A few weeks ago, I was reading BARB’s 2018’s Viewing Report and saw a mention of Harold Pollack, a professor at the University of Chicago. Back in 2013 he shared his views on personal finance advice, saying: “[The best personal finance advice] can fit on a 3-by-5 index card, and is available for free in…
This week fundraisers in the UK have been lucky enough to get their hands on two new studies packed with some great insights about what’s happening in the market. CAF have released the latest update to their ongoing study into donor behaviour, UK Giving and the IOF have published Fundraising for Impact, a survey of…
For much of the past decade, UK fundraisers have worked in a market that has struggled to grow. Latest figures actually indicate a decline in income. Stagnation means one thing – it is impossible for all charities to raise more money. Many are actually spending more to stand still. And that should have a profound…
Today is World Book Day. Which is rather appropriate timing to ask you for some book related help. I recently met with someone who has a very large library of fundraising books that are not being used. It is packed full of volumes of great advice and interesting ideas that we’d like to get into…
There is virtually nothing new in fundraising. It’s one of the reasons I spend so much time in archives, hunting around for historical examples of how people used to raise money for charity. I learn a huge amount that I can implement – with a few twists – in today’s fundraising environment. I’ve even compiled…
One of the things that has become apparent in Bluefrog’s ongoing qualitative research is a growing sense of negativity surrounding the issue of monthly gifts – particularly those paid by direct debits. This appears to be more than a general gripe. Take a look at the annual reports of some of the (precious few) charities…
People give to make a positive difference to something that matters to them. Spend as much time, space and budget on showing what donors have achieved through their giving as you do on showing them why money is needed. Remember, your competition isn’t other charities. No donor really cares if you can dig a deeper…
In just over a week, I’ll be jumping on a plane for my first trip to Las Vegas to speak at Donor Love Southwest. I’ll be sharing some of the insights I’ve gained over the years about how mid-level donors choose charities and how they like to be treated. I’m also going to outline what…
This slide appeared in my recent presentation at the AFP international fundraising conference on Bluefrog’s research into the American mid-level donor. It’s taken on a life of its own as it’s bounced round the internet so I thought I would share it here too. It was based on a simple but obvious finding apparent in…
I’ve now completed the analysis of Bluefrog Fundraising’s qualitative research into the opinions of donors regarding the safeguarding stories that hit the headlines in February. The process of presenting the findings to clients and sector bodies has begun and we will be sharing them more widely later this summer. But today, I wanted to highlight one…