Direct mail is like an orange. When you pay for an orange, you think you’re paying for a simple piece of fruit. But look deeper… there are SO MANY variables and cost factors that go into you buying that simple piece of fruit: ...
08 April, 2021 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot April 2021 Carmen Campbell Thought Leaders 61 Likes
This week, I’ve been thinking about the pandemic metaphorically as “the monster under the bed.” ...
30 March, 2021 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot April 2021 Lolly Colombo Marketing Thought Leaders 47 Likes
Remember just one year ago, when some of us would’ve asked, “What’s a Zoom?” What a difference a year – and a global pandemic – makes! ...
17 March, 2021 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot March 2021 Katrina Williams Marketing Thought Leaders Videos Webinars 46 Likes
The phrase “Donor Burnout” has been used in our industry for years. But is it real… or simply a myth to scare away fundraisers?...
10 March, 2021 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot March 2021 Donor Acquisition Nonprofits & Philanthropy Shellie Speer Thought Leaders 42 Likes
I’m a perpetual student of success. Over the past several months, I have been studying the career of the Executive Chairman and former CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger. Love or despise Disney, there’s no question that it continues to evolve, adapt, grow, and thrive as an organization - seemingly no matter the massive changes of its audiences and customers over time....
02 March, 2021 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot March 2021 Home Leadership Michael Tomlinson Nonprofits & Philanthropy Thought Leaders 84 Likes
The pandemic has posed serious challenges for many nonprofits. At the same time, organizations whose core services align with coronavirus relief efforts have experienced an increase in support from both repeat givers and new donors....
24 February, 2021 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot March 2021 Donor Acquisition Mindy Sherfy Nonprofits & Philanthropy Thought Leaders 43 Likes
Early last month, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case addressing the mandatory disclosure of donor giving information to state officials. Currently, three states – California, New Jersey and New York – mandate that donor information (including donor name, address and gift amount) be shared with the State Attorney General’s Office. If the charity doesn’t comply, then the charity will not have the authority to solicit gifts. ...
12 February, 2021 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot February 2021 Home Leadership Nonprofits & Philanthropy Phil Stolberg Thought Leaders 45 Likes
Years ago, my wife Kelly shared with me a new entrepreneurial calling – she wanted to open and operate her own beauty salon. After spending most of her professional career serving within other salons, the Lord put it on her heart to open her own small business… to extend what she calls her “ministry in the chair.” ...
01 February, 2021 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot February 2021 Donor Acquisition Home Michael Tomlinson Nonprofits & Philanthropy Thought Leaders 60 Likes
Years ago, I got to spend an evening with ZZ Top. Working for a promotions agency, I partnered with Warner Brothers Records to create a cause-related campaign highlighting their RECYCLER Tour. Save the planet and get to hang with the band. ...
25 January, 2021 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot February 2021 Home Kevin Bryant Leadership Marketing Thought Leaders 43 Likes
In the summer of 2020, I directed our attention to bright spots in nonprofit fundraising that were taking place in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. In conversations with colleagues, partners and our expert team, one thing was clear: even in the midst of unforeseen hurdles, supporting donors have the deep desire to help and they’re committed to doing what they can, when they can. ...
14 January, 2021 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot January 2021 Donor Acquisition Home Marketing Michael Tomlinson Thought Leaders 37 Likes
A client recently came to me with this question: Why don’t we just send people age 65+ the direct mail appeals and take anyone under 65 out of the mail program? The question was, of course, predicated on the assumption that only “senior citizens” respond to direct mail, and the belief that people under 65 would be better cultivated through digital channels....
08 January, 2021 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot January 2021 Direct Mail Nonprofits & Philanthropy Rhonda Moore Thought Leaders 47 Likes
Let’s start with the basics: Data is a collection of raw information including text, numbers, donations, images… and on and on. Bored yet?...
08 January, 2021 Angella Hubbert BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot January 2021 Data & Analytics Nonprofits & Philanthropy Thought Leaders 41 Likes
“Are we sending too many emails?” This is a question our digital team gets asked a lot, especially right now. And honestly, we DO send a lot of emails on behalf of our clients between September and December! With Thanksgiving, Christmas, Giving Tuesday and Year End fundraising all happening in this window, the number of emails stacks up quickly...
17 December, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot December Digital Donor Acquisition Stephanie Tippitt Thought Leaders 37 Likes
It’s finally December and the whole world has been expectant of 2020 coming to a close. It has, indeed, been a year of unprecedented, challenging times: Uncertainty, worry, anxiety, stress, fear, loss and pain have marked 2020. And yet, 2021 is not quick to promise change. ...
