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The importance of expressing impact and gratitude in fundraising

iMarketSmart

Biologists model reciprocal altruism with a game.[1] But it helps the other player more than it costs. Let’s go back to the first law. In the primal game, giving has an unbreakable law: Giving must be seen by partners who are able and willing to reciprocate. 3] Both work by supporting reciprocal social relationships.[4]

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How Enhancing a Donor’s Moral Identity Can Advance their Donor Hero Story

iMarketSmart

For example, it can enhance public reputation. More precisely, it’s a pro-social code.[3] 3] Pro-social actions benefit the group. This gift may be simply an individual helpful act. But it can help the group in another way. It can support a shared pro-social code.[4] 1] But fundraising can do more.

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3 Big Reasons Why An ‘Ask’ Is Mostly About Your Donor’s Hero Story (Not Your Organization’s)

iMarketSmart

For a human rights charity, it increased donations to mention that it “works in countries that have recently passed laws that harshly restrict nonprofit organizations.”[9]. This can happen with natural disasters or social and political events.[14] But increasing anger didn’t work if the gift just generally helped people.

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Dr. James explains what happens when fundraising metrics go bad

iMarketSmart

But they aren’t helpful as a short-term metric to guide behavior. Now, suppose we’re managing a group of social media “influencers.” The social media manager then shares the best metrics for managing “writers” and their “output.” Metrics can help, but only a little. This social/sharing world has different rules.

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What’s in a Name? The Ethics of Building Naming Gifts

Stanford Social Innovation Review

Naming gifts provide donors with reputational and market value , what legal scholar William Drennan refers to as “ publicity rights ,” and beneficiary organizations and their constituents with financial and mission-driven value. Yet over time, perpetual naming gifts for facilities may prove detrimental to future generations.

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