The Force Awakens?

I’ll be darned. Direct mail acquisition seems to be making a comeback. OK, perhaps not to the degree of a Star Wars $250MM opening weekend comeback. But as I am reviewing recent acquisition (and reactivation of deeply lapsed donors) results, I was pleasantly surprised...

A Surprising Trend in Fundraising

Any of us who have studied donor behavior can tell you that your best prospect for a sustainer or monthly pledge donor is someone who has been on your file for several years and has averaged 3 or more gifts a year. And the best recruitment should be done in January....

Fundraising & String Theory

Last month at DMA-NY, the American Cancer Society presented the adverse effects on their fundraising when they pulled out of direct mail acquisition. And though they received some undeserved criticism, I for one appreciated the fact they shared their results with all...

The First Thing about Analytics

As fundraisers, we plan to succeed. And to maximize our chances for success, our plans have to be grounded in empiricism. Far too often, we’ve seen inexperienced boards or EDs make up crazy revenue goals for their DDs. These goals seem to be based on whim and wish....