquisition media (The linchpin of future value).

Fundraising 89

Fundraising Fundraising Retention Recruitment 89

The Agitator

MAY 3, 2010

But backing off from that extreme a bit, and assuming Step #1 was to focus on retention, retention, retention … what else would we do? Step 8: Identify and activate your missionaries. In his challenge, Godin postulated a scenario where it was "impossible" to get new customers or donors.

Retention 94

Retention Production Universities Nonprofit Management 94

The Agitator

DECEMBER 15, 2009

I’ve been hoarding some recent posts by Seth Godin that are especially pertinent to fundraising. Your nonprofit would go broke!! Absolutely, fundraisers must look at lifetime value when calculating how much they can afford to subsidize new donor acquisition. Yesterday I talked about a post where his message was, in effect.

Fundraising 58

Fundraising Fundraising Values Retention 58

EveryAction

NOVEMBER 27, 2018

We've searched far and wide for the best and brightest nonprofit conferences from all around the country! We have everything from: Fundraising & Grants. Nonprofit Management. Nonprofit Technology, and more! Nonprofit Management / #AMI2019 / @NPL_Alliance. Nonprofit Management.

Nonprofit governance and management 105

Nonprofit governance and management Public and Nonprofit Management Associations Finance 105

The Agitator

JANUARY 10, 2010

When we started The Agitator in 2006, fundraising was enjoying a bull market. Just about everyone comfortably met their fundraising targets. As we begin 2010, however, most nonprofits are struggling with their fundraising. What is any given nonprofit raising funds for , after all? Just about everything worked.

Fundraising 56

Fundraising Fundraising Retention Nonprofit Management 56

The Agitator

JULY 21, 2009

The verdict is in from Agitator readers … 2009 fundraising for the first half of 2009 is, well, so-so! First of all, thanks to the 130 readers (81% from nonprofits, 19% consultants/agencies) who completed our mid-year assessment survey. How have nonprofits adjusted to the fundraising environment in the course of 2009?

Fundraising 40

Fundraising Fundraising Retention Nonprofit Management 40

The Agitator

DECEMBER 13, 2017

One non-profit (who wishes to remain anonymous) segments by animal, whether the donor enjoys nature inside versus outside, and whether she involves her children in their nature activities. Those donors who were highly committed to the organization had their retention go down by nine percentage points when they got additional communications.

Non-Profits 74

Non-Profits Retention Medical Communication 74

The Agitator

FEBRUARY 19, 2009

These papers, both dealing with online fundraising, are available only as a benefit for subscribers to The Agitator’s new Premium Service. " activities surveyed. But even among Newbies, these activities are engaged in “frequently&# by very few donors. Based on our DonorTrends survey data, Online Giving 3.0

Fundraising 40

Fundraising Fundraising Retention Activism 40

The Agitator

NOVEMBER 16, 2017

Chip Grizzard in a comment on Part 1 asked what kind of lift, or improvement in second gift conversion and retention is possible using various techniques. What the pro fundraisers do: Wow first-time donors. The real job in fundraising is getting the second gift from a new donor. That’s when the relationship starts.

Retention 49

Retention Values Energy Fundraising 49

NonProfit Hub

MARCH 6, 2020

Silent auctions are a popular and effective fundraising event for nonprofits. End bidding either manually or automatically, depending on whether you’re working with auction management software. Don’t schedule any other event activities during the final moments of bidding.

Retention 52

Retention Management Values Marketing 52

The Agitator

JANUARY 5, 2010

I’ve always believed that issue advocates and campaigners have a far more difficult job (including the related task of fundraising) than political campaigners.

Retention 49

Retention Activism Nonprofit Management Management 49

The Agitator

JANUARY 11, 2010

In fact, Target Analytics’ 2009 Index of National Fundraising Performance for the Third Quarter indicates the decline is speeding up. What strikes me as most worrisome is that now both donor acquisition and donor development (house file activity) are in trouble. Are fundraisers doing something wrong? Or different?

Retention 58

Retention Nonprofit Management Activism Management 58

The Agitator

JUNE 29, 2011

Thanks to Joanne Fritz at About.com for pointing us to this great communications guide from the International Council on Active Aging. No one will ever accuse Roger of not aging actively! Seriously Roger, speaking of retention, other than the ICAA, what organization have you donated to the longest, and for how long?

