From Randy Brewer, Chairman/CEO, BDI The tradition of giving and receiving Christmas gifts finds its roots in chapter two of Matthew’s gospel when the wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Throughout history, there have been many variations on gift giving – far too many to name......
Direct Edge Direct Edge December 2019 6 Likes
“For God so loved the world that He gave” (John 3:16). It’s a verse the Brewer Direct team hears Randy, Brewer Direct’s Founder and Chairman/CEO, quote often. Love, after all, is at the heart of giving – and for Randy, his love and generosity reach around the world. This......
Direct Edge Direct Edge November 2019 4 Likes
The one thing you most need to know about fundraising Posted by Future Fundraising Now: 08 Oct 2019 08:09 AM PDT There’s just one rule for successful fundraising? Could be. Here’s what The Better Fundraising Blog says that rule is, at The Only Rule? The people who are successful......
Direct Edge Direct Edge November 2019 Home 5 Likes
This month: OPTIMIZING YOUR EMAIL RESPONSE RATES Everyone loves email. But according to a recent article from Litmus, only 44% of nonprofit email marketers say their email program is successful. Bummer, right? But there are many reasons for this, which range from nonprofits having fewer employees dedicated to producing/sending emails,......
Direct Edge Direct Edge November 2019 Home 5 Likes
When you’re planning your next big fundraising event, it can feel overwhelming to even know where to start. Pressure mounts as you’re tasked to come up with a new idea that will engage your community and motivate them to give like never before… What would really send their generosity over......
Direct Edge Direct Edge October 2019 3 Likes
From Shellie Speer, Executive VP Client Strategic Development, Brewer Direct “Do what you do best and partner for the rest.” Wise words! When it comes to nonprofits – especially nonprofits with smaller budgets – there are limits to what can be accomplished alone. As Forbes notes, “Many nonprofits, especially......
Direct Edge Direct Edge October 2019 3 Likes
This month: INCREASING YOUR REACH WITH INFORMED DELIVERY Wondering what’s in the mail today? Many of us know all too well the frustration of driving to the post office, or walking down the drive in pouring rain to get the mail, only to discover an empty box… or worse, all......
Direct Edge October 2019 3 Likes
This month: Long Beach Rescue Mission (Long Beach, CA) Robert Probst, Executive Director, writes: As a Rescue Mission in one of the most populated areas in the U.S., it’s important that we have a partner who knows how to reach out and engage a very diverse community. We appreciate how......
Direct Edge Direct Edge October 2019 3 Likes
This month: Holland Rescue Mission (Holland, MI) Rachael Neal, Director of Development, writes: When we decided to use Brewer Direct for our marketing program, we thought we were getting an agency to help us raise funds through direct mail and digital appeals. We had no idea how much more there......
Direct Edge Direct Edge September 2019 2 Likes
This month: LIFTING YOUR EMAIL OPEN RATES When was the last time that you checked every single email you got on a given day? The answer for most of us is NEVER. You’re not alone. Our email inboxes are simply flooded every day, and it’s impossible to stay on......
Direct Edge Direct Edge September 2019 3 Likes
In a recent visit with one of our Board of Directors in New York City, I was asked about my “first impressions,” having recently completed my first 30 days of service as President of Brewer Direct. It’s a great question, but one not easily answered. In the last 30 days,......
Direct Edge Direct Edge August 2019 4 Likes
From Shellie Speer, Executive VP Client Strategic Development, Brewer Direct There’s nothing more powerful than saying, “thank you.” Just two little words. But for your donor or volunteer, they’re the two most important words you ever say to them! Many nonprofits have a solid thank you letter program, wherein......
Direct Edge Direct Edge August 2019 4 Likes
This month: TESTING YOUR STRATEGIES FOR BETTER RESULTS Do you know how best to communicate with your donors? How about your loved ones? Few of us would send our 95-year-old grandmother a text message… She likely wouldn’t respond! Whether you’re reaching out to grandma, or a donor interested in......
Direct Edge Direct Edge August 2019 3 Likes
Linda Casey wasn’t hired as Director of Development & Program at Bridgeport Rescue Mission because of her experience. In fact, she didn’t have any development experience when she came aboard. Linda began her career at Procter and Gamble. “My background was sales and marketing, with a heavy......
