The misdirected power of the brand
Some people think I don’t like branding. They are wrong. I love great brands. The trouble is that I don’t think many charity brands are very well managed and there are a growing number of pieces of research that serve to confirm my beliefs. I…
Benchmarking the success of your email campaigns
If you are looking to compare the performance of your email campaigns in terms of open, click through and delivery rates, Marketing Online has a regularly updated set of benchmarking studies. As well as global and US surveys, it also includes reports on UK campaigns…
What’s the impact of a matched giving offer on a direct mail appeal?
At Bluefrog we run a number of very successful matched giving appeals for a variety of clients. An organisation with a great deal of cash (usually a corporate partner or statutory donor) offers to fund a project but only on the proviso that you raise…
Research results: What type of images generate most money?
One of the most contentious parts of putting together an appeal is choosing which photographs will be featured. I’ve seen images rejected for a wide range of reasons – too sad, too happy, too paternalistic and even too stimulating. Considering the impact that a photograph can have…
The problem of face to face attrition
A few weeks ago I was preparing to give a presentation at the PFRA AGM. With a few days notice, I was told I wouldn’t be needed. I’m not actually sure why it was decided I wouldn’t be required. I’ve heard that it was in…
Giving by Christians staying strong in the economic down-turn
A recent poll undertaken by ComRes and published by Premier Christian Radio shows that the vast majority of Christians are still giving to charity despite the impact of the recession. Bluefrog had looked at the attitudes of the wider public to giving to new charities…
It’s the early bird that gets the worm!
Rapidata have released their mid-year update of their direct debit tracking report. In short, direct debit cancellations are falling – even though the latest figures are still almost 80% higher than we experienced back in June 2007 (before Northern Rock showed us what was in…
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…
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…
The recession is hitting home for some donors – but not all of them
Back in November, a number of the key indicators were showing that the main impact of the economic downturn would be on donor recruitment. As a result, Bluefrog commissioned a survey that specifically asked people about their attitudes to giving to charities that they didn't…