Donor Segments

Ah, Twitter. Modern nonprofits can find immense benefits from this social-media giant simply by creating a handle and describing their missions in 140 characters or fewer. But there are some tricks to maximizing your Twitter return on investment, highlighted in MobileCause's infographic “Getting a Handle on Twitter for Nonprofits”...

The word “middle” doesn’t always have the best connotation. From having “middle child syndrome” to being “middle of the road,” this word’s often associated with those things that are unfavorable or just plain innocuous. Another "middle" to add to this list is “middle donors.” These are the people who give your organization more than a…

OK, I’m going to tell you something that will blow your mind: You already have major-gift donors who have given you gifts but are not part of your major-gift program. In every donor file we have reviewed, we found major donors who are not part of the organization’s major-donor caseloads. So, where are these donors?...

As you’re wrapping up the year, consider starting the new year fresh with a bigger focus on monthly giving. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Is this you? Through Giving Tuesday, perhaps a few targeted crowdfunding appeals, your Facebook "donate" button and, of course, your holiday appeal, you've just brought on a…

It’s one of the biggest conundrums in nonprofit fundraising: How do you turn social media supporters into long-term donors to your organization? Many nonprofits assume that the best way to do this is to send out fundraising links on social media. So they post some updates, send out donation links, beg their supporters to donate…

It’s an overcast Sunday morning and most of Seattle is glued to the Seahawks game, but John Salvatier and Elizabeth Van Nostrand are waiting for members of the group they help run, Seattle Effective Altruists, to arrive at Salvatier’s house in the Central District. Van Nostrand explained that effective altruism “is extremely quantitative. ‘How much money…

Self-made billionaires in the U.S. are giving the most to charity, donating on average $179.5 million per person over their lifetimes, according to a new study. In contrast, the typical ultra high net worth philanthropist worldwide gives $28.7 million over his or her lifetime. While ultra-rich men tend to give far more than their female…

A recent survey shows retention has increased over the past few years. But many fundraising professionals view the report differently. They use it to reinforce their opinions that the industry has a retention problem. Yes, it continues to be a huge issue, but I’m not convinced the problem is any more significant than it always has been...

Keith is a fundraiser for a nonprofit that focuses on rescuing at-risk youth. As an organization founded and led by Millennials, this organization is the future in many ways. Keith’s frustration wasn’t slow revenue growth. He’s tuned into the healthy revenue gains he’s achieving. What’s generating his frustration is the “uneven” response he’s getting from his donors...

You know that you should have a solid communications calendar in place, one that combines touches with direct asks throughout the year. But if your organization relies on its year-end direct-mail appeals to raise the majority of its funding, here are seven tips to get you headed in the right direction...