American Cancer Society

Behavioral economics is a hot topic these days, and you’ve probably come across its application in a variety of everyday situations — from choice architecture prompting you to select healthier food in the canteen, to altered defaults which help you to save for your retirement, to social norms encouraging you to reduce your energy bills. In this article, we look at various research findings and insights around charitable giving, and list five different ways in which a charity might be able to increase donations.

While text-to-give was an early, high-profile mobile-marketing success story, recent developments and the availability of other potentially more effective strategies could result in a shrinking role going forward. Last fall, the major wireless carriers stopped supporting premium SMS, but not text-to-give programs for nonprofits and political campaigns. However, the upheaval and uncertainty caused by the news is just one reason nonprofits could begin looking beyond text-to-give.

Jeff Brooks, creative director at multichannel fundraising agency TrueSense Marketing, answers the questions he's most often asked about direct-mail fundraising:

Is the Internet the death knell for direct mail?

Not even close. Direct mail is a long way from death. It's still the most effective fundraising medium (after the church offering basket), and it's many times more effective than email.

FundRaising Success takes a look back at the 2010 Fundraising Professionals of the Year Awards Lifetime Achievement winner, Lynn Edmonds, president of LW Robbins.

In October, FundRaising Success held its fourth annual Virtual Conference & Expo, a daylong, online gathering that allowed fundraisers to listen to and interact with some of the industry’s most respected and innovative fundraisers. Our closing session was a panel discussion focusing on things nonprofits need to think about and do to grow and thrive in 2014 and beyond.

Russ Reid, a marketer who determined that nonprofit organizations could benefit from a modern, professional approach to raising funds, died Saturday, Dec. 7, at his home in Sierra Madre, Calif. He was 82 years old.

Donor-advised funds have attracted an ever-larger chunk of American donations since the 1990s. Though legally public charities, they are more like holding tanks that let would-be philanthropists deposit money, collect the tax benefits up front and then decide later which causes they actually want to give to. Legally, there’s no limit to how long the money can sit there.

FundRaising Success is blessed and proud to work with some of the brightest stars in the fundraising firmament. Meet our latest 2014 Editorial Advisory Board members.

The Direct Marketing Association presented its 2013 International ECHO Awards at its annual conference, including 11 to nonprofits. The nonprofit winners include, Chill Out E.V., Food for the Poor, World Vision Canada, ASPCA, American Cancer Society, FAD — Anti-Drug Foundation, Operation Smile, Fundación Once & FSC Inserta, Amnesty International, Inspiring Denmark, and The Norwegian Cancer Society.

Granted, I know that a group of eight people does not represent an entire audience segment, but this is not the first time I've interviewed a group of donors and supporters to find that opinions and expectations do not always line up with what we believe within our own walls.