Fundraising Tips Jared Lyons Fundraising Tips Jared Lyons

Do Direct Mail Campaigns Still Work in 2025?

When it comes to deciding which fundraising channels to pursue, many organizations have asked us in the last year if direct mail still delivers results in our digital landscape. According to the most recent data we have available, well-executed direct mail campaigns can still generate a positive net revenue—but what exactly does “work” mean for your goals? Is it purely about financial returns, or are you also looking for increased exposure, new donor prospects, or simply a donor touchpoint to keep supporters informed?

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Fundraising Tips Jared Lyons Fundraising Tips Jared Lyons

Debunking 4 Common Fundraising Myths

Myth 1: Smaller Nonprofits Can't Compete with Larger Ones

Don’t get us wrong, having more resources definitely helps. The size of an organization though doesn't necessarily determine fundraising success. Smaller nonprofits often have the advantage of closer community ties and the ability to create more personalized donor relationships. With focused and directed Major Gifts ($50,000+) strategies and the right leverage, small organizations can absolutely clean up in the fundraising space just as much as large organizations. From our experience, well-trained nonprofit personnel from small organizations can almost always compete effectively against larger, perhaps less nimble, entities.

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How to Craft (and Update) an Effective Case for Support

1. Start with Why Your Organization Exists

Your Case for Support should begin with a clear and compelling explanation of why your organization was founded and continues to operate. This is probably the most missed component that novice fundraisers will somewhat overlook and is an easy thing to fix. What specific gaps or needs does it address? What are the current circumstances of the constituency that you serve and why is this unacceptable? This foundational narrative sets the stage, providing donors with the deeper understanding and emotional gut-punch of the status quo. You are setting up your organization’s purpose and unique value in addressing very specific issues or challenges.

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Fundraising Tips Jared Lyons Fundraising Tips Jared Lyons

How to Maximize Technology in Fundraising for 2025

1. Implement Advanced Data Analytics (AI or Otherwise)

Utilizing advanced data analytics can transform your fundraising strategy. By analyzing donor data, you can gain insights into donor behaviors, preferences, and giving patterns. This information allows you to create more targeted appeals that are more likely to resonate with your audience(s). This can be as simple as dropping analytics into ChatGPT to analyze patterns and get high level feedback.

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