AARP

Grizzard Communications Group recently held a conference, Winning Strategies in Challenging Times, focusing on effective and efficient ways of communicating to donors during difficult economic times. The conference was held February 24th – 26th and featured a live panel discussion presented in the online virtual world of Second Life.  Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary of The Salvation Army, along with other IT communications associates from Alexandria, VA and Reston, PA participated in a panel discussion as animated “Avatars.”

For the past few years, Carl Anglesea gave about $400 each year to charity. But he lost his job as a software developer in August, and since then Anglesea, 54, of Chuluota, Fla., hasn't given a dime. What he has done, though, is triple his hours as a volunteer AARP tax counselor helping people fill out tax forms. "I'd like to give cash, but I can't," he says. "So I'm committing to more hours as a substitute."

The nation's largest membership organization, AARP, will appoint A. Barry Rand, known for being a catalyst for social change and inclusion in the workplace, to become CEO in early April succeeding Bill Novelli, who has held the position for eight years. Rand will be the first African-American to lead the organization.

Grizzard Communications Group today announced it will serve as Union Rescue Mission of Los Angeles’ (URM) full-service agency. As the agency of record, Grizzard will be leading the organization’s direct marketing efforts and will work with the URM to perform a comprehensive donor data analysis and develop a more integrated approach to their current fundraising program.

What a grand time. FundRaising Success ventured into the tricky awards arena for the first time this year. And even though it was all new to us, it was a terrific experience from start to finish. We had a better-than-expected showing — 33 packages in all, submitted by 10 agencies and two organizations — a small but enthusiastic group of judges and a lot of fun.

This might turn out to be a rant. But you see, I’m getting a lot of fundraising appeals I can’t read because the type is too small, the paragraphs are too long, and the copy is too intensive and technical.

I’m eligible to critique this mail, not because I’ve been in the business for 42 years but because I’m now the target audience.

They grew up in postwar suburbia, sheltered snugly in the first paradigmatic, single-family homes. They were raised to fear the Reds and adore Ed Sullivan. They were the first children to get hooked on television.

Now, with the first wave of baby boomers nearing retirement age, and many starting to receive inheritances from their parents, America’s largest and most compelling generation presents an unprecedented fundraising opportunity — and a challenge — to nonprofits.