Direct Edge Direct Edge July 2019 3 Likes
From Shellie Speer, Executive VP Client Strategic Development, Brewer Direct You’re a nonprofit. You probably have a very lean budget, and as a result, a small staff. Your staff has always made it work. But now, your donations have increased… or you’re seeing more and more clients… or there’s......
Direct Edge Direct Edge July 2019 3 Likes
At the 2019 Citygate Conference in Palm Springs last month, Brewer Direct was proud to take home three Media Innovation Awards! These awards recognize Rescue Missions and other Citygate member ministries that are “making valuable progress in innovative and excellent creative offerings (print and digital).” They serve to highlight standout......
Direct Edge Direct Edge July 2019 3 Likes
This month: INSTAGRAM LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE DONATION STICKER FOR NONPROFITS What if Instagram became synonymous with instant donations? Thanks to the platform’s recent update, it soon could. This spring, Instagram unveiled a new Donation sticker for Stories, and promises 100% of funds raised through the feature will go directly to nonprofits.......
Direct Edge Direct Edge July 2019 3 Likes<!–nextpage–>
From Shellie Speer, Executive VP Client Strategic Development, Brewer Direct Throughout my 30 years partnering with Rescue Missions across the country, I’ve been blessed to witness so many small organizations doing amazing, godly work… but I’ve also seen that a large number need help! When you’re a Mission on......
Direct Edge Direct Edge June 2019 Home 2 Likes
This month: FACEBOOK ADS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE In recent months, some Missions have been frustrated to find their ads on Facebook being disapproved. What could be so harmful about asking your Facebook followers to give money to help the homeless? Often, it’s not the ask… but triggering words in the......
Direct Edge Direct Edge June 2019 Home 2 Likes
This month: Union Rescue Mission (Wichita, KS) Vici Myers, Director of Donor Engagement & Volunteerism, writes: We enjoy the services of Brewer Direct and have for 6 years. Their direct marketing has been a tremendous blessing in a multitude of ways! They demonstrate a great belief in Christ and a......
Direct Edge Direct Edge June 2019 2 Likes
This month: Wheeler Mission (Indianapolis & Bloomington, IN) Rick Alvis, President/CEO, writes: Brewer Direct knows our ministry inside and out and has long been dedicated to our partnership. So when we posed the question, “What can we do to promote our 125th anniversary while raising funds to expand our Center......
Direct Edge Direct Edge May 2019 Home 1 Like
From Randy Brewer, President/CEO/Chairman of the Board, Brewer Direct As a nonprofit, how do you expand in your city? By 2018, Wheeler had been serving their community for 125 years. Locally, they’re widely known and well respected. Their Thanksgiving morning “Drumstick Dash” race is the second largest in......
Direct Edge May 2019 Home 0 Likes
THE CHALLENGE Wheeler Mission has to turn away 700 requests monthly from women & children seeking help. THE GOAL Celebrate and leverage Wheeler’s 125th Anniversary with a capital campaign to raise $1.25 million in 125 days to expand their Center for Women & Children. Using a multi-channel, integrated strategy that......
Direct Edge Direct Edge May 2019 2 Likes
This month: GEOFENCING Sure, you’ve heard about Geofencing. But if you don’t quite understand it, you’re not alone. (So don’t worry!) The name offers a pretty good hint – a fence around geographic location. What’s inside the fence? Potential new donors! Tip of the month: Use geofencing for proximity......
Direct Edge Direct Edge May 2019 2 Likes
This month: SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS Many nonprofits have a conflicted relationship with social media. They love the immediacy of posting urgent needs and inspiring stories. They love being able to see their supporters’ responses and encouragement. But they don’t love that “likes” don’t necessarily translate into “donate now.” It’s frustrated......
Direct Edge Direct Edge April 2019 1 Like
Last year, as part of the integrated multi-media strategy for nonprofit client Wheeler Mission celebrating their 125th anniversary, Brewer Direct worked with Wheeler in utilizing local partnerships to get out the word about their campaign goal: $1.25 million in 125 days to support the growing numbers of homeless women and......
Direct Edge Direct Edge April 2019 1 Like
From Shellie Speer, Executive VP/Client Strategic Development, Brewer Direct Is your nonprofit “on brand”? I hope you would immediately say, “Yes!” But if not, let’s change that. Because as a nonprofit, your brand IS your mission statement. That mission statement is your promise about the work you do. Serving......
