Selfish Giving

FEBRUARY 5, 2013

On Sunday night I was busy pinning cause-related Superbowl ads on this Pinterest board. There were three cause-related ads in particular that got my attention and sent shivers down my spine (like a good commercial should!). Jeep & USO Team Up for “Whole Again” The best ad of Superbowl night was Whole Again in support of our troops. While the ad didn’t specifically mention the USO, a nonprofit organization that provides programs, services and live entertainment to the troops and t

Nonprofit Organizations 257

Nonprofit Organizations Nonprofit Organizations Nonprofits Marketing 257

Fundraising Coach

FEBRUARY 4, 2013

Last night the power went out at the Super Bowl for 33 minutes and 55 seconds. And brands had a field day using Twitter to add humor and garner brand recognition. CNET reports that during the blackout, Twitter activity was around 231,500 tweets per minute! Tamsen Webster of Allen & Gerritsen and Georgy Cohen of Crosstown Digital did an amazing job of finding and retweeting the best.

Activism 105

Activism Fundraising Fundraising Nonprofits 105

Nonprofit Tech for Good

FEBRUARY 10, 2013

@NonprofitOrgs only follows nonprofit organizations, nonprofit staff, nonprofit service providers, and activists on Twitter. Each morning I browse those that have followed @NonprofitOrgs in the previous 24-hour period and if they are a nonprofit organization, a nonprofit staff member, a nonprofit service provider, or an activist, I follow them back.

Psychology 106

Psychology Nonprofits Communication Nonprofit Organizations 106

The Agitator

FEBRUARY 3, 2013

After last week’s focus on sexy social media, it is with some trepidation that I turn this week to — dare I say it?! — mundane telephone fundraising. So yesterday. At first I wasn’t going to do this. We received an email from Rebecca Patterson at Pell & Bales, who offered a three-part series on telephone fundraising her agency had prepared for its blog.

Fundraising 103

Fundraising Fundraising Nonprofits Retention 103

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Photo credit: Jen Talks Too Much Blog. In an often-cited study by psychologist Robert Cialdini, various placard messages were tested in hotels that were seeking to be more environmental conscious by encouraging guests to reuse their towels. The messages included: Message 1 “Reuse your towel to save the environment.”. Message 2 “A majority of guests in this hotel have reused their towels.

Environmental 89

Environmental Marketing Marketing 89

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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Communication 89

Communication Nonprofits 89

Selfish Giving

FEBRUARY 26, 2013

This is a guest post by ThrdPlace interviewing Dawn Wilcox at Allison+Partners. ThrdPlace sat down with her to explore the emerging need for brands to make local impact in the communities they serve. I love the talk about local cause marketing! Dawn Wilcox is the Managing Director of Social Impact at Allison+Partners with nearly two decades of experience helping brands make our world a better place. .

Non-Profits 224

Non-Profits Marketing Marketing Community Development 224

Nonprofit Tech for Good

FEBRUARY 16, 2013

Each year I select 31 Favorite Nonprofits to which I donate 10% of my webinar income. Part of the reason is a commitment to altruism, but I also use (for lack of a better word) these 31 nonprofits to study how nonprofits are progressing in online fundraising, social media and mobile communications. That said, over the last few days I donated $25 to each of this year’s 31 Favorite Nonprofits and was dismayed to see that most of the nonprofits are not successfully integrating social media an

Fundraising 105

Fundraising Fundraising Altruism and Helping Nonprofits 105

The Agitator

FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Awhile back we reported on the now-infamous Underdeveloped: A National Study of Challenges Facing Nonprofit Fundraising. One aspect of the study that drew attention was the somewhat lukewarm assessment by nonprofit CEOs of their development directors — 33% were dissatisfied or lukewarm about the performance of their development directors … and 24% said their development directors have no experience or are novices at ”current and prospective donor research” Somewhat tongue in cheek, w

Fundraising 103

Fundraising Fundraising Culture Leadership 103

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

FEBRUARY 20, 2013

While nonprofits may be behind the curve in some matters, we’ve done a swift job of adopting social media. As I’ve noted here before based on past surveys , the vast majority of nonprofits are actively using Facebook and Twitter. Some new research featured in eMarketer bolsters that view: Interestingly, these numbers put nonprofits ahead of their for-profit counterparts in the small business world: “Ninety-six percent of nonprofits said they were on Facebook vs. 90% of small bu

Nonprofits 87

Nonprofits Activism Marketing Marketing 87

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

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Communication 89

Communication Nonprofits 89

Selfish Giving

FEBRUARY 14, 2013

On today’s show, Megan and I peek into the cause marketing closet of Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide. Joi shares how her small staff finds the time to tackle cause marketing, and how they’ve managed to recruit such high-profile partners as Dress Barn, J. C. Penney, Puffs Facial Tissues and others. Finally, Joi explains how you can spread the Valentine’s Day love for an great cause with the Puffs Kisses Facebook Campaign.

