Target Analytics’ Index of National Fundraising Performance for the second quarter of 2011 is out. To see the full report, visit:   http://www.blackbaud.com/targetanalytics/benchmarking/nationalindex.aspx

The New York Times ran an extensive Giving section on November 2, 2011, in which many of the articles focused on the gap between on-the-ground, local charitable giving that helps individuals — like direct aid to food banks and homeless shelters — and philanthropists who want to find and fund ways to erase poverty and homelessness on a national or worldwide basis.

There has been a lot of talk about retention recently – and how best to keep donors happy and committed. But what about making sure we do the utmost to attract the right type of donor that will WANT to stay – instead of simply hoping we can entice them with repeated offers?

 

To follow is an article I wrote for the October 2011 issue of AdVents – DMAW’s monthly member newsletter – with tangible suggestions on how to make sure you’re recruiting the the type of donor that will want to stay on your file … and really love you forever!

Avalon is growing!  Do you know someone who you think would be a good fit with us?  If so … we want to know!  We’re currently looking for candidates for Program Manager and Online Program Manager positions.

So if you, or someone you know, is interested in joining the Avalon team, please contact us!

One of the most interesting sessions I attended at the DMANF Conference last month was about coop databases … “List Coops: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.”  We have all had experience testing (and rolling out) compiled lists in our acquisition programs – and are familiar with predicting demonstrated donor behavior via modeling … but what’s the big deal about nonprofit coop databases?  And what could be so ugly about them?

Are you starting to feel like it’s December 2008 all over again?  

Clearly, the news is not good: employment growth is extremely weak, and threatens to stall out altogether.  Businesses remain reluctant to invest and hire because there is not sufficient demand for goods and services.  Many Americans are searching for work, we just endured debt-ceiling negotiations that have shaken us all, and the stock market is, to put it mildly, volatile.

Avalon is pleased to announce that Senator Frank R. Lautenberg’s campaign has selected us to provide strategic online fundraising consulting and management.

As the son of poor but hard-working immigrant parents, Senator Lautenberg’s legislative accomplishments have enabled countless Americans to also successfully pursue the American Dream.  We are proud to be affiliated with his campaign.

Held July 20-22, the Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference proved to once again be a valuable resource to direct marketing professionals.  If you weren’t able to attend, I urge you to check out the Conference website – presentations are available for download.

















Photos Courtesy of Mark Van Bergh Photography

We’re thrilled to report some exciting Avalon news: the Galapagos Conservancy has won a Gold Direct Marketing Association of Washington MAXI (Marketing Awards for Excellence and Innovation) and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has won a Silver MAXI in the “workhorse” category. Congratulations to everyone on these teams for two innovative and successful campaigns!  How did they do it?

Target Analytics has just released its 2011 donorCentrics™ Internet and Multichannel Giving Benchmark Report … and I wonder how much traction it will get in the direct marketing community.  Integrated marketing, multi-channel giving, cross-channel communication … we all talk about it and assume that if we provide donors various options they will simply give in the way in which we ask.  But is this true?  Do Internet acquired donors prefer to always give online or will they jump readily to the direct mail piece waiting in the mailbox?  And what about our trusty direct mail acquired donors – will they promptly go online to renew or respond to a special appeal when asked?  And, most importantly … are their differences in retention vis-à-vis method of acquisition?