Every time I meet older supporters, I get really worried – they have memory failure about most fundraising communications – including legacies. And yet memory leads to the greatest engagement opportunity. What are we getting wrong? And how can we get it right? Lifestyles of older generations Every time I meet supporters who have retired
As I depart (for Australia – not from this world!) my mind is buzzing. Why? I will be absorbing different mindsets from donors and fundraisers and striving to find new solutions to increase legacy giving. The moment I am not on a journey of discovery will be a sad day even after 30 years in
But the final hurdle……. 8 hotels. 4 countries. 3 weeks. A gruelling schedule but what I love about my job is that after 30 years I still have loads to learn and achieve. It’s like being in a race which just gets better. My determination to win gets stronger every year. But there are some
“Statistics are used like a drunk uses a lamppost: For support not illumination” I am not sure who said this but it is perfect for the world of legacies. I do it all the time. Back in 1987 I was a Director of CAF and took on a fascinating role: leading the new edition of
Fundraisers are generally young. Staff in communications departments are definitely young. Do young people REALLY understand older generations? I certainly didn’t in my 30’s, nor in my 40’s. Not even in my 50’s but in my 60’s my mindset has changed and I see myself differently – even if I feel 25. “60-somethings are going
Yes. I am serious. 99% of thank you letters are boring. A thank you letter does not give the final outcome of the appeal you communicated. A prompt thank you for a donation is meaningless. And often unwanted. A later letter – an impact letter – with full outcomes from the appeal – is far
This is the most exciting time to grow legacy income we have witnessed for generations. with at least 1 in 3 baby boomers wanting to leave a legacy to their favourite causes. But this new generation of legacy donors are so different to past generations. So the top tips for 2019 1 – Do not
What really annoys me at the moment is: special Will making offers. In my view most of them are deeply patronising and assume I am too stupid to have one (as a tail end baby boomer). What Is more, these “special offers”, which are not really special at all, are often attracting the least good
At the Institute of Fundraising Convention I was awarded the Lifetime Contribution to Fundraising Award. WOW I was totally overcome – even gobsmacked. At the ripe young age of 26 I found myself as Director of Fundraising of the Order of St John (St John Ambulance and their Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem). I really had
Never ever before have I had any will power – for decades I have been weak willed. I have always enjoyed my food and drink far too much and in the past had a few other typical addictions too. The same applies to my four older brothers. And my late Mum too. But just before