Why does it always have to be un-earmarked?
Which of the following statements are true? The earth is flat. Global warming isn't happening. Lemmings commit mass suicide. Wearing a warm coat will stop you catching flu. Warts are caused by handling toads. Appeals have to be for unrestricted funds. Yep. You got it....
Do your supporters look like nails, carrots or beetroots?
Recency, Frequency and Value are the mainstays of a successful segmentation strategy. You can use values, geo-demographics, regression and even snake oil to try and improve your targeting of appeals, but at the end of the day, the long-term use of RFV can make the...
Anna Walsh and The Bergstrom Effect
Bluefrog's Head of Social Fundraising, Anna Walsh, has recently started her own blog – Social Frog – with a specific focus on street and door to door fundraising. Her first post highlights a phenomena which she has named the Bergstrom Effect. As Anna explains, It's...
When should you try and reactivate lapsed donors?
There's the old story of the man driving around lost in the countryside. He eventually sees someone up ahead and pulls over and asks for directions to his destination. The local looks at him, scratches his head and says, "Well, if I were you, I...
Online giving increases by 43% though average gift size falls
A new report on online activism and fundraising has just been published by M+R Strategic Services and the Nonprofit Technology Network. Using data from 32 US charities for 2007 and 2008 (including Care International, Oxfam America, The Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity and IFAW) and...
An eight point plan for when good intentions go wrong
Some interesting data regarding the impact of Action for Children's recent TV campaign has recently been published. It shows the campaign did very well, gaining 9% awareness along with a 20% increase in people saying they would be likely to consider donating to the charity. It's...
My seven stages of Twitter
You must have heard about Twitter. If you are already a user, you'll probably be able to relate to much of my experience. If you haven't yet joined, hopefully this will help you find out what lies in store for you. First a few notes...
Impact of recession on Oxfam's charity shops
Oxfam have released a fascinating report on the impact of the recession on their charity shops. Having the largest number of stores (714) of any charity in the UK, it presents a pretty comprehensive picture of what is happening nationwide. The highlights are: Donations of...
Results of Barnardo's TV campaign
Following on from my piece on Barnardo's creative work in the 1930's, I'd thought it might be interesting to get a little more contemporary. I've blogged before about Barnardo's recent TV ad (produced by BBH). I think it's a great piece of work and if...
Another lesson from history
I've just come across another ad that shows us how to do it. Produced by Dr. Barnardo's Homes (or simply Barnardo's as they are now) in 1931, it has a huge amount that today's fundraisers could learn from. It shows a single child who was...
The Essentials
Crack the Code to Regular Giving: Insights, Strategies, and a Special Giveaway!
‘Tis Halloween. Keep to the light and beware the Four Fundraisers of the Apocalypse!
Why do people give? The Donor Participation Project with Louis Diez.
A guide to fundraising on the back of a postcard
What does the latest research tell us about the state of fundraising?