Charity has become big business, though it's hard to say how big: there's little good data. One recent study estimates the British, for example, donate 54p in every £100. That's three times more than the Germans but three times less than Americans give. This article from the BBC dives into the history of fundraising methods … Continue reading How much do we really know about why we give to charity?
The science of influencing people: six ways to win an argument
Psychological studies show that people fail to notice the logical fallacies in an argument if the conclusion supports their viewpoint; if they are shown contrary evidence, however, they will be far more critical of the tiniest hole in the argument. This phenomenon is known as “motivated reasoning”. A high standard of education doesn’t necessarily protect … Continue reading The science of influencing people: six ways to win an argument
How to Disagree with Someone More Powerful than You
Your boss proposes a new initiative you think won’t work. Your senior colleague outlines a project timeline you think is unrealistic. What do you say when you disagree with someone who has more power than you do? How do you decide whether it’s worth speaking up? And if you do, what exactly should you say? … Continue reading How to Disagree with Someone More Powerful than You
How to Boost Your Email Open Rate
If there’s one thing that we’re not short of in this digital age, it’s marketing tactics. You can reach out via PPC advertising, mobile, social media, email, and so on. There are a lot of choices, and every day, a new expert pops up with the latest fad.Trying to keep up can be exhausting, and … Continue reading How to Boost Your Email Open Rate
The role of prospect research in major donor fundraising
As part of an MA in Philanthropic Studies (undertaken at the Centre for Philanthropy at the University of Kent), Nicola Williams completed a study which aimed to identify the role that prospect research plays in major donor fundraising. The study involved a survey, undertaken in 2018, of major donor fundraisers and prospect researchers working in … Continue reading The role of prospect research in major donor fundraising
How you can judge a major donor programme by a cup of tea
Mike Bartlett, a high value fundraising consultant, gets to meet a lot of fundraisers. He states: "Over the years I've got better at assessing early on whether a major donor programme is likely to be successful. I always kept an open mind and did my upmost to help each charity develop the tools and skills … Continue reading How you can judge a major donor programme by a cup of tea
“Waiting for Bono”
In the late 80s hit "Where the streets have no name" by U2, Bono doesn't start to sing for nearly two minutes... In 2017, the typical song intro is 10 seconds. In this fun blog, Richard Sved discusses the lessons we can learn from music intros when preparing our case for support elevator pitches.https://www.3rdsectormissioncontrol.co.uk/charities-attention-span/
The lure of celebrity
Using celebrity endorsement in appeals can have a profound effect. A national treasure, someone who is trusted and loved by millions, can be responsible for attracting over half the responses to an appeal However, in tests comparing endorsements from celebrities against those of donors able to talk with authority about the work of the charity, … Continue reading The lure of celebrity
Digital Outreach Tops Traditional Methods for Reaching Donors and Prospects
Change can feel glacial, especially for those of us who work with limited nonprofit budgets. The desire to stick with “Safe” and proven tactics often stymies innovation, because losing a little is better than risking the unknown, when margins are tight. But eventually, the pressure builds, the balance shifts, and the old walls that held … Continue reading Digital Outreach Tops Traditional Methods for Reaching Donors and Prospects
Our World in Data
Poverty, disease, hunger, climate change, war, existential risks, and inequality: The world faces many great and terrifying problems. It is these large problems that our work at Our World in Data focuses on. Thanks to the work of thousands of researchers around the world who dedicate their lives to it, we often have a good … Continue reading Our World in Data
Propper Fundraising 