Using Research to Raise More Money

When it comes to fundraising, we often strive to use storytelling and tugging of heartstrings to appeal to potential donors. But there is a science behind doing this well. Research conducted on effective marketing tactics and donor psychology are extremely beneficial to crafting communications that engage donors. When data drives our decisions we get better results – and our causes benefit.

Many consultants share what works for them, and often have helpful data they’ve been able to collect based on their experience. Think tanks, such as Rogare, the Fundraising Think Tank, also produce research and thorough leadership that can impact our work. These are helpful, but only part of what is available. Academia also has researchers with an interest in the nonprofit sector. Some, like me, pursued higher education and research careers because they wanted to understand and impact nonprofits’ ability to raise more money. But our research is often difficult for practitioners to access. 

Here are some tips on how to find and access these studies for yourself:

This piece was written by Sarah Willey for Nonprofit Marketing Guide. To read the full article, click here.