If you think stewarding donors is expensive, try ignoring their needs instead
Rapidata has released their August direct debit cancelation figures and they don't look particularly good. At 4.58% they are the highest seen for August since the monitoring of regular giving trends started back in 2003. In a worrying commentary, Rapidata's Managing Director, Scott Gray, says…
Direct debit cancellation rates on the rise
Following my post on the general downturn in DM response rates experienced at the time of the Royal Wedding in April, we have more evidence that this might be the start of a more pronounced trend. Rapidata has released details of direct debit cancellations for…
Using mobile to make press ads speak
Interesting use of mobile / QR codes to turn a press ad into a multi-media experience. The original inspiration looks like it came from this idea used to spice up a CV.
Does religion make people nicer?
Take any mainstream charity and you'll find that a significant number of people on the supporter base regularly attend a place of worship. But does that mean religious people are nicer than everyone else? After reading Deepak Malhorta's study on religious salience, it seems the…
It’s a shame about Ray
Data Mining for Fund Raisers by Peter B. Wylie is one of the best introductory guides to the effective use of data that you'll get your hands on. It's pretty hard to track down in the UK, but you can get it from CASE in…
Face to face attrition – a few thoughts
We have another chance to quantify the effects of the recession with the publication of the PFRA Face to Face Attrition Survey. The study shows us what happened to those donors recruited on the street and door to door during 2009. The figures look good….
An award tells you more about the judges than the contestants
D&AD have just had their annual awards bash where they hand out their coveted yellow pencils in recognition of outstanding creative work. It's not just the big agencies who get their chance to shine, students have their opportunity too. And this year, one of the…
Donors don’t like giving when it doesn’t feel good
Face to face donor recruitment is back in the spotlight following the publication of a survey that reported 44% of respondents thought chugging was the most aggressive form of fundraising. The PFRA was quick to respond, questioning the validity of the sample, the questions and…
So what do people really dislike about direct mail appeals?
The FRSB has just released their Annual Report for 2010. Based on the detailed analysis of complaints received by 1,138 UK charities, I'd say it paints a pretty decent picture of our noble profession. Even when you look at the more 'engaging' fundraising techniques –…
So what’s going on in the digital fundraising world?
The 2011 eNonprofit Benchmarks Study has been published by M+R Strategic Services and the Nonprofit Technology Network. It's based on analysing the online giving and advocacy activity of donors to 40 charities and nonprofits. It is obviously a US study, but the figures are useful…
The Essentials
‘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?
How do donors manage their philanthropic budgets?