Appeals

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BPAY and POSTPAY can easily be embedded in fundraising appeals

Bpay

As an Australian charity, it’s crucial to have multiple options for accepting donations from supporters. BPAY and POSTPAY are two popular payment methods used by many charities to raise funds. In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can use BPAY and POSTPAY effectively in your fundraising appeals.

BPAY

BPAY is an electronic bill payment service that allows individuals to pay bills, including charitable donations, directly from their bank account. It’s a secure and convenient way to donate, and supporters can choose to make a one-off or recurring payment.

To use BPAY in your fundraising appeals, include the BPAY details on your donation page, such as the biller code and reference number. You can also include this information in your direct mail appeals and email campaigns. Encourage supporters to use BPAY by highlighting its ease of use and security.

POSTPAY

POSTPAY is a similar service to BPAY, but it allows supporters to pay their bills and make donations through Australia Post. This payment method is particularly useful for those who prefer to make payments in person, as they can visit a Post Office and make a donation using cash, credit card, or EFT.

To use POSTPAY in your fundraising appeals, include the POSTPAY details, such as the biller code and reference number, on your donation page and in your direct mail appeals and email campaigns. Encourage supporters to make a donation using POSTPAY by highlighting the convenience of being able to pay in person, using cash or credit card.

Both BPAY and POSTPAY are reliable payment methods that are widely used in Australia. Including these options in your fundraising appeals will provide supporters with the choice to donate in a way that’s most convenient for them. By making it easy for supporters to donate, you’ll be more likely to receive more donations and reach your fundraising goals.

In conclusion, using BPAY and POSTPAY in your fundraising appeals is a great way to provide supporters with convenient and secure payment options. By including these payment methods on your donation page, in direct mail appeals and email campaigns, you’ll increase the chances of receiving more donations and reach your fundraising goals.

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Matching gifts increase the impact of fundraising efforts

Matching gift

Matching gifts are a powerful tool for nonprofit organisations to increase the impact of their fundraising efforts. By offering to match donations made by individual donors, organisations can encourage supporters to give more, increase overall contributions, and ultimately, achieve their mission more effectively.

FundraisingForce have written about this topic before to stress the importance of this funding methodology. The topic has been taught and written about a multitude of times include by the likes of Moceanic and others.

Matching gifts – more than double the donation

  • Encourages Increased Giving
    • One of the most significant benefits of matching gifts is that they encourage increased giving
    • When donors know that their gifts will be matched, they are often more willing to give more
    • Donors feel their gifts will have a greater impact, as they are effectively doubled by the match
  • Attracts New Donors
    • Matching gifts can also be an effective way to attract new donors
    • People may be more likely to give to a nonprofit if they know their gift will have a greater impact through a match
    • Individuals may not have given to the organisation before or may be on the fence about making a donation
  • Builds Relationships with Donors
    • By offering matching gifts, organisations can demonstrate their commitment to their supporters and build stronger relationships
    • When donors see that the organisation is willing to invest in their gift, donors are more likely to feel valued and connected to the organisation, which can lead to increased loyalty and future giving
  • Increases Awareness
    • Matching gifts can also help to raise awareness about a particular cause or organisation
    • When a match is offered, it can generate buzz, bringing attention to the organisation and its mission
    • This can lead to increased visibility and ultimately, more donations
  • Maximises the Impact of Gifts
    • Finally, matching gifts are an effective way to maximise the impact of individual gifts
    • When a match is offered, the impact of each gift is doubled, which means that the organisation can achieve more with the same amount of resources
    • This is particularly important for organisations with limited resources, as it allows them to stretch their dollars further and make a greater impact

Including matching gifts in charitable appeals is an important and effective strategy for nonprofit organisations. They serve a multitude of purposes. Organisations can achieve their mission more effectively and make a greater impact in their communities.

Christmas

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Salvation Army – first with their Christmas Appeal

My Mom always used to say it felt like Christmas came earlier each and every year. Each year I watch to see which non-profit organisation will be first to send their Christmas appeal. The Salvation Army is first with their Christmas appeal this year.

