If you’re struggling to create new content for your website, consider this your permission to stop. More blog posts won’t help you stand out in search engine results; high-quality, evergreen articles updated regularly will. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with TJ Peeler, Director of User Experience, and Meredith Berents, a Digital and SEO Analyst, about how updating current content can help you build a stronger SEO strategy and bring more organic traffic to your site. They discuss: The value of comprehensive content How to identify high-performing content through an audit The online tools that can help you pinpoint your audience’s search intent Practical steps for updating your content When new content can be valuable
It’s more important than ever to be transparent about how you use donations in your organization. Next-generation donors especially want an immediate return on their dollars. But there’s more to it than sending a thank-you email; getting creative with technology can make a significant difference. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Chief Strategy Officer Trent Ricker talks with Christa Stelzmuller, Chief Technology Officer at charity: water, about how the nonprofit’s 100% model is driving donor loyalty and long-term support. Christa also discusses her switch from startups and what nonprofits can learn from B Corps companies with social good built into their business models. Facing increasing competition from for-profit do-gooders, Christa explains how nonprofits can utilize technology like virtual reality and GPS mapping to draw a distinct connection between donations and impact. She also gives a sneak preview of an innovative and immersive experience charity: water will launch soon.
The digital landscape constantly evolves. Changing algorithms, shifting audience preferences, and privacy concerns can be challenging to sort through. Paid media can help you solve this puzzle. On this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Allegiance Group + Pursuant’s Chief Strategy Officer, Trent Ricker, talks with VP of Advertising Laura Hinrichsen about how nonprofits can use paid media tactics to build a strong digital presence. They discuss: -The core components of digital fundraising and marketing -How your owned media can help you launch a paid media strategy -Why it’s crucial to get your marketing and development teams on the same page -How even small nonprofits with limited budgets can make a big impact through paid media Your owned media will help you maintain awareness with your constituents, but paid media is the key to jumpstarting deep donor relationships.
How is your nonprofit's brand significant in the lives of your loyal users? That's the question branding expert Cynthia Round asks every organization that works with her. The reason? Studies have shown that building and maintaining an emotional connection with your users is what inspires their loyalty. In this episode, learn how Cynthia has worked with some of the nonprofit industry's most distinguished institutions to ensure they remain relevant in the lives of their most valuable supporters. Along the way, you'll discover: - Successful strategies for discovering what your donors care about beyond surface metrics - Tactics for creating an emotional connection with your audience - Ways to encourage buy-in of a new brand identity across your entire organization
As you grow your channels to meet donors where they are, you must also measure your performance in each medium. But with an omnichannel approach, that’s way easier said than done. Did the email prompt a gift, or was it a social media post? Your direct mail piece or the text message? Measuring an omnichannel campaign gives a holistic view of your engagement and performance. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we break down the attribution methods that can best help you wrangle all the metrics you’re tracking so you can more clearly communicate your ROI. Learn the difference between direct, indirect, and time-based attribution models, then put them to work in your presentations to executive leadership and board members. And if this all sounds too complex, we offer three easy tips to get you started.
Omni-channel fundraising strategies are the foundation of every nonprofit we work with. But to ensure you’re reaching the right donors with the right messaging, you need to step back and evaluate every constituent relationship and communication. A touchpoint audit is part of a larger journey-mapping exercise that lays out the many ways donors and leads interact with your organization. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Matthew Mielcarek, SVP of Analytics & Insights Strategy, walks us through this valuable tactic. You’ll learn: How to begin journey mapping Why it’s important to put on your “donor hat” How the donor vortex comes into play How touchpoint audits differ for new leads vs new donors Why it all comes down to stronger donor relationships
As fundraisers, we’re trained to focus on the response to each campaign or effort. Every channel collects and analyzes data so you can optimize your messaging. But can you accurately say that a donor who doesn’t scan your postcard’s QR code doesn’t want direct mail? What about the person who received a text and then donated via email — is email really their preferred channel? An omni-channel approach might muddy the attribution waters, but it’s crucial for a comprehensive view of the series of touchpoints that led to a gift. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, our tech experts break down the tools you need to unify your data and build a successful omni-channel strategy. Mark Leta, VP of Technology, and Stephanie Drahan, an AVP on the Client Experience Team, share tips and best practices to help you overcome the challenges of managing multiple channels. They also discuss the steps your team should take as you move toward omni-channel marketing and fundraising so you can deliver a more consistent and engaging donor experience.
