Tag Archives: Artez

More ePhilanthropy Ideas from Around the Web

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Guidestar summarizes recent Giving USA online fundraising survey:

  • while Internet giving is widely used, it still represents a small portion (under 5%) of overall fundraising
  • most common way organizations raise money over the web is through an online donation page
  • best results come from organizations that combine an online donation page with email appeals

Overall, social networking tools aren’t contributing much – yet, but an organization that utilizes online ‘communities’ is likely to improve results.

Care2′s FrogLoop blog interviews Phillip Artez, President of Artez on how to choose an eCRM.  Phillip says that successful nonprofit fundraisers “aren’t afraid to share brand, content and promotion with their supporters” and reminds us that a large portion of funds will come from a small group of fundraisers so we should “treat them differently.”  He mentions three areas where nonprofits should especially pay attention to: potential of social networking sites such as Facebook, donations originating from mobile devices and more organizations utilizing SalesForce (which has excellent connectivity to other systems and provides up to 10 free licenses to nonprofits).

Finally, the Nonprofit Times explains the importance of using multiple channels since many donors will visit the web before making a donation - even if it’s offline and, surprisingly, even more so for constituents 65 and older.  PerDonordigital‘s Nick Allen, “more people are online, more people are doing research online, checking out charities they support or are thinking about supporting.” But NPAdvisor‘s expert Rick Christ warns that “nonprofit’s Web site should try to support direct mail, but not replace it.” and that direct mail is still how many first hear about a nonprofit. Convio‘s Vinay Bhagat adds that while blogs and social networking are getting more attention, the core web site is still the main way constituents will evaluate a nonprofit.

Many contributors to the Nonprofit Times article, including Nten‘s Holly Ross stressed the importance of integrating the web site with email appeals.


Notes from Fundraising Day, ePhilanthropy Symposium

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I joined over 2000 colleagues who help nonprofits raise money at Fundraising Day last week.  Some takeaways:

Mark Rovner offered these tips:

  1. Ask When the Time is Right – when your organization / cause is in the news
  2. Avoid the Constant Ask
  3. Synchronize Your Channels – direct mail, email, web site
  4. Avoid ‘Soft Asks’
  5. Ask for Feedback – surveys, online focus groups
  6. Finish the Story, Close the Loop – don’t ask again after donation before informing how past donation was used
  7. Don’t Ask for the Wrong Amount – know what levels your donors have previously gave
  8. Recognize Cross Channel Behavior – many will donate online after receiving direct mail
  9. Make Sure You Thank More Than You Ask
  10. Test – Find Out For Yourself

Tom Gaffny demonstrated the value of asking for a specific amount for a specific purpose, rather than simply requesting a ‘general donation.’

A day later, I attended the ePhilanthropy Social Networking Symposium, where we debated the value of social networking tools to nonprofits.  Some highlights:

Steve MacLaughlin, Blackbaud‘s Director of Internet Solutions suggested that we ‘experiment first, plan later’ to make sure our organizations are represented in these new web environments.  He suggested a POST approach:

  • People - who are you targeting?
  • Objectives - what do you want to achieve?
  • Strategy - what will it look like when you’re done?
  • Technology - what tools will you use?

Philip King of Artez Interactive suggested the value of recruiting fundraisers instead of donors, and suggested that the ‘from’ line in an email will often be more important than the ‘subject’ line;  i.e. people give because of their relationship with people, not necessarily because they support the cause.  He also discussed the ‘game changing idea’ of Kiva, where people can donate without going through a nonprofit organization;  Oxfam Direct has also used this technique successfully.

To keep up with latest trends, many speakers mentioned the value of following sites such as Beth Kanter’s blog.

Many good online fundraising tips from Canadian based Artez Interactive

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Recently I had the opportunity to chat with Paul Estey, VP Strategy at Artez Interactive, a Canadian based firm which helps nonprofits with “web and technology-based products and services that empower individuals to engage in active relationships with charities, associations, and other nonprofit organizations.”

Artez has also posted presentations held at their recent conference, including topics such as:

  • Tech Innovation in Fundraising
  • Building Better Events
  • Solving the Integration Headache
  • Empowering Third Party Fundraisers (which describes their new ‘Personal Events’ tool, which allows constituents to help nonprofits in whatever way they choose)

While Artez is not as well known in the US, it’s clear that they have many good ideas to help nonprofits with online fundraising initiatives.  I’m especially pleased that they chose to highlight the challenge of data integration, as well as the more traditional fundraising topics. 

Online Fundraising Tips

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Attended a webinar on special events this week by the ePhilanthropy Foundation, led by CEO of Artez Interactive.  Many worthwhile tips for online fundraising, such as:

  • many nonprofits do extremely well with pledge based events, where participants sign up and then ask others to support their involvement.  It’s worthwhile to add a fundraising component to any online event, even those that have traditionally not involved fundraising.
  • using the formula: # participants x % who fundraise x # of people who ask x % that give x avg gift / sponsor = $ raised, there are many ways to increase event revenues.  Many will need encouragement to ask for the first gift, but most that are asked will give (but only if they are asked).
  • Most sponsors of event participants give due to their connection with participant, not due to any connection with the charitable organization (thus additional donations in the future may not happen)
  • Top 5% of fundraisers raise over 50% of pledges.  These constituents should be given special recognition to support their efforts.
  • ‘Widgets’ can be used to add fundraising tools to blogs, personal web pages etc.