E-Philanthropy

We’re always looking for new ways to organically grow our lists, send out great content and gain the trust of our current e-mail subscribers. So here are three quick ways to keep things fresh while you’re refocusing your energies on e-mail marketing.

The last time I did a donating experiment was after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I often ran into difficulties just making a donation. One donation page did not load so I left. Another required a registration process before I could donate so I left, and one organization did not have a donation page dedicated to Japan relief specifically.

Fundraising experts continue to test donation pages and more best practices have emerged. Here are some things that have been found (through testing) to work particularly well.

Planning any special e-mail campaigns before the end of the fiscal year? This summer? If not, think about it. An e-campaign costs pennies on the dollar compared with print marketing. And the right message at the right time to the right market can empower your supporters to help you change the world. Your success will be measured not by how many you send, but by how many get opened; then how many answer your call to action. Here are 10 basic tips to assure your e-mail engages your audience.

Digital media has changed and is continuing to change the way the world works, and we charities are going to have to follow suit. It matters when you’re not digital, because your audience will expect you to be present and up to date. So here are a few do’s and don’ts I’d recommend to stay ahead of the current.

Given the emphasis placed on year-end fundraising, it’s no surprise organizations will start planning many, many months before (it’s never too early to start planning!). But given the magnitude of year-end, and necessary planning, how can organizations replicate this success throughout the year? Here are five digestible steps to optimize your organization’s online program all year long.

In the July 2007 issue, then Convio President Sheeraz Haji shared six tips for "Grooming Your E-list," to engage with donors through e-mail.

This article describes the causes of donor abandonment and how to reduce it. Included is a 20-question, self-scored survey to help nonprofits identify and locate problems in their donation processes. Based on the results, simple donation page design changes can be implemented in order to achieve the ultimate goal — increased donor acquisition and retention.

At last year's Fund Raising Day in New York hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Ann Crowley, membership and online strategy director for the Human Rights Campaign, joined three other fundraising professionals to present 28 ideas for digital fundraising success. Here are ideas 21-28.

With online giving continuing to grow at a faster pace than giving overall according to the Blackbaud Index, it’s more important than ever for nonprofits to get serious about their online communications and fundraising strategies. And with one-third of online revenue tracked to e-mail according to the 2013 eNonprofit Benchmarks Study, it’s essential for nonprofits to develop and sharpen their e-mail strategies. Whether you’re just getting started or want to build on an established program, here are 10 best practices in e-mail fundraising that can help you improve your results right away.

At last year's Fund Raising Day in New York hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Ann Crowley, membership and online strategy director for the Human Rights Campaign, joined three other fundraising professionals to present 28 ideas for digital fundraising success. Here are ideas 11-20.