In periods of high inflation or market uncertainty, donors of all demographics are likely to become more strategic about their giving. Help your organization navigate this economic instability with these tips. Continue reading Recession-Proof Your Fundraising with These 3 Proven Strategies
Giving USA 2022: Inside the Numbers
Let’s take a deep dive to see how and where Americans gave in 2021, according to a study from Giving USA. Plus, with the first half of 2022 behind us (and the stock market and GDP not looking as promising), get recommendations on navigating the latter half of 2022. Continue reading Giving USA 2022: Inside the Numbers
Soooooo, Should I Care About Email Open Rates Anymore?
For years, open rate was the go-to metric for email performance. It was easy to measure, easy to test and it provided a helpful starting point for gauging donor interest. So without it—or rather, with every Apple email looking “opened”—what’s a marketer to do? Continue reading Soooooo, Should I Care About Email Open Rates Anymore?
Don’t Miss These Takeaways from the AFP ICON Conference
The AFP ICON conference, put on by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, is the world’s largest conference for professional fundraisers. Some 3,000 attendees from five continents gathered. Here are five top conference takeaways. Continue reading Don’t Miss These Takeaways from the AFP ICON Conference
2022 National Holidays for Planned Giving Fundraisers to Celebrate
Free download alert! Get our 2022 calendar as a great starting point for the year’s marketing. We selected days that relate to the planned giving industry and the common donor age group. In celebrating, you’ll join others who are bringing these days into the public consciousness, like media outlets, bloggers, influencers and retailers. Continue reading 2022 National Holidays for Planned Giving Fundraisers to Celebrate
5 Fundamentals for Your Planned Giving Program in the New Year
Now’s the time to take a breath, remain focused and build the foundation for future years of growth. These five fundamentals will start your 2022 program on solid footing. Continue reading 5 Fundamentals for Your Planned Giving Program in the New Year
Repetition Is Powerful: Why Frequency Makes Your Marketing More Effective
Sadly for us, no one reads or remembers everything we send. When you start to worry that your materials are becoming repetitive, remember that repetition in marketing is a good thing. Continue reading Repetition Is Powerful: Why Frequency Makes Your Marketing More Effective
Top 5 Webinars: Commit an Hour to Get Better at Your Job
For this annual post I went back to our full selection of webinars—which we’ve archived since 2009. I picked five that you simply must see. Continue reading Top 5 Webinars: Commit an Hour to Get Better at Your Job
The Future of Fundraising: 5 Marketing Trends for the New Year
Here are five marketing trends we predict for 2022. Continue reading The Future of Fundraising: 5 Marketing Trends for the New Year
Social Proof: Why We Look to Others to Tell Us How to Behave
Social proof has become the currency of marketing and it plays a powerful role in fundraising, too. Here’s how to use social proof in your next appeal. Continue reading Social Proof: Why We Look to Others to Tell Us How to Behave
3 Charts That Confirm What You Already Know: Your Donors Are Online
In short order, digital has changed everything. Advancing technology has directly impacted the how, when and why donors give. If you want more proof than me just saying it, I’ve got three charts that reiterate the point. Continue reading 3 Charts That Confirm What You Already Know: Your Donors Are Online
What Great Gift Planning Programs Have in Common: Meet the National Standards
The goal? Develop fundamental best practices for creating sustainable, well-constructed gift planning efforts at any organization, regardless of size, scope or history. The output? Sixteen standards, a checklist of best practices, plus tools and links that put the practices into action. Continue reading What Great Gift Planning Programs Have in Common: Meet the National Standards
Dear Fundraiser: How To Write a Cover Letter I’ll Actually Read (Sincerely, A Society Member)
Legacy donors have made an expression of trust and commitment to your cause. If they were to tell you what they want from your next communication, these five things would top the list. Continue reading Dear Fundraiser: How To Write a Cover Letter I’ll Actually Read (Sincerely, A Society Member)
The Real Impact of 2020 on Fundraising: What We Lost, What We Gained
The natural experiment forced on us by COVID-19 has pushed everyone to pivot and think differently. The planned giving world was no exception. Here’s how the recent past can direct our fundraising future. Continue reading The Real Impact of 2020 on Fundraising: What We Lost, What We Gained
Say Less, Earn More: The Power of Brevity in Planned Giving Marketing
Thousands of brands compete daily for attention. As a fundraiser, your job is to inspire your donors to solve a problem—they want to do more good, their estate is disorganized, they want to avoid a tax hit—while recognizing that they have other priorities. Here’s why keeping your message concise helps you stand out. Continue reading Say Less, Earn More: The Power of Brevity in Planned Giving Marketing