Marketing 182

Marketing Marketing Recruitment Management 182

Fundraising Coach

FEBRUARY 1, 2013

I am honored to have FundraisingCoach.com host February’s Nonprofit Blog Carnival ! Last month the Carnival looked at Your Big Dream for 2013. This month, we’re asking: how do you keep donors engaged for a second gift? According to studies in the USA, the average nonprofit loses an astounding 70% of donors each year. That means every year, 7 out of 10 donors don’t give again.

Retention 100

Retention Nonprofits Fundraising Fundraising 100

Nonprofit Tech for Good

FEBRUARY 3, 2013

Most nonprofit’s have no idea that they likely have a Facebook Community Page. Launched in 2010, the purpose of community pages are still mostly unknown although a sound hypothesis would be that their existence is now connected to the recently launched Facebook Graph Search. The hope of many admins has thus far been that community pages would just [poof!

Education 104

Education Education Nonprofits 104

The Agitator

FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Three weeks ago we announced the Agitator’s sponsorship of “The Summit”— a different and serious effort to challenge sacred cows and hopefully trigger desperately needed change in our sector. Alas! Over the weekend, the organizers announced the cancellation of The Summit. The reason: furor (‘furore’ for our UK and Commonwealth readers) over the composition of the panel — 8 men, 1 woman — plus some inappropriate remarks from Giles Pegram, the co-chair of the event.

Fundraising 102

Fundraising Fundraising Nonprofit Management Management 102

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

In honor of Generosity Day , I want to answer a reader question about gratitude. Kevin asks how to better thank donors. Kevin, Here is my template for a good thank-you letter. Dear __ (use donor’s name, spelled correctly). First: Don’t start with the typical “thank you for your donation!”? Start with a vivid image or mini story of what the donor made possible, like the example in this post!

Communication 86

Communication 86

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

FEBRUARY 11, 2013

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Management 88

Management Communication Nonprofits 88

Selfish Giving

FEBRUARY 28, 2013

The folks at USA Networks aren’t afraid to take a stand, especially when an army of nonprofits have their back. Right makes might. In today’s episode of CauseTalk Radio , Megan and I dive into the Network’s Character Unite initiative with Toby Graff , Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. Toby explains the ins and outs of the initiative from cause placement to RV tours and back again, all in the name of civil rights.

Activism 180

Activism Nonprofits Marketing Marketing 180

Fundraising Coach

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

I recently received this question from a reader in South Africa: Just a quick question… Do you have any resources or help that can ensure that we get more people to read our mails? We have an extremely low rate of about 11% at the moment. My answer: Getting more people to open your email. The best way to get effective with email is to: test, test, test.

Fundraising 95

Fundraising Fundraising Marketing Marketing 95

Nonprofit Tech for Good

FEBRUARY 17, 2013

YouTube has begun rolling out a new YouTube Channel design entitled One Channel to a very small small group of YouTube users. A sitewide roll out is expected in early March. The new design offers much less customization, but enables more efficient browsing of your videos and the channels that you are subscribed to, and is more tailored for smartphone and tablet video watching.

Food 99

Food Nonprofits Activism 99

The Agitator

FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Almost every direct response fundraiser who can count eventually comes to the realization that reliance on premiums to boost short-term acquisition response rates is a long-term prescription for poor retention and lousy lifetime value. Many are unaware of the ample evidence in behavioral science for why premiums not only delude fundraisers but, far more importantly, destroy donor motivation and loyalty.

Retention 100

Retention Donor Motivation Values Philanthropy 100

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

This is a fun Friday flowchart to determine your social networking personality via Mashable. It’s extreme. But that’s what I like about it. It forces us to own up to our own foibles. Or at least call out the typical ones, like humble-bragging. What are you? I like to think I am Mr. Nice Guy according to my self-assessment, but perhaps I am deluded.

85

85

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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Marketing 87

Marketing Marketing Communication Nonprofits 87

Selfish Giving

FEBRUARY 21, 2013

Ever since reading Bill Shore’s book Revolution of the Heart back in 1996, I’ve been a big fan of Share Our Strength , the Washington D.C. based anti-hunger organization. That’s why it was such a great pleasure for Megan and I to speak to Chuck Scofield , Chief Development Officer of Share Our Strength , on today’s episode of CauseTalk Radio.

Marketing 180

Marketing Marketing Food Nonprofits 180

Fundraising Coach

FEBRUARY 26, 2013

About a week ago, I was able to do a Twitter chat on “loving your donors” and showing them appreciation. You can read a transcript here: [link]. Do you have to answer donors’ questions? One of the interesting turns in the Twitter chat was around specific ways to best show appreciation for donors. I unexpectedly found my hackles raised when someone tweeted “answer their questions.”.