17 December, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot December Creativity & Innovation Leadership Lolly Colombo Thought Leaders 48 Likes
Do you believe that you have inspirations that expand beyond the same-old-same-old? Let’s call them… game changers… a new vision for abundance… overdrive realized....
08 December, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot December 40 Likes
Finish this sentence: 2020 has taught me… Perseverance? Patience? Flexibility? Innovation? We learned more this year than we ever could have anticipated. 2020 exposed new trends in the nonprofit industry, revitalized the nation’s spirit of philanthropy and expanded our understanding of ourselves, each other and how we function as a team. ...
03 December, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot December Lolly Colombo Marketing Nonprofits & Philanthropy Thought Leaders 37 Likes
Right now is the perfect time for nonprofits to think seriously about capacity campaigns. ...
19 November, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot November Marketing Nonprofits & Philanthropy Sarah Wallin Thought Leaders 44 Likes
What a year it’s been. COVID-19. Quarantine and social distancing. Social unrest. Wildfires, tornadoes and hurricanes. A presidential election. And it’s not over yet! ...
12 November, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot November Leadership Nonprofits & Philanthropy Phil Stolberg Thought Leaders 45 Likes
When you hear the term “Millennials,” what’s the first word that comes to mind? Tech-savvy? Innovative? Entrepreneurial? Community-driven? Adventurous? Or maybe… Entitled? Hypocritical? Arrogant? Lazy? Impatient? There’s a diverse bag of words and images that make up society’s perception of the millennial generation. In turn, it affects how nonprofit fundraisers approach targeting, communicating with and retaining millennial donors....
28 October, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot November Donor Acquisition Katrina Williams Marketing Thought Leaders 38 Likes
Anyone who knows me at BDI will tell you: I can’t stop talking about Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) lately. And I’m not going to stop anytime soon – in fact, I’m really excited to have this chance to share more about DAFs with you today! ...
08 October, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot November BDI Quick Shot October Donor Acquisition Fundraising Tips Micah Mann Thought Leaders 23 Likes
Public perception is often out of your control. Just one situation – negative or positive – can shape your ministry’s reputation for weeks or even months. But after 35 years in public relations, I’ve learned there are a lot of things you CAN control. Let me show you how the 3 P’s of PR can make all the difference!...
26 October, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot October 26 Likes
Here we are! Another busy week packed with streaming video meetings on Zoom, conference calls and the torrential flow of emails. Although leaning into the benefits of connective technologies has allowed my team and me to work safely and productively from our respective remote offices, I’ll admit that at times virtual communication can scramble the brain. ...
13 October, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot October Digital Donor Acquisition Home Michael Tomlinson Thought Leaders 31 Likes
Anyone who knows me at BDI will tell you: I can’t stop talking about Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) lately. And I’m not going to stop anytime soon – in fact, I’m really excited to have this chance to share more about DAFs with you today! ...
08 October, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot November BDI Quick Shot October Donor Acquisition Fundraising Tips Micah Mann Thought Leaders 23 Likes
Authenticity sells. But authenticity online can be a tightrope as a nonprofit. You need to raise funds to support your programs, services and outreach. But at the same time, you don’t want your donors to feel you’re using any tricks on social media in order to get their money. And in our marketing-saturated modern life, they know when they’re being manipulated. ...
24 September, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot September Digital Fundraising Tips Matt Rayburn Thought Leaders 23 Likes
These days, scroll through your social media feed and you’ll probably see a post where someone declares a destination, restaurant or a product as “on brand” for them. Meaning, this aligns with who I am/what I believe/how I live my life. So let’s redirect to the nonprofit world......
16 September, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot September Data & Analytics Leadership Lolly Colombo Marketing Matt Rayburn Thought Leaders 14 Likes
BDI is here to help you ride the waves of change! As the summer months come to a close, we look ahead to the coming season of new political, economic, social and philanthropic developments. At this point, you may feel like 2020 is a series of earthquakes and aftershocks......
09 September, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot September Fundraising Tips Katrina Williams Nonprofits & Philanthropy Thought Leaders 15 Likes
Ahh… certainty. Not easy right now when the world seems to be coming unglued. You don’t want to make a mistake, because the lives and welfare of the hurting people you serve are at stake. But there is a peaceful pathway that awaits. A few principles you can take to heart that will help provide confidence and rest as you navigate raising funds in these stormy seas. And for certain… produce better results....
