Strategies to help you

win new donors, lift the performance of current donors and keep active donors longer

The Bi-Polar Future of Fundraising

by Bill Jacobs | Mar 11, 2019

Different types of donors require different types of fundraising approaches

A Walk Into the Sunset or a Walk Off a Cliff

by Bill Jacobs | Mar 4, 2019

Fundraisers and analysts alike are racking our brains to figure out why online giving is not more common in the nonprofit sector.

Overall Performance Metrics are Rubbish

by Joe Churpek | Feb 25, 2019

There’s more to performance metrics than meets the eye. Grow your active donor files to stay ahead of the game.

The Triangle of Truth

by Bill Jacobs | Feb 20, 2019

The Triangle of Truth helps clarify priorities. At Analytical Ones, there’s one place we will never compromise: Quality.

Not surprisingly, one of our favorite quotes at Analytical Ones is from Peter Drucker: “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” Most people in direct response fundraising agree. Perhaps that’s why the fundraising field is filled with metric hungry professionals – everyone wants to learn how to improve their programs and raise more money. Really, this drive for improving fundraising performance is why we are in business. But there is one fundraising category that seems not to be as metric hungry. And those are our friends who manage Peer-to-Peer fundraising events. While I have some hypotheses, I’m not exactly sure why this is the case. So, if you work in the P2P space, I’d love for you to review my hypotheses and tell me if these are all wrong. And, if they are, share your thoughts to explain this phenomenon. Hypothesis #1: Boards of Directors view P2P events as more about building the brand of the nonprofit and less about fundraising – so the focus is on executing a memorable event rather than a profitable event. Hypothesis #2: P2P events demand so many long hours of preparation that once it’s done, the staff really don’t have time to evaluate it. The focus is on starting preparation for the next event. Hypothesis #3: By nature, P2P staff are more qualitative than quantitative. They aren’t driven by the numbers like their direct response fundraiser counterparts. Hypothesis #4: P2P events just don’t budget for analytics – so they never can afford them. Ok P2P people, tell me I’m...