------
> NEWest in 2018
The 100% Fallacy: How Presumptions MURDER Your Fundraising
I call this "my darkest show." In fact, it's a ridiculously valuable fundraiser's "reality check," intended to shine a spotlight on counter-lucrative opinions, often held by boards or bosses.
In this show, we look at actual (vs. fantastical) response rates. Exactly how many folks will respond to a first-time direct mail appeal? Then, how many of these first-time donors will make a second gift? And why do so many new donors leave so quickly? And what is the one metric I have to track, to measure accurately our organization's fundraising success and improvements? (Hint: lifetime value; LTV.)
In this show, you'll stare in the face:
- ... the general effectiveness of the Shiny New Things like online giving, crowd funding, peer-to-peer sponsorships, Facebook fundraising (some of these work great!).
- ... today's trends and where they mislead.
- ... new, highest-level research and what it promises for ambitious fundraisers.
- ... how individual donors differ dramatically (surprise: it has nothing much to do with the donor's wealth).
- ... how many years average donors actually stick with a charity. (Vomit bags will be provided.)
- ... how gifts in Wills will save your charity from closing 10 years from now.
- ... why we hunt younger donors ... with poisoned arrows.
------
> NEW in 2018
Everyone's a Critic
You decide: what's good, what stinks, what would you do instead?
Enter the critiquing zone. In this frantic but fruitful workshop, you'll pass judgment on all sorts of nonprofit communications, digital and print. Your hurry-it-along host: Tom Ahern, "one of America's top creators of fundraising messages."
What do you think? How did this email appeal from Charity: Water escape being labeled "poverty porn" ... yet still convey strong impact? Why did this particular cover of a land conservancy newsletter inspire hikers ... yet disappoint donors? Why did a communications strategy beloved by staff lead to a 40% drop in annual giving at a major animal rescue charity? Which fundraising elements of a new charity home page worked just as well in 1950?
And that's just part one. In part two, you get to practice the principles yourself. You'll suffer (productively) through such quick little exercises as: "Tell your mission's story in a single adjective or verb."
Please note: Because of its intensely interactive nature, this workshop works best with smaller groups. Groups of 100 or more will need a second person with a roaming microphone to facilitate dialogue.
------