Direct Response Fundraising

It happens all the time: an organization is evaluating a big expenditure and someone on the team mentions how it might affect the number of stars...

14 Jul 2015

Starstruck: Is Chasing Charity Ratings Strangling Your Nonprofit?

It happens all the time: an organization is evaluating a big expenditure and someone on the team mentions how it…

Douglas Shaw & Associates

Direct Response Fundraising

In my last blog, I urged you to not give in to pressure to use email as the channel for your thank-you letter and official donor receipt. If you remember I cited a statistic that’s pretty compelling . . . “most organizations receive as much as 30% of their direct response income from bounce-back or receipt income.” Notice I qualified my statement by using the phrase, “direct response.”

30 Jun 2015

The Great Advantage of a Snail Mail Receipt

In my last blog, I urged you to not give in to pressure to use email as the channel for…

Doug Shaw No Comments

Direct Response Fundraising

There are a lot of rumors, buzz, and desire to pressure you to move most of your organization’s fundraising to online channels, be it email, web...

23 Jun 2015

Online vs. Offline Channels as Income Sources

There are a lot of rumors, buzz, and desire to pressure you to move most of your organization’s fundraising to…

Doug Shaw No Comments

Direct Response Fundraising

There’s an old country saying, “Don’t hire a dog and bark yourself.” In fact this is exactly what many nonprofit’s do; they hire a fundraising consultant...

09 Jun 2015

Self-Awareness: The Best Friend of the Fundraiser

There’s an old country saying, “Don’t hire a dog and bark yourself.” In fact this is exactly what many nonprofit’s…

Doug Shaw

Direct Response Fundraising

It seems like of lot of people are asking this question. It’s a reasonable thing to ask, especially if your nonprofit is thinking about trying to grow...

01 Mar 2015

How Often Should Our Organization Ask for Money in the Mail?

It seems like of lot of people are asking this question. It’s a reasonable thing to ask, especially if your…

Doug Shaw No Comments

Direct Response Fundraising

I’ve been around the fundraising barn a few times. In fact I’ve worn a path around it that, if filled with water, would resemble a moat! I’ve played...

27 Feb 2015

Just Because We Want a Strategy to Work Doesn’t Mean it Will

I’ve been around the fundraising barn a few times. In fact I’ve worn a path around it that, if filled…

Doug Shaw No Comments

Direct Response Fundraising

I first heard this comment in 1980, when I began my fundraising journey. I was sitting in the office of the president of a nonprofit. Seated around...

20 Feb 2015

My Donors are Getting Too Old, What Do I Do?

I first heard this comment in 1980, when I began my fundraising journey. I was sitting in the office of…

Doug Shaw No Comments

Direct Response Fundraising

That’s right; some of the oldest and largest nonprofits in the world are joined by some of the newest and smallest organizations in this seductive activity!

08 Feb 2015

Jumping to Conclusions is a Great Thing to do!

That’s right; some of the oldest and largest nonprofits in the world are joined by some of the newest and…

Doug Shaw No Comments

Direct Response Fundraising

I’m a huge fan of all things food related. One of my favorites is the always irreverent Gordon Ramsay and his Kitchen Nightmares. That’s where...

25 Jan 2015

The Paralyzing Effect of Choice

I’m a huge fan of all things food related. One of my favorites is the always irreverent Gordon Ramsay and…

Douglas Shaw & Associates No Comments

Direct Response Fundraising

Do you struggle with Shiny Object Syndrome (S-O-S)? You know what I mean. You go to the store with a distinct list of things you need and you...

11 Jan 2015

The Cure for Shiny Object Syndrome

Do you struggle with Shiny Object Syndrome (S-O-S)? You know what I mean. You go to the store with a…

Douglas Shaw & Associates No Comments