Good Works

Are you at NTC24 this week, either virtually or in-person? Drop into our sessions and say hi! 👋 We're super stoked to be in Portland, Oregon with all of you for the next few days and we're so ready to talk fundraising, legacy, and digital. 🎉

🧠 On Wednesday at 1:15 PM PT, join Holly Wagg for her virtual session, "The giving brain: The neuroscience of planned giving" to discover everything we know about your brain on legacy and how to activate it, thanks to brain imaging, psychology, and more.

🖥 Then, on Thursday at 10:15 AM PT, we'll be in-person for "Level up your planned giving: How to fill and cultivate your legacy pipeline", where Holly, Digital Fundraiser Marwa El Morsi, and Good Works client Caitlin Nicholls, CFRE will share a case study on digital legacy lead generation!

☕ Oh - and we'd LOVE to chat, grab coffee, or hang out between sessions with you. Send us a DM and we'll set something up!

Come work with us! We're seeking a Content Marketing Specialist to help charities seeking digital, direct mail, and legacy fundraising support, find us. Check out the job posting on our website for all the details, including application information.

JOB POSTING: Content Marketing Specialist - Good Works We're seeking a content marketing specialist to help charities who need direct mail, digital, or legacy fundraising support, find us!

“No matter what you’re testing to fix, make sure you’ve laid out what success looks like out of the gate.” - read more about the ins and outs of testing for fundraising (and getting results you can confidently rely on) in the latest blog from one of our resident experts, Account Manager Alison Turmelle:

Testing for fundraising campaigns: How to get results you can rely on - Good Works Strategic testing for fundraising is about figuring out what your end goal is first, and working backward to discover the tests to get there.

DEADLINE: here's your LAST CHANCE to sign up to participate in Canada's only Direct Mail Benchmarks report! https://forms.gle/y1MdPYFM8hSvvv8k8

By signing up, you'll receive all of the details, criteria, and timelines for the sixth annual Direct Mail Benchmarks report. https://forms.gle/y1MdPYFM8hSvvv8k8

When you send in your data, you're on track to get the FULL sector report, a bespoke report tailored to your organization, AND you'll be entered to win prizes for you and your team.

Sign-ups close TODAY at 11:59PM ET. Want to know what your organization could do with a wealth of direct mail data? Sign up to find out: https://forms.gle/y1MdPYFM8hSvvv8k8

The deadline to participate in the sixth annual All-Canadian Direct Mail Benchmarks Report is today!

If you’re wondering what it takes to get your charity included in the 2024 Direct Mail Benchmarks report – and get your very own KPI report as a thank-you – then sign-up right now! We’ll send you all the details, deadlines, criteria, and more. So, take the first step towards getting the low-down on the sector (and the perks) by signing up here: https://forms.gle/y1MdPYFM8hSvvv8k8

Our very own Holly Wagg is bringing her expertise to the Legacy Fundraising Virtual Conference stage!

You can attend Death, Grief & Legacy Giving: Working with Widowed Donors as one of the expert sessions this Thursday, February 15. It's an excellent opportunity to tap into a wealth of knowledge that will help you smash your goals.

Learn more and register: https://www.fundraisingeverywhere.com/product/legacy-fundraising-virtual-conference-2024/

Legacy Futures Fundraising Everywhere

Want to know how your direct mail program measured up last year? Here’s the thing – we do too.

Sign-ups to participate in the Direct Mail Benchmarks Report are open now! Register to get all the details on how to join: from deadlines to data criteria. If you share your DM results, you’ll not only get early access to the sector-defining report, but also your very own KPIs as a thank-you!

Sign up to get all the deets today: https://forms.gle/y1MdPYFM8hSvvv8k8

State of the Legacy Nation Report: A Closer Look at Will-Making and Charitable Giving in Canada | CharityVillage Good Works released the 2023 State of the Legacy Nation Report: A Closer Look at Will-Making and Charitable Giving in Canada, which delves into the legacy giving landscape and provides an analysis of the Canadian legacy marketplace data. The last State of the Legacy Nation report was released in 201...

Want to be a part of Canada’s only benchmarks report? Sign-up to get all the details on how you can participate (and get your own charity’s benchmark report as a thank-you)! https://forms.gle/y1MdPYFM8hSvvv8k8

All-Canadian Direct Mail Benchmarks are only possible thanks to charities – like yours! - who provide us their high-level 2023 results! You’ll be helping shape the fundraising sector, you’ll get the final report before anyone else, AND you’ll get your very own KPIs.

Sounds great, right? Sign-up today to get on the list to receive all the details to participate in 2024 Direct Mail Benchmarks, from deadlines to criteria to process: https://forms.gle/y1MdPYFM8hSvvv8k8

Our legacy giving experts Charlotte Field and Fraser Green will be hosting a live webinar on the 2023 State of the Legacy Nation– and you’re invited!

We’ll dig into how the marketplace has evolved since our 2019 report, explore the impact of COVID on will-making and bequesting, and answer any key questions you might have.

Register to join Fraser and Charlotte at the webinar on January 25 at 2PM ET: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8717050729669/WN_KmSomGuvT86EuBpN8GXhcA

Missed the report? Don’t worry: the State of the Legacy Nation 2023 report is available for download here: https://www.goodworksco.ca/research/state-of-the-legacy-nation-2023/

State of the Legacy Nation 2023 - Good Works Nearly 2M Canadians have either left legacy gifts to charities in their wills, or are likely to do so over the next 5-10 years.