30 August, 2020 BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot September Creativity & Innovation Matt Sommers Nonprofits & Philanthropy Thought Leaders 11 Likes
Related posts: QUICK SHOT: Overwhelmed by choices in Digital Marketing? QUICK SHOT: Death, Taxes and Donor Attrition The 2 Tips to Develop Recurring Donations QUICK SHOT: 4 Tips For Leaders Facing Difficult Decisions...
BDI Quick Shot August Data & Analytics Digital Stephanie Tippitt Thought Leaders 10 Likes
Related posts: QUICK SHOT: Connect with Donors During Crisis and Beyond. Here’s How. QUICK SHOT: Strengthen Donor Relationships During Crisis QUICK SHOT: Have the nation and your donors given up on “Hope”? QUICK SHOT: How to maximize ROI from a simple acquisition piece this fall!...
BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot August Donor Acquisition Home Leadership Michael Tomlinson Thought Leaders 24 Likes
Related posts: QUICK SHOT: Death, Taxes and Donor Attrition QUICK SHOT: Fundraise Like Your Building is on Fire QUICK SHOT: Connect with Donors During Crisis and Beyond. Here’s How. QUICK SHOT: Strengthen Donor Relationships During Crisis...
BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot August David Stolberg Direct Mail Donor Acquisition Lolly Colombo Thought Leaders 9 Likes
Related posts: QUICK SHOT: Strengthen Donor Relationships During Crisis QUICK SHOT: Death, Taxes and Donor Attrition QUICK SHOT: Have the nation and your donors given up on “Hope”? QUICK SHOT: Fundraise Like Your Building is on Fire...
BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot July Donor Acquisition Leadership Michael Tomlinson Thought Leaders 49 Likes
Related posts: QUICK SHOT: Death, Taxes and Donor Attrition QUICK SHOT: Innovation During Challenging Times QUICK SHOT: 4 Tips For Leaders Facing Difficult Decisions QUICK SHOT: Strengthen Donor Relationships During Crisis...
Angella Hubbert BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot July Data & Analytics Thought Leaders 10 Likes
It has been said that nothing in life is certain… except death and taxes. When it comes to fundraising, there is a third certainty: donor attrition. If there’s one thing we can count on in fundraising it is this – around 30-40% of donors who gave to your organization last......
BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot July Donor Acquisition Rhonda Moore Thought Leaders 11 Likes
These days, we’re inundated with information. Conflicting news, fluctuating numbers, and opposing opinions are everywhere. Even though this season of isolation may have felt like a digital hurricane of content, there’s a silver lining: People are connecting online more than ever before. This is great news for nonprofits! During times......
BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot June Donor Acquisition Leadership Michael Tomlinson Thought Leaders 32 Likes
In a recent marketing survey, consumers listed “positivity (optimism, hope)” dead last in what they want to hear from companies during the COVID-19 crisis. See: Morning Consult – Brand Management in the COVID-19 Era Has hope really become hopeless as a way of sharing your message? This might be......
BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot June Creativity & Innovation Matt Sommers Nonprofits & Philanthropy Thought Leaders 12 Likes
As we enter the summer months, here’s a brief update on the United States Postal Service (USPS). It’s been a difficult year for USPS, especially given the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that a majority of nonprofit direct response mailings rely on USPS, it’s important to pay attention......
BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot June Nonprofits & Philanthropy Phil Stolberg Thought Leaders 12 Likes
“If only our building would catch on fire!” I once had a CEO lament to me about a time a local Rescue Mission raised over a million dollars through a fundraising campaign after a fire had destroyed their Mission. While this CEO wasn’t literally wishing for his Mission to burn......
BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot June David Stolberg Donor Acquisition Marketing Thought Leaders 10 Likes
Maybe you’ve noticed… digital marketing has exploded over the last few years! It’s super exciting. But it can also be EXHAUSTING. Even for me… and this is my specialty! So I can only imagine that if you’re relatively new to digital marketing, you may be feeling overwhelmed. Not just by......
BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot May Donor Acquisition Leadership Stephanie Tippitt Thought Leaders 18 Likes
If you’re like me, making difficult decisions is DIFFICULT. And life has a habit of confronting us with difficult decisions. Whom do I marry? Is divorce the only solution? Do we move or not? How do I care for an aging parent? Which bills should I pay first? And the......
BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot May Digital Leadership Marketing Phil Stolberg Stephanie Tippitt Thought Leaders 14 Likes
Related posts: BDI Welcomes Winston-Salem Rescue Mission Brewer Direct receives 3 Media Innovation Awards BDI Welcomes Kalamazoo Gospel Mission In with the new…...
BDI Quick Shot BDI Quick Shot May Creativity & Innovation Leadership Lolly Colombo Thought Leaders 11 Likes