News

Creating the Right Campaign Mix

Just as the recipe for your favorite meal requires specific ingredients, an acquisition campaign needs detailed lists and segments that work together to create the best end product. At National Fundraising Lists (NFL), the first question we always start with is: “What is your goal?” Are you looking to reach a specific audience, test a n...

How to Make the Most of Your Bridge Experience: A List Professional’s Take

The 14th Annual Bridge to Integrated Marketing and Fundraising Conference took place at the Gaylord National Hotel & Conference Center on July 10–12, 2019. In line with this year’s theme, Change the World with Ideas and Ideals, the conference’s 80 educational sessions provided points of view on innovative approaches...

5 Key Takeaways from the American Museum Membership Conference

At the American Museum Membership Conference (AMMC) a few weeks ago, keynote speaker Colleen Dilenschneider from IMPACTS Research shared that although the U.S. population has grown by 7% in the last 10 years, cultural organization attendance is down by 2%. She also emphasized that museum membership professionals possess an awesome superpo...

Top 10 Tips for Improving your Acquisition Program

It’s the beginning of spring and the perfect time to start something new! Whether it’s learning to swim, ride a bike, or play an instrument, this is a great time to pick a new hobby or perhaps improve on an existing skill. Here at NFL we think it’s never too late to refresh, renew, and refine your acquisition program....

The Impact of Hurricane Season on Direct Mail Acquisition Prospecting

Last Friday, Hurricane Florence made landfall in the Carolinas. As Florence departs and many rescuers are still working overtime to help those affected, we are uncertain of the full impact of the flooding in its aftermath. On the fundraising side, many organizations that are directly involved in the recovery process are scrambling to raise fu...

Cooperative Database Modeling: Breaking Down the Myths

We all know how challenging it can be to convince your membership director or board that it’s time to explore something new. Over the last decade, cooperative database (co-op) modeling has become an integral part of acquisition strategy for many organizations. When it comes to acquisition, you’re probably mailing exchange and rental lis...

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): What You Need to Know

Direct response is notorious for its acronyms. A new one is being added to the mix next week. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) goes into effect on May 25, 2018 in the European Union (EU) and will affect data security and impose restrictions on how organizations collect and handle the personal data of EU residents. The GDPR wil...

Spring Cleaning Your House File

This year, we welcomed spring on the East Coast with a wintery mix. As most random thought processes go, the mess of rain, sleet, and general slush on the streets got me thinking about how it was the perfect time for spring cleaning. This further spiraled into thoughts of organizing my home, but instead of going down that rabbit hole, I decided it...

Utilizing Data to Drive Membership in the New Year

The New Year represents a fresh start, a time to set big goals. On a personal level I vowed to stock my fridge with healthy food and dust off my yoga mat. Professionally, I aim to share inspirational membership ideas and help museums put them into action. Whether large or small, when meeting with museum clients, data optimization is often the #1...

To Rent, or Exchange – That Is the Question

As list brokers and list managers, we are faced with this dilemma on a daily basis. And to answer this question, we need to start with the most important and influential list to your direct mail program: your donor file. Your file is not just a list of names and addresses of people who support your organization. It can give insight into the giv...