Learn more about analytics and research best practices, as well as real world examples and solutions for nonprofits.

The Force Awakens?

theater image 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 to see that new donor (and reactivated donor) counts aren’t falling.

Even better news is that retention of Second Year donors are improving for the first time since Mark Hamill’s last film any of us can recall seeing (which any fan would know is the 1978 film Corvette Summer).

The question is whether this comeback will last, or is it a momentary pause in direct mail’s inevitable demise?

Top 5 Mistakes: #3 Chasing Younger Donors

by Bill Jacobs | Apr 25, 2024

If I had to guess, the median age of the donors on your database is between 65 and 70-years old, and the median age of a new donor is probably between 60-65 years old. When organizations hear this, they worry that their donor database is going to “eternally lapse”...

Top 5 Mistakes: #4 Legacy “No-Mail” Flags

by Bill Jacobs | Apr 22, 2024

I have been analyzing the fundraising business for nearly three decades and over the years I keep seeing nonprofit organizations making the same mistakes. These errors hold organizations back. If you are new to fundraising, please commit yourself to avoiding these...

Top 5 Mistakes: #5 CRM Expectations

by Bill Jacobs | Apr 18, 2024

I have been analyzing the fundraising business for nearly three decades and over the years I keep seeing nonprofit organizations making the same mistakes. These errors hold organizations back. If you are new to fundraising, please commit yourself to avoiding these...