Direct Mail

Fundraising 101: Direct-Mail Basics
March 26, 2010

Fundraising 101: Direct-Mail Basics, pulls together some of the best tips and strategies the pros have to offer in regard to that fundraising workhorse - direct mail.
Among the information you'll learn from it:

  • Typical rookie copywriting mistakes - and how to avoid them
  • Things you must know about direct-mail fundraising in a tough economy
  • Things you absolutely must know about paper this year

Lifetime Achievement
February 1, 2010

Lynn Edmonds
President
L.W. Robbins

When FS' parent company, North American Publishing Co., set out to launch this magazine in summer 2003, the launch team wanted to establish an editorial advisory board that would ensure it started out on the right foot and stayed that way. The board had to include people from all areas of fundraising who were entrenched enough to have a solid grasp of its history but still open enough to be able to see into its future and head there without fear.

To the Point: Get Ready to Rummage
January 1, 2010

We're calling a new rector for my church. This entails creating a detailed profile of our institution, assessing our ministries, analyzing our finances, and praying and reflecting on our next "calling." It also entails letting some ministries go.

Merkles Response Management Group Selected by Alley Cat Allies
November 5, 2009

Columbia, Md., November 5, 2009 — Merkle (www.merkleinc.com), one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing customer relationship marketing agencies, today announced that its Response Management Group has been selected by Alley Cat Allies to provide contribution processing services in support of the organization’s direct mail fundraising program. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Alley Cat Allies is a national advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of cats through education, outreach and support for Trap-Neuter-Return programs. The work was successfully transitioned from the previous service company in August and the contract is ongoing.

Royal Mail Strike: Charity Donations and Campaigns Affected
October 12, 2009

October 9, 2009 - A number of key organisations are concerned that if the strikes continue between now and Christmas, seen as a key time for fund-raising, then appeals and donations will be severely hampered. They argue that the situation is exacerbated by the current economic downturn.

Heritage Foundation Appeal Takes Risks
October 1, 2009

Everything about the Heritage Foundation's invitation to join its monthly giving program screams, "Look at me! Open me! I'm irresistible!"

Amergent Wins Gold for Creative Excellence
September 30, 2009

Peabody, MA, September 30, 2009 — Amergent, a full-service agency in direct response fundraising services and database management solutions, is pleased to announce that the firm’s work received two gold awards in the fourth annual National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC) Lumen Awards.

Making a New Appeal Using Vintage Images
September 21, 2009

September 18, 2009, The New York Times — WITH the economic downturn kindling a longing for less volatile eras, many companies have turned to nostalgia marketing. Examples are Volkswagen, featuring a 1964 Beetle in advertisements, General Mills, selling Cheerios and other cereals in retro boxes, and Nationwide Insurance, resurrecting its “Nationwide is on your side” catchphrase.

Meet the Winners of the DMFA's 2009 Package of the Year
September 15, 2009

Learn how Covenant House captured the Package of the Year and the top award for a mid-level renewal package. Also, learn the specifics about the City Harvest package that won the award for the best renewal campaign and how Helen Keller International captured the most votes for the best acquisition package. In addition to highlighting the key success factors for these great direct mail packages, we will also walk through the strategy behind our e-mail campaign award winner, PetSmart Charities.