Direct Marketing Association

Reviewing the winners across all channels for the 2014 DMAW MAXI Awards, the shared themes were engagement, extraordinary storytelling and relationship building. The stats and snapshot images of the winning Direct Mail, Digital Media, Multichannel and Telemarketing campaigns provided high-level intel of the strategies and tactics.

The request for proposal can sometimes be the official “first date” for most agency/nonprofit organization relationships. It sets the tone for the partnership and provides a road map for future success.

Summer is finally here, and all I can think about is November and December. Winter is, coincidentally, the hottest time of year for those of us in direct marketing.

The DMA Nonprofit Federation’s Nonprofit Digital Day opened with Mikaela King from Defenders of Wildlife, Sean Powell of The Engage Group, Heather Marsh of ABD Direct and Peter Kaizer of Aquilent (former digital director of Catholic Relief Services). The panel, titled “Digital Fundraising 101,” discussed the basics of online acquisitions, email campaigns, Web marketing and social media.

Although much of the panel’s morning session focused on how to use content messaging and search engine marketing to acquire new constituents, one of the biggest takeaways was the importance of making nonprofit websites as user-friendly as possible.

Not only do speakers at Engage reside over our in-depth cases studies and delve deep into attendees' concerns and questions, but they're available all day long to chat and further explore whatever it is the audience is looking to explore.

I recently viewed the DVD of a panel discussion, "Charity Watchdogs, Donor Perceptions and the Overhead Myth," a program held Jan. 30 by the Direct Marketing Association of Washington (D.C.). Since I haven't read much about the content of this discussion, I want to share with you comments from the panelists that I found interesting, insightful and, yes, at times, challenging. Don't expect to agree with them all, but "listen" and then decide what else you can do today to give your donors confidence that you are worthy of their support.

There’s a reason we named our conference Engage. It’s because, of course, engagement rests at the very core of fundraising: engagement with donors, engagement among peers and even heartfelt engagement at the deepest level with your chosen profession. Without it, it’s all just talk. And the world has enough talk. The world needs action, which comes from engagement. And that is where you shine. So shine on, and stay engaged.

People on the move in the fundraising sector, March 2014.

The DMA Nonprofit Federation's 2011 Washington Nonprofit Conference wrapped up day one with Jennifer Bielat, vice president of direct marketing at Easter Seals, joining four other fundraising professionals to present "30 Ideas for Fundraising Success in 2011 and Beyond." Here are the final 10 ideas:

The DMA Nonprofit Federation's 2011 Washington Nonprofit Conference wrapped up day one with Jennifer Bielat, vice president of direct marketing at Easter Seals, joining four other fundraising professionals to present "30 Ideas for Fundraising Success in 2011 and Beyond." Here are ideas 11-20 (view the first 10 here):