Retention 63

Retention Activism Communication Marketing 63

The Agitator

JUNE 17, 2018

Jeff Brooks recently posted his 5 th Law of Fundraising, which is “The more effective the fundraising campaign, the more complaints it will generate.”. I would agree with Jeff that having effective fundraising that also generates complaints is possible, but it’s certainly not required and may not be desirable.

Law 56

Law Retention Values Activism 56

The Agitator

SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

Most fundraisers talk a good game these days about the need to build durable donor relationships. They appreciate the pay-off in terms of higher retention, net income and lifetime value. They’ll show you the seven ‘drivers’ of Donor Commitment … the activities and actions you can take to increase Commitment.

Retention 63

Retention Activism Values Fundraising 63

The Agitator

MARCH 15, 2010

Today’s fundraising has its own ‘flat Earth’ beliefs, and as we look at the obstacles and changes fundraisers have faced in the past five years, perhaps it’s time for some changes in our navigational systems. The same dynamic is now occurring in the field of fundraising. Now I know why.

Non-Profits 87

Non-Profits Public and Nonprofit Management Retail Activism 87

The Agitator

JUNE 2, 2009

My vote goes to Pareto’s 80/20 rule — 80% of the value or activity tends to come from 20% (or less) of customers, or whatever the active universe. The rule is confirmed in marketing scenario after scenario, including fundraising. This rule applies whether your portfolio is major gifts or direct response fundraising.

Marketing 40

Marketing Marketing Retention Recruitment 40

The Agitator

JUNE 8, 2011

In case you missed it in Fundraising Success , this advice on how to re-engage lapsed donors from consultant Pamela Barden is sound and practical. A couple of further points … Re-soliciting lapsed donors can be viewed as last-stage donor retention. How much to invest in ‘re-activating’ lapsed donors?

Retention 73

Retention Education Education Activism 73

The Agitator

APRIL 17, 2011

Earlier this month, Roger flirted with firing the direct response fundraisers for the top 83 charities in America. He cited as ’cause of action’ the poor fundraising performance of these organization as reflected in Target Analytics 2010 Index of National Fundraising Performance.

Fundraising 66

Fundraising Fundraising Associations Environmental 66

The Agitator

SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

Our August post on Catch & Release Fishing focused — yet again — on the burning need to get serious about retention. No one explains this better than veteran fundraiser and author Ken Burnett and so below we’re reprinting his most recent insights on this subject in their entirety. Most fundraisers too.

Non-Profits 77

Non-Profits Retention Construction Recruitment 77

The Agitator

AUGUST 5, 2018

Now, more than ever, our nonprofit world cries out for “game changing” innovations and solutions. For many fundraisers, the term “game changing” means some big, bold innovation that can carry us into the Promised Land of Greater Response and Larger Gifts with magical ease. Significant breakthroughs.

Healthcare 49

Healthcare Medical Retention Values 49

The Agitator

JANUARY 12, 2010

At a time when every fundraiser knows the world has changed demographically, psychographically and financially, the ‘global replace’ and ‘copy’ functions in Word and Excel seem to be still working well! Surely, given the qualities of most fundraisers I know, neither stupidity nor sloth are to blame.

Retention 65

Retention Technology Nonprofit Management Marketing 65

The Agitator

JULY 12, 2018

I once had a vendor who accidentally put active donor names into a lapsed telemarketing program. In fact, I said that lack of survey-answering is something that should be included in your retention models, as these are donors less likely to retain. They got a payment for every call that was made. Cui bono ?

Retention 45

Retention Activism Communication Marketing 45

The Agitator

MAY 6, 2009

How much energy do you want to invest in a venue with a 40% retention rate? Tags: Don't Miss these Posts Seth Godin celebrities communications email marketing innovation media usage new media nonprofit management online activism online advocacy online fundraising online publishing social networking.

Energy 40

Energy Retention Activism Nonprofit Management 40

The Agitator

SEPTEMBER 20, 2010

We’ve created a number of volunteer opportunities and awards dinners that we only invite people to who we have deep personal relationships with as an organization because they are loyal and active in our community. For instance, we’re an entrepreneurship focused program that deals in changing lives for a historically underserved population.

Entrepreneurship 67

Entrepreneurship Environmental Retention Energy 67

The Agitator

OCTOBER 1, 2012

Long before the recent spate of media attention on acquisition costs and practices, there was a growing belief on the part of donors that most of their contributions were ploughed back into fundraising and overhead and little used to make the world a better place. We spend as little as possible on fundraising.’. Prepare yourself.

Public and Nonprofit Management 75

Public and Nonprofit Management Finance Retention Philanthropy 75