Politics Won’t Affect Your DM Bottom Line

In a recent post on her Sue’s Muse blog, consultant Sue Wodward tells us, “In a recent research report completed by Merkle, a national database marketing agency … the 2008 election cycle should not have a big impact on organizations achieving their year-end fundraising goals.”

The post continues:

“The study cites that political campaign donors are typically younger, whereas a third of nonprofit contributors are 76 years of age or older. 75% of people who contribute to political campaigns are male vs. 42% who donate to nonprofits. Additionally, 50% of those who contribute to presidential campaigns have an income above $100,000 vs. nonprofit donors, whose annual incomes average between $25,000-$75,000.”

Finally, Sue says, “I find the report fascinating and can’t argue with the numbers … but still caution nonprofits to not be complacent regarding fundraising, whether through the mail, phone, online or face to face … not simply due to the election and all its distractions … but more due to the economy. There is still pain at the pump, increased inflation vs. annual income and the lack of the ‘feel good’ factor.”

Her suggestion? Excel at “the basics.”

1. Review your plan
2. Don’t cut back on acquisition
3. Dig deeper into your file
4. Make it easy to donate
5. Ask for your donors’ help

“For now I simply encourage you to pull out all the stops — so you reach this year’s bottom line!”