Retention 94

Retention Fundraising Fundraising Nonprofits 94

Nonprofit Tech for Good

FEBRUARY 5, 2013

Launching online communications and fundraising campaigns around annual social good and cause campaign events is good strategy. Many nonprofits however, are not made aware of such campaigns until the day of (via social media) which is too late. You need at least a month to prepare your campaign materials and craft your messaging in order to build a sense of anticipation among your fans and followers.

Children 96

Children Universities Health Management 96

The Agitator

FEBRUARY 11, 2013

When Chuck Longfield is worried, it’s time for fundraisers to wake up, pay attention, and begin making some serious changes. Chuck is the Founder of Target Analytics and Chief Scientist at Blackbaud. For purposes of this post, he’s a first-rate innovator who is more intimately familiar with direct response fundraising trends than anyone I know. So, when Chuck sounds the alert it’s time to take note.

Retention 99

Retention Values Fundraising Fundraising 99

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

FEBRUARY 27, 2013

A reader of this blog, Joe, asked me the following question in response to my post on diagnosing message problems. He says: Can you point us toward some resources for understanding our audiences’ mindsets? Good questions to ask, good ways to ask questions, etc. For organizations without the resources to hire an expert researcher, where can we start learning how to do it right?

Homelessness 83

Homelessness Health Production Children 83

Getting Attention

FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Part 1: This is Getting in Your Way, Stories Will Help. Part 2: Six Story Types to Tell. Part 3: How to Tell Your Founding Story. Today I’m going to show you how to shape and share another of the six types of stories your organization has to tell —your focus story. This is so vital in connecting your work and impact with what matters to your prospects and supporters, so make sure to do it right.

Participation and motivation 82

Participation and motivation Nonprofits Foundations Marketing 82

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

FEBRUARY 5, 2013

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Marketing 80

Marketing Marketing Nonprofits Communication 80

Fundraising Coach

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

Whether for you or that special Valentine in your life, get them a free bow tie card this Valentine’s Day! (c) The Fundraising Coach, LLC. Get 100 donors in the next 12 weeks? Learn how: 100 Donors in 90 Days ! Other Possibly Related posts: Free seminar and win a free coaching session! Get a free month of 501 Mission Place! Why it’s time for YOU to say good-bye to free WiFi.

Fundraising 92

Fundraising Fundraising 92

Nonprofit Tech for Good

FEBRUARY 24, 2013

Last year when Myspace announced that it would be launching a redesign, I was very intrigued. Even more so when they released a video last September teasing what the new Myspace would look like. The design was good – very good, in fact. For months I was anxious, excited even, for the new Myspace to launch. For those who don’t know the history, the @ NonprofitOrgs brand launched on Myspace in February 2005.

Activism 81

Activism Children Ethics Nonprofits 81

The Agitator

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

Advice doesn’t get any more straightforward than these ten suggestions and examples for enhancing donor loyalty from Bridget Brandt at Sage North America, writing in Fundraising Success. Listen to your donors. Share your good news. Measure (and report) your success. Survey your donors. Leverage donor loyalty. Involve donors in the cause. Get social.

Fundraising 97

Fundraising Fundraising Retention 97

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

FEBRUARY 4, 2013

Cause marketing grew again in 2012. Why are more and more companies embracing good causes? Because it works to drive sales - and do good in the process. According to Edelman and emarketer, customers are consistently more inclined to buy products from companies aligned with causes. That said, there is still plenty of research showing consumers are increasingly shrewd about discerning just how caring a company truly is.

Marketing 83

Marketing Marketing Production Nonprofits 83

Getting Attention

FEBRUARY 4, 2013

Hat tip to Oreo for its relevant marketing during last night’s 30-minute Super Bowl blackout. Relevance rules! But where were nonprofits? Radio silence on the social channels, ideal for right-things, right-now marketing. Take a look at the possibilities: The Oreo marketing team posted this photo ad on their Facebook page within a few minutes of the blackout.

Marketing 81

Marketing Marketing Nonprofits Communication 81

Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

FEBRUARY 4, 2013

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Communication 79

Communication Nonprofits 79

Fundraising Coach

FEBRUARY 12, 2013

I love helping nonprofits communicate their story more clearly. Last week, the tweets from the “ Great Super Bowl Blackout ” provided a great object lesson in how to harness social media platforms like Twitter for getting attention. Even for getting free media coverage. In my post , I share the links to the corporate tweets. They are fun and witty. In the comments there is a link to a couple of examples of nonprofit tweets.

Communication 79

Communication Fundraising Fundraising Nonprofits 79