Are you overwhelmed by omnichannel fundraising? As tricky as this approach can be, it’s crucial to build deeper loyalty with your constituents. On this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with Laura Hinrichsen, VP of Advertising, and Kacey Crawford, VP of Digital Strategy, about how nonprofits can master omnichannel fundraising and marketing. We break down crucial concepts, share practical tips, and discuss real-world success stories to help your nonprofit thrive in a competitive landscape. Our two Allegiance Group + Pursuant experts also offer advice on breaking down internal siloes that may be holding your organization back. They’ll help you secure buy-in from each team and upper management so you can work together to achieve your goals. Listen now to start building the foundation for an omnichannel strategy that puts your constituents front and center.
In this episode, Pursuant's CEO Trent Ricker sat down with Kevin Hagan, President and CEO of PAN Foundation, to talk about the effect of global crises on fundraising. With the current Ukraine crisis, we've seen nontraditional or so-called 'unorganized' giving, as people adopted unique ways to support and donate. In this dialogue, these nonprofit leaders discuss lessons that nonprofits can learn from grassroots efforts like these when it comes to funding specific missions.
The lines between responsibilities and budgets of the marketing and fundraising departments can often blur at nonprofits. Although each department brings important and unique assets to an organization, when they align and work together, they can create a more impactful experience for constituents. In this episode, Pursuant CEO, Trent Ricker spoke with Sue Citro, Chief Experience Officer at Best Friends Animal Society about ways leaders can encourage collaboration between the fundraising and marketing departments to create optimal stewardship experiences. As Chief Experience Officer, Sue ensures that the marketing communications, fundraising, and experience teams are working in unison to create the best experience possible for donors and people who interact with Best Friends Animal Society.
Many nonprofits tend to focus their ad dollars at the crucial end of the year when people are naturally more inclined to give. However, spreading your advertising budget across the year can set your year-end campaign up for optimal success. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, Laura Hinrichsen, VP of Advertising, and Megan Morris, Director of Advertising, discuss the challenges of focusing solely on year-end advertising — and why a year-round ad strategy may be more effective. By hooking a prospect early, you can spend weeks or even months sharing your story with them. Then, when you ask for support at year-end, they’ll be more likely to act. Our experts also share how a year-round ad spend can help you generate more leads and build your list. They wrap up with quick tips for navigating the presidential election.
When we look at generational giving, it’s easy to focus on baby boomers, millennials, and Gen Z. But tucked in between these groups is Gen X, which is projected to inherit $30 trillion in the Great Wealth Transfer through 2040. Could Gen X be the hidden key to the future of philanthropy? In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we welcome Alyssa Boger, EVP of Client Strategy, as she unpacks this question and more. The oldest Gen Xers are nearing retirement age, while the youngest are reaching their peak earning years. These stages of life stand to shape their giving today and tomorrow. This is a group that seeks to make an immediate impact with their time, money, and advocacy. We also talked about Gen X’s children, Gen Alpha. While they’re too young to engage with direct messaging, this generation’s online behaviors point to strategies that could reshape how you think about fundraising.
Digital advertising is full of mystery — it certainly doesn’t help that the rules seem to change every day. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we aim to make digital advertising a little easier. Our guest, Allegiance Group + Pursuant VP of Advertising Laura Hinrichsen, joins us to dispel five myths about digital advertising. From Google Ad Grants and Facebook advertising to last-click attribution and video content, this conversation highlights what you need to know for an effective digital advertising campaign. It’s time to leverage your full potential in the digital space. Listen to the full episode now.
What if the key to transforming your fundraising efforts lies in a technology many fear? In this Go Beyond Fundraising Podcast episode, we explore the bold new frontier of artificial intelligence (AI). Allegiance Group + Pursuant's Chief Strategy Officer, Trent Ricker, considers the nuanced role of artificial intelligence in enhancing human connections. Rather than replacing personal interactions, AI can be a powerful tool to augment our ability to build and maintain deeper, more sincere relationships. Trent highlights the importance of leveraging technology to organize our lives better, prioritize effectively, and ultimately become more empathetic and attentive individuals. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that explores how AI can help us achieve the very human goal of closer, more meaningful relationships between donors and nonprofit organizations.