Direct Edge Direct Edge April 2019 1 Like
This month: Buffalo City Mission (Buffalo, NY) Aubrey Calhoun, Associate Executive Director, writes: It’s with pleasure and excitement that I reflect on the positive results of our partnership with BDI, which has impacted all areas of our fundraising efforts. These are just a few of the many reasons we are......
Direct Edge Direct Edge April 2019 1 Like
This month: EMAIL BEST PRACTICES As an agency with expertise in digital fundraising, we’re often asked 2 questions: How much should we email? Aren’t we emailing too much? Tip of the month: Keep sending emails… and focus on sending the right mix. We recommend having a planned email......
Direct Edge Direct Edge March 2019 1 Like
This month: Peoria Rescue Ministries (Peoria, IL) Jonathan Rocke, Executive Director, writes: “It’s been over a year now since we started working with Brewer Direct, and I have to tell you, we’ve been thrilled by the results! Our appeals have beaten all projections in both response rate and income. We’re......
Direct Edge Direct Edge March 2019 1 Like
Last year, as part of the integrated multi-media strategy for nonprofit client Wheeler Mission celebrating their 125th anniversary, Brewer Direct spearheaded a truly unique guerrilla marketing campaign on the streets of Indianapolis. This campaign, led by Brewer Direct’s Lolly Colombo (VP/Client Service) and Matt Sommer (VP/Creative Director), led to millions......
Direct Edge Direct Edge March 2019 Home 1 Like
From Shellie Speer, Executive VP/Client Strategic Development, Brewer Direct I’ve worked with nonprofit organizations for a number of years now, and while I get asked a lot of questions over and over, one question I wish more nonprofits asked me – and themselves – is about improving their performance......
Direct Edge Direct Edge March 2019 Home 1 Like
This month: Bridgeport Rescue Mission (Bridgeport, CT) Pastor Terry Wilcox, Executive Director, writes: “Far beyond direct mail and newsletters, BDI’s full-service consulting has helped us Identify and cultivate the support of major donors. Build a thriving corporate sponsorship program. Grow our Great ThanksGiving Project to the point where it has......
Direct Edge Direct Edge February 2019 1 Like
This month: ONLINE WELCOME SERIES You’ve just gotten a new email address. Whether it’s from a new donor or someone who’s subscribed to receive email updates, congrats! But now that you have them, do you immediately ask them for a/another donation? Tip of the month: Create a set of Welcome......
Direct Edge Direct Edge February 2019 1 Like
From Shellie Speer, Executive VP/Client Strategic Development, Brewer Direct Did you know that the average client-agency relationship lasts only 3 years? I would guess there are many, many reasons for such short tenure, but I think the bottom line is this: Many organizations don’t know how to hire the......
Direct Edge Direct Edge February 2019 1 Like
One of my favorite characters in Star Wars is Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi. What I like best about him is that his role (especially in the original Star Wars) was to make the main character, Luke Skywalker, great. Obi-Wan was the guide, the confidence builder, the mentor and ultimately the protector.......
Direct Edge Direct Edge February 2019 1 Like
A WHITE PAPER FROM BREWER DIRECT & ANALYTICAL ONES, JANUARY 2019 When you’re a faith-based fundraiser in an increasingly complex and secular world, you’re going to face unique challenges. Releasing generosity form supporters requires a healthy, growing donor pool… but for many Christian nonprofits, that pool is shrinking. And with......
Direct Edge Direct Edge February 2019 1 Like
This month:FACEBOOK VIDEOS Video is a super effective way to engage your Facebook followers. However, you may not have the resources in place to easily create a video. Tip of the month: Use multiple images to create a video on Facebook! Choose your best photos and use them to......
Direct Edge Direct Edge January 2019 Home 1 Like
This month: Union Gospel Mission (Spokane, WA) Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director, writes: “More than simply responding to our needs, your team at Brewer Direct helps us define them. They listen to our challenges, concerns and questions – and they hear us! They work with us to create unique solutions......
Direct Edge Direct Edge January 2019 Home 1 Like
From Randy Brewer, President/CEO, Brewer Direct At the start of a new year, I have a challenge for you called “Releasing Generosity.” Instead of seeing yourself as someone who raises funds for nonprofits, I want you to see yourself as someone who offers others an opportunity to release the......
Direct Edge Direct Edge January 2019 1 Like