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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. In the game, expressing desire for a social, helpful-reciprocity relationship is meaningful. Do these signal a social, helpful-reciprocity relationship? How well do charities manage this hidden impact problem?

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How transactional donor relationships kill generosity

iMarketSmart

In a scale, it might look like this: Helpful reciprocity Loved one (lover, spouse, close family) Friend Teammate Colleague Neighbor Community member Transactional reciprocity Customer Merchant Stranger Harmful reciprocity Competitor Enemy Relationship signals are reciprocity signals. It’s saying, “We’re not here to help you!”

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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]. But increasing anger didn’t work if the gift just generally helped people. Does this mean that deadlines help? Explorations in political psychology.

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How Restricted Gifts Can Actually Be a GOOD Thing — And Why You Should Embrace Them

iMarketSmart

When a charity manager gets to issue the instructions, it’s “unrestricted.” A gift restriction can help. Charity managers don’t like them. They can think, “The novice-donor is trying to take control from the expert-manager. What if a family member responded like a typical charity manager? It’s silly. It’s wrong.”.

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What Dr. James means when he recommends you harness the power of storytelling in major gifts fundraising

iMarketSmart

2] It might be external, public, and commercial. This helps because we know, intuitively, when a story works. This also helps appeal to the widest range of donors. It not only helps get the big gift. It also helps deliver a donor experience worth that gift. A charity can provide value to many people in many ways.

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Dr. James explains why the feeling “People like me make gifts like this” is so powerful in major gifts fundraising

iMarketSmart

Givers benefit from their enhanced public reputation. Givers get no benefit from their public reputation. Some gifts may help reputation, while others won’t. This helps link the challenge to a victory. The gift helps my group. And it helps my standing within the group. It helps the donor move to a “yes.”

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Why you must deliver value in fundraising, not just take the money and run

iMarketSmart

The noble dream Small nonprofits have needs. And besides, the struggling nonprofit is doing good things; it deserves a big gift. Suppose a friend asks for your help. The manager says, “Things are tight right now. The manager hesitates. It is now,” laughs the manager. Often, it’s obvious. But it’s fine.

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