Recent statistics show continued declines across all types of donors from 2022 to 2023 — except those who had given seven or more gifts, which increased. This growth highlights the significance of donor loyalty. In this Go Beyond Fundraising podcast episode, Allegiance Group + Pursuant Chief Strategy Officer Trent Ricker discusses the value of fostering deep, meaningful relationships with donors. He emphasizes quality over quantity and says loyalty to an organization can lead to deep-rooted support that will last regardless of what’s happening in the short term. Trent also explains the difference between transactional and relational fundraising. He urges nonprofit professionals to return to the basics and focus on stewardship, using data and donor preferences as a guide. He even shares how a positive stewardship experience turned a planned gift from his stepfather into family-wide support for a children’s healthcare organization.
Determining the health of your organization can be tricky. The success of one campaign or a decrease in one certain metric isn’t enough to know whether your fundraising efforts are working. In this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we’re joined by Teena Wright, Annual Giving Director at Idaho Public Television, and Debbie Merlino, an Executive Vice President at Allegiance Group + Pursuant. Together, they outline the seven key database metrics you should track to get a better sense of where you stand. They’ll also address some common questions: - How often should you look at your data? -How can you account for seasonality as you compare one time to another? -What KPIs do you track for a campaign vs. long-term planning? Listen to the full episode now to get the seven database KPIs that will give you a clear snapshot of the overall relationship donors have with your organization.
The Fundraising Effectiveness Project’s latest Quarterly Fundraising Report™ is out, and we’re digging in! In this episode of Fundraising Today, VP of Client Strategy Kristin Priest breaks down the key findings that compare overall philanthropic giving trends in 2022 and 2023. The report tracks macro trends in donors, dollars, and retention, then looks deeper at each category. The leading takeaway is that all three show a continued decline, but there is a glimmer of good news. For instance, in 2022, donors were down 10%; but in 2023, they’re only down about 3.4%. Join us as we discuss what the report means for fundraisers as we prep for the second half of 2024. Will we continue to see decreases, or is this the year that things start to stabilize? Kristin also shares five strategies fundraisers can use to acquire, engage, and retain donors.
Does your organization have a rich history that your donors love? The magic of digital archiving is that it makes historical artifacts available to anyone, anywhere. However, not everyone has the know-how or the technology to properly preserve their physical media for future generations or how to leverage it in fundraising communications. In this episode of Fundraising Today, we'll sit down with Kristen Gwinn-Becker, PhD from HistoryIT, to explore digital archives' challenges, opportunities, and future, emphasizing the power of storytelling and engagement. Don't miss our webinar with HistoryIT on May 16! Register here: https://info.teamallegiance.com/connecting-with-faces-from-the-past-leveraging-digital-archives-for-non-profit-storytelling-and-engagement
It’s hard to miss the fact that 2024 is an election year. The presidential race is dominating news cycles and social media, but what does it mean for your fundraising efforts? On this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast, we talk with Allegiance Group + Pursuant Chief Strategy Officer Trent Ricker about what nonprofits can expect. Organizations often fear that political giving will impact their fundraising; however, studies show this simply doesn’t happen. Instead, nonprofits should adjust their timing and approach to campaigns based on the political climate. Ricker highlights the need for nonprofits to stay agile and responsive to changing advertising policies in terms of ad content, imagery, and cost. He also stresses the power of data to inform how nonprofits address local and national issues in their fundraising. Finally, he emphasizes that while it’s important to be aware of the election, organizations should stay focused on advancing their mission and engaging their donors.
What does it take to start and scale a nonprofit? Elana Frank is still learning, and she’s sharing her lessons in this episode of the Go Beyond Fundraising podcast. Frank is the founder and CEO of the Jewish Fertility Foundation, which provides financial assistance, support, and education to those struggling with infertility. In just nine years, the nonprofit has grown to eight locations across the country. She discusses what she’s learned while scaling the organization, including the qualities she seeks in those hired to lead each location. Frank also emphasizes how important it is for founders and CEOs to work with a professional business coach, as well as why all leaders need to slow down sometimes and give themselves some grace.