The Salvation Army appeal arrived on 1 October. For the fourth year in a row, Salvos are first in sending their appeal. In fact, I have did not receive another in the three weeks following the arrival of the Salvos appeal and none until early November.

Why does this matter?

Any charitable organisation which sends their appeal early allows for ample time to conduct further waves/follow up appeals. In fact, Salvos have allowed themselves nearly three months to measure, monitor, and adjust strategy. Charities that send their appeals in November (and, others in December) cut themselves short and do not allow much wiggle room to adjust their strategy should the initial wave not prove to be successful.

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Major donors should receive direct mail pieces

Snip20160516_13We have all worked for organisations where members of the major gifts team did not wish for “their donors” to be contacted via the organisation’s direct mail.

This is insanity. Here’s why:

  • With an average portfolio of about 150 people, it is unlikely, although not impossible, the major gifts staff person takes the time to have personal contact with the each person in his or her portfolio.
  • The only means the donor may hear from the charitable organisation is through direct mail.
  • The donor likely learns a good amount of information about the nonprofit organisation through the appeals.
  • The donors or prospects in the pool have not made this opt out request. Instead, the organisation staff person has made the choice for the donor.
  • Due to the lack of communication, it is likely the donor will feel “forgotten” or lose touch with the charity. If the charity is not in contact with them via direct mail, you can be sure another charity where they give a major gift is reaching out through the letterbox.
  • Opting to not send direct mail to people in one’s portfolio suggests the major gifts officer is not a team player and, in fact, suggests he or she considers direct marketing to be “dirty” or “junk mail”.
  • The donors and prospects in a major gifts officer’s portfolio are not their donors. These donors and prospects belong to the organisation.

I am not suggesting everyone in a major gifts portfolio should receive direct mail pieces. In fact, there will be donors or prospects who opt themselves out from receiving certain pieces of mail. We must abide by such requests. Your database will be able to handle opt outs and communications preferences in a sophisticated manner.

Staff creating blanket rules for donors is not smart. Instead, take the time to create a high dollar package. Work in concert with the direct marketing person on your fundraising team to customise the experience for the donor and be part of the appeal effort rather than work against.

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BPay and PostPay – underutilised in the Australian NP sector

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When I first moved to Australia from the US, some six years ago, I learned BPay was a key means to conduct financial transactions. In the US, we certainly conduct transactions electronically, but there are still many who pay monthly bills via cheque. In fact, I moved to Australia with my US chequebook in case I needed to send a paper check to a company in the US.

BPay and PostPay are options on just about every invoice I receive. We have grown accustomed to setting off payments to various suppliers each and every month (or as needed) using this convenient and safe method. People young and old use these methods.

Given the prevalence of BPay and PostPay in Australia, I am surprised by how few charities offer BPay and PostPay when sending appeals to constituents.

My assumption is PostPay is largely used by older generations who pay most bills using the service at Australia Post. I also assume BPay may be used by people of those same generations; however, likely not at such a high percentage of people who have grown up only knowing BPay.

Where are BPay and PostPay used in our sector?

BPay is offered by QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. Here is a sample of a recent appeal received from QIMR showing an option to make a gift via BPay. At QIMR, my BPay number is stored in their CRM and printed on all response devices for my convenience and to remind me that I may transact using this number.

QIMR BPAY

National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), likewise, offer BPay and PostPay and here is a sample of an appeal received from NBCF showing option for BPay. Like QIMR, NBCF store my BPay number in their CRM to use when desired.

NBCF BPAY

Your CRM ought to generate and store the BPay number for all constituents. At the point you add a new constituent to your data set, the BPay and PostPay numbers should be generated using a formula you create following the standards offered by your banking institution and by Australia Post. Thereafter, the BPay and PostPay numbers ought to be stored for use each and every time you ask your constituents for support.

Is your organisation using BPay and PostPay on your requests for money? What CRM do you use to generate and store the BPay and PostPay numbers? Are all CRM suppliers in the Australian non-profit space offering such functionality? Lastly, does your organisation have the functionality in your CRM and you are not using it? Let me hear from you by leaving a comment below.