FYI Blog

Avalon Reporting: Donor-Advised Funds

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) have been around for years. But the pandemic accelerated growth in this type of giving over the last two years. For example, Fidelity Charitable reported making donor-recommended grants totaling $9.1 BILLION in 2020. Are you ready to assess the impact of DAF giving on your fundraising program? This surge of giving from […]

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September 30, 2021

Avalon Demographic Reporting

There are so many data points nonprofits can track in their data. But not all metrics are created equal. You should focus your attention on information that helps further your understanding of your file. And that helps you act on that information. Here, we share what’s available in Avalon’s Demographic Analysis. Beyond standard demographics like […]

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September 23, 2021

Apple Privacy Update and Your Email Tracking

New iOS update and its impact on email tracking There are some upcoming changes to email tracking with Apple devices and Avalon is on it. Apple’s upcoming release of iOS 15 on Monday, September 20, 2021, will include the rollout of Mail Privacy Protection. This feature allows users to block tracking of email metrics like […]

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September 20, 2021

Repost: Future Fundraising Now- The shockingly high cost of “resting” donors after they give

Repost: Future Fundraising Now- The shockingly high cost of “resting” donors after they give by Future Fundraising Now on Scribd

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July 13, 2020

Yes, You Need That Matching Gift

Allison-PorterLike everyone in the industry, Avalon is in the process of analyzing year-end returns and assessing tests. One clear winner: the matching gift strategy.

We were surprised to get pushback from development directors last year—some wondered if the match is more trouble than it’s worth? Is it overused? Is it too gimmicky? The answer to these questions is a resounding NO. And here’s why:

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Including a matching gift offer amplifies your year-end giving. We’ve proven this time and again, but here are some of our most recent successes using a matching gift in year-end appeals: For one advocacy client, we mailed a test panel with no matching gift offer. The control with the match garnered a 37% higher response rate, 54% more revenue, and a 63% higher average gift. Online, this client’s matching gift email was the highest-grossing email—with the highest response rate—of its eight-email year-end series. The same results held for another client that received a last-minute match and used it successfully in a year-end email series.

One client had a slightly larger match to work with this year, which allowed us to set an earlier deadline with a portion of the match, and then extend it after the initial deadline. This strategy resulted in 39% more revenue than the previous year, raising 138% of budget. They’re starting work now on soliciting an even larger match amount for 2015.

A matching gift is a highly effective vehicle for engaging your major donors. Asking higher-level donors to pitch in to fund a matching gift challenge sends them a positive message about capacity building. It’s an opportunity for them to make a tangible difference and see exactly how their gifts impact your program. (Be sure to report back to your major donors with the rippling effects of their gifts on lower-dollar donors and the corresponding revenue.)

Other important points to remember for matching gift campaigns:

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January 27, 2015