10 Ideas in 30 Minutes

Presented by: Debbie Merlino

October 21, 2015

What You’ll Walk Away With

10 Fundraising tactics you can implement in your program right away

Generate more Annual Fund gifts Actionable & practical ideas

Direct Mail Telemarketing Mobile Email

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Use a Matching Gift Challenge

to Boost Response

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Make it Easy to Donate Online

Big, bold “Donate Now” button on home page

The fewer “clicks” the better

What information do you need to process the gift vs. what would be nice to know

5

Don’t Use Volunteers for Fundraising Calls

But do use volunteers for Thank You calls

6

Add a Follow Up

Generally, follow up mailings yield an additional 40% - 65% in gross revenue

7

Try Mobile Pledging

at your next event

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Mobile Pledging

o Attendees receive chance to easily text donation of any size

o Host shows a thermometer and makes a call to action

o Donations and names appears on the screen

o Reminder text messages are sent for unfulfilled pledges

Increase event revenues with the convenience of mobile donations and real time results displayed on-screen

Send an E-Renewal the day the donor’s membership expires

Especially for Membership organizations…

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New Donor Acquisition must be an ongoing

commitment

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Every E-Appeal is an opportunity to test

Test subject lines

14

Get specific with the Ask Amount

In Direct Mail In E-Appeals In Telemarketing

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A simple letter format will almost always generate the most revenue

More than self-mailers More than drive to web

postcards More than a big, bold,

beautiful piece

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A little bit about me…

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Debbie Merlino is President of DMW Fundraising, a direct response agency that assists non-profit organizations in realizing the full potential of their fundraising and membership programs.

With more than 25 years experience in direct mail and database marketing, she emphasizes the importance of both strategic planning as well as end-to-end program execution.

She has a wealth of knowledge gained from successfully managing membership and donor programs for a diverse client base of public media, healthcare, advocacy, and environmental organizations.