by Bill Jacobs | Sep 29, 2015 | Direct Mail, nonprofit analytics
Last month at DMA-NY, the American Cancer Society presented the adverse effects on their fundraising when they pulled out of direct mail acquisition. And though they received some undeserved criticism, I for one appreciated the fact they shared their results with all...
by Bill Jacobs | Sep 14, 2015 | Non-profit, nonprofit analytics
As fundraisers, we plan to succeed. And to maximize our chances for success, our plans have to be grounded in empiricism. Far too often, we’ve seen inexperienced boards or EDs make up crazy revenue goals for their DDs. These goals seem to be based on whim and wish....
by Bill Jacobs | Jul 6, 2015 | Donor Retention, Non-profit, nonprofit analytics
If there is one metric our industry is fixated upon, it’s LTV (long-term value). And, like so many other things, though it started out as such a good idea, it is in serious need of a tune-up. Now don’t get me started about the 7-ways to Wednesday that LTV is...
by Bill Jacobs | Sep 30, 2014 | Direct Mail, Donor Acquisition, Donor Retention, nonprofit analytics
My last blog we talked about how we don’t have a retention problem, we have a generational communication problem. This blog is going to introduce a new retention metric that we believe is more relevant than donor retention. It’s REVENUE retention. It’s simply looking...
by Bill Jacobs | Sep 29, 2014 | Direct Mail, Donor Retention, nonprofit analytics
I can envision the comments now: “What do you mean ‘we have don’t have a retention problem?’ Our retention is plummeting faster than the NFL’s credibility as a useful nonprofit organization.” Oh I hear you. Retention, particularly among second year donors has been...
by Bill Jacobs | Sep 9, 2014 | Direct Mail, Donor Acquisition, Non-profit, nonprofit analytics
Anyone who has worked with nonprofit organizations will be familiar with this paradox. And it’s killing nonprofit organizations as we speak. A healthy donor database requires a significant investment in acquiring new donors each and every year to replace the...
