Category: Demographics
-
Your donors are different, until they are not
Many nonprofits start out like this: A person or group sees a problem (or an opportunity) that they have a vision to improve. So they create an organization to tackle the problem and make the world a better place. That person or group, and the people who join them in the work, are typically experts…
-
Ignore the false premise and promise of “generational” fundraising
“My generation is all about authenticity,” proclaims a Millennial (or maybe Gen-X) fundraiser. “All fundraising today is missing us.” And they have ideas about how to market to Millennials or Gen X. Or Y. Or Z. All based on the “fact” that people are organized into distinct “generations” with meaningful differences and clear boundaries between…
-
The motivation divide between young and old — and what that means for your fundraising
Research shows an interesting thing that happens to most people some time around the age of 50: Your motivation shifts away from achievement and success and moves toward “significance.” What you want gets less about “winning” and more about “mattering.” If you are well under 50, you may have to suspend your disbelief as you…
-
Make your fundraising work better for donors of all ages
Rideshare company Lyft has announced a new version of their app aimed at older adults. It’s called Lyft Silver. The company says it’s about giving seniors “the gift of independence, without the weight of worry.” What’s different about it? Larger text, simpler menus, and the ability for riders to book vehicles that are easier to…
-
7 ways to connect with older donors
Fundraising is usually a form of “elder marketing.” Donors are overwhelmingly over age 60. If you want to reach them, here are some great tips from the Boomerang Blog, at Don’t Leave Them Behind: Writing And Designing To Truly Reach Older Donors: While these are all ways to connect better with older donors, they are…
-
How the generation gap is killing your fundraising
One of the main challenges in creating inclusive fundraising is the generation gap. Fundraising professionals are overwhelmingly under 40. Donors are overwhelmingly over 60. You don’t have to be an expert to know that communicating with people 20+ years older (or younger) can be a challenge. Here are some key differences younger professionals should keep…
-
I can’t believe what my mother-in-law just called me
Thanksgiving, many years ago. I was home from university, at my parents’ house for the holiday. A handful of relatives were there too, including my grandmother, long considered the master cook of the family. It was a Thanksgiving meal, with turkey and all the typical side dishes. My Mom worked frantically to pull it all…
-
How old are your donors? [PODCAST]
For most fundraisers, your donors are a lot older than you think. We’ll look at why this is so and what it means for you: How do you communicate with these people? About what? And in which channels? Knowing hold old your donors are — and responding appropriately — is the key to success in…
-
Fundraising and the overrated demographic
A lot of marketers see Millennial customers as a sort of gold rush. Last year, they reportedly spent 500% more on advertising targeted at Millennials than all other age groups combined. Do I detect some herd mentality? Millennials are better customers for certain things than others: Outdoor gear. Music. Electronics. But big picture? Not so…
-
The generation of donors you should be watching closely
To read a lot of the fundraising blogs, you might get the idea that there are two groups you need to even think about: Boomers and Millennials. Thinking this way just might scuttle your growth in the next few years, because there’s a whole other generation in between those two, and they are starting to…