Get Fresh!

Where to find them
Different organizations have different definitions of “younger.” Is it anyone under 70? Is it boomer age and younger? Is it Gen X or Gen Y? Establishing your definition is the first step.

As we look for new markets of donors, we don’t want to forget the basics. List is still the most important element of an acquisition campaign. There are several list areas and other strategies we should be exploring:

• Expand out of fundraising lists. While response rate is lower, the prospects on commercial lists tend to be a little bit younger, give larger initial gifts and have strong retention.

• Don’t forget your own backyard. Many nonprofits have internal “stakeholders” who often are overlooked — advocates, volunteers, special-event attendees, book buyers, course participants, service recipients, etc. Not only will these stakeholders give, but their initial response rate and overall retention rate often are twice that of a cold prospect. They’ve heard of you, and they probably already like you.

• Response models can help. Response models can be very effective in identifying which stakeholders are more likely to convert to donors by identifying those who already are giving to other organizations.

• Special events attract a different type of donor. Hosting a special event is a great way to get people involved with your organization. Depending on the event, fundraising or friend-raising may be an important compon-ent. Younger donors like to get involved in an organization and want to spend time with their families. By involving them in an event where families can participate, you’re meeting their needs and helping to educate the next generation about philanthropy — which is very important for our organizations’ collective futures.

• Emergencies have their place. We all saw the outpouring of generosity after the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in terms of financial contributions, goods collections and increased volunteer efforts. This kind of involvement is a result of news reports and the accessibility of information — and it engages people in philanthropy in many different ways.

• We can’t ignore the Web. Internet donors don’t behave the way traditional direct-response donors behave; they search for information before giving, and they tend to make fewer but larger gifts. They’re younger, they’re busy, and they’ll decide how and when they want to be engaged. Having a Web presence and drive-to-Web strategies will become increasingly important.

Regardless of the media, the organization’s message and relevance are important. Younger donors are interested in making a difference and in supporting an organization that makes a difference. They want substantive information — either online or in printed materials. They want to get involved — on their terms. They’re busy, and they safeguard the time they spend with their families and friends.