Tag Archives: donor psychology

Is this fundraising that works?

The overline at the top of the fundraising letter reads, “You can join your neighbors to help families facing hunger.” So far, so good. Everybody’s against hunger. Then, this: “Every $1 can help feed a family of 3!” One thing’s … Continue reading

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These 3 things are probably killing your fundraising

There are three big misconceptions that nonprofits tend to have about direct response fundraising. They’ll definitely bring down your results. Misconception 1: “Too much mail will turn donors off.” The fact is that donors like to give and want to … Continue reading

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Reaching mid-level donors with direct mail

You probably hear a lot about mid-level donors, and that’s for good reason. For most nonprofits, these donors represent a major opportunity for short-term and long-term growth. It’s a revenue source that’s largely untapped. The potential is there, waiting to … Continue reading

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Should you do a year-end fundraising appeal?

Yes, and here’s why. It’s one of the easiest appeals to create. And it can be one of the biggest revenue producers of the year. About 30 percent of most nonprofits’ revenue comes in between Giving Tuesday and December 31. … Continue reading

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The offer in fundraising

In direct response fundraising, what’s an offer? Is it like the offer in commercial direct marketing, or is it completely different? Why does the offer matter? Is it really the most important thing in a letter appeal or email appeal, … Continue reading

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When fundraising is too cautious for its own good

You can just see the fundraising team around a conference table trying to create an appeal that doesn’t draw any complaints, doesn’t raise even one hackle, doesn’t offend in any way, real or imagined. And the result is this: For … Continue reading

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One sure way to make your fundraising better

The single best thing you can do to improve your fundraising? Come to terms with a hard truth: You are not your donors. They’re probably older than you, for one thing, which means they have a completely different frame of … Continue reading

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Want more of your regular donors to become monthly donors?

Nonprofits love monthly donors for obvious reasons. Monthly donors give consistently, require less frequent fundraising, and tend to be more loyal. But to get regular donors to opt into monthly donor status, you have to make this seem like something … Continue reading

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Why this trait is essential for your fundraising

Curiosity. It’s a trait that virtually all people share, and it’s one that we definitely want to tap into for fundraising. Arousing curiosity is a tried and true way to get donors to notice your direct mail or email appeal, … Continue reading

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When disaster fundraising works and when it doesn’t

If you haven’t already, you’ll probably soon receive a barrage of emails appealing to you for donations to help the victims of the horrible earthquake in Turkey and Syria. This is of course a worthy cause. The need is overwhelming. … Continue reading

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