Can your donors hear you? If not you might not be speaking their language. Does your audience respond best to direct mail, do they like email newsletters, do they prefer to donate on facebook, etc., etc.? Here is my TOP 10 fundraising tests for Jewish non profits to try: Test different direct mail lists that match up well with with your mission, Test different recency and dollar selects, Test different target geographic locations, Test methods of reaching people through social media tools, Test your web site design, Test your methods for accepting donations, Test a newsletter, Test different direct mail letters and envelopes, Test out a blog. Test out ways to make your donors know that they are appreciated. In short, always be testing new ways to reach out to your … Continue Reading
Mind The Gap
(eJP note: as "Tomorrow" opens later today, an extremely relevant guest post from the Jewish Donor Blog). There exists a broad generational leadership gap within many Jewish organizations, large and small. This gap, and how well we handle the transition, will have a profound effect on the future of Jewish fundraising. Here are my thoughts on the aforementioned Jewish organizational leadership gap: Many high profile Jewish institutions have simply not properly groomed the next generation of leaders on how to be viable and successful future leaders. I'm not sure if this has occurred out of a lack of available talent in the next generation, which I doubt very highly, a lack or foresight, or possibly mistrust by the current generation of leadership in turning the reigns over to the new … Continue Reading
Putting The Donor First: Blogging Edition
Has your non-profit taken the the next step and started posting to a blog? If so, do you find yourself looking for readers and subscribers? The same fundraising principle that advocates putting the donor first can also be applied to blogging. Blog about subjects that your potential readers/donors are interested in. In the words of David from JournalMarketing, "Promote yourself by shutting up" ... not literally of course, but this means less self promotion and more talk about topics your donors will find interesting. This may mean not writing about your organizations' latest project or donation drive, but it could mean writing about a current event that your donors are most likely following closely. Don't know what holds your readers attention? Now is a good time to find out! Start … Continue Reading
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