If you’re asking, “What should I be doing at my organization to harness the power of legacy giving?”, our State of the Legacy Nation 2023 report has the information you need to make confident decisions for the future! Get the report here: https://www.goodworksco.ca/research/state-of-the-legacy-nation-2023/

The data tells a clear story: Canada’s legacy gift market is robust – and it’s evolving. We’re so excited to bring you all-Canadian data on the legacy marketplace as it stands today – plus our analysis about what it all means, where it’s going, and what you can do today to set up your charity for legacy success.

Download the State of the Legacy Nation 2023 today: https://www.goodworksco.ca/research/state-of-the-legacy-nation-2023/

2003 was the first time Good Works polled Canadians on their attitude towards gifts in wills and charitable bequests, and in his latest blog, Fraser tells the story. We have a lot to reflect on in those intervening 20 years – and not just that UGGs came in, went out, and came back in again – but that the landscape of legacy fundraising in Canada has dramatically shifted.

Ahead of releasing the State of the Legacy Nation 2023 (coming next week!), we had Fraser reflect back on 20 years of this work:

Reflecting on 20 years of legacy fundraising at Good Works - Good Works If you’re wondering how legacy fundraising has evolved and where the market is trending, this report is for you.

Storytelling is the most important way we humans communicate with one another. We use stories to inform, to entertain, to teach – and to persuade.

So, if your organization doesn't have a rich storytelling culture and tradition, how do you get started? Start up your very own fundraising story bank. Here's how: https://www.goodworksco.ca/building-a-story-bank/

How To Build A Fundraising Story Bank In 7 Easy Steps - Good Works Think of your fundraising story bank as an inventory of storytellers and stories that bring your organization’s cause and mission to life.

It’s that time of year we all prepare for and yet always seems to come too soon: year-end. In our latest blog, 8 of us provide our insights into how to make the busy season more successful, manageable, and grounded: https://www.goodworksco.ca/practical-year-end-fundraising-tips-from-our-office-to-yours/

Practical year-end fundraising tips from our office to yours - Good Works We got together as a team to share our practical year-end fundraising tips to help make your year-end a little less stressful.

Your integrated campaign is a puzzle. Each piece goes out into the world creating touch-points for prospective donors. So, why not consider your results the same way? After all, the big picture your puzzle masterpiece creates would be a lot harder to parse with pieces missing (the metaphor makes so much sense, promise):

Your integrated fundraising campaign puzzle and the big picture - Good Works Your integrated fundraising campaign is like a puzzle. Each piece comes together to create a big picture. The results for each puzzle piece may be in places you haven’t thought to look.

Have you recently run a Facebook campaign using a lookalike audience? Did it make you doubt whether or not they’re effective? No need to stress out, in this blog we’ll take a deep dive into the world of Facebook targeting: https://www.goodworksco.ca/lookalike-audiences-dead-or-just-misunderstood

Lookalike Audiences: Dead or Just Misunderstood? - Good Works Is it time to switch up your Facebook targeting strategies? The truth about lookalike audiences in 2023 and what you can do about it.

Anyone else see that busy season on the horizon?
When it comes to direct mail, we like to know what to expect of the costs in the months ahead. One of our print production experts sat down to give us his opinion on the state of production now and into the busy seasons:

Direct Mail Production: What Will it Cost this Busy Season? - Good Works Direct mail production has continued to endure a host of challenges, but there is space for cautious optimism.

Legacy giving is about connecting how someone wishes to be remembered to how their legacy gift reflects who they are.

So, how do you want to be remembered?

Read about one way to answer that question and make that connection for future donors: https://www.goodworksco.ca/the-5-word-legacy-what-are-your-five-words

2023 Direct Mail Benchmarks Report: Donor reactivation rate, integration benchmarks, and more! | CharityVillage Canadian fundraising agency Good Works has released the 2023 Direct Mail Benchmarks Report – the only report of its kind in Canada. In it, key data points from across the Canadian charitable sector are analyzed, clarifying the story of the 2022 year in direct mail and presenting key takeaways li...

Hey, 🎵does it almost feel like you’ve been here before🎵? We feel that way all the time, especially in our line of work. That's why looking back at what we've learned is integral to moving forward with confidence -🎵 it's an ever-changing time 🎵.

All those song references are to say that the Direct Mail Benchmarks Report is here to answer the deep questions about the 2022 year in Canadian direct mail. Get the report: https://www.goodworksco.ca/research/2023-direct-mail-benchmarks-report/

If you hit the gym to get stronger, you need to know one thing to start – your current abilities! What you can lift now is the benchmark you use to determine how much strength you gain over time. The same applies to direct mail fundraising.

If you can compare your key performance indicators to benchmarks in the sector, you’ll be able to know where you’re outperforming the sector – and where you’re falling behind. You need benchmarks to make sure your program is in top form. Your friends at Good Works are releasing the Canadian Direct Mail Benchmarks Report – the tool you need to get your program to its very best. Read our latest blog post to understand how to use the report when it comes out:

www.goodworksco.ca

Hey Good Works community and friends, we're holding a webinar! Behind the scenes we're putting the final touches on the latest Direct Mail Benchmarks report, and once it's out in the world we're going to dig into the findings. We can’t wait to share it with you.

Join us on May 18 to hear from this year’s report writer! Bring your best questions or just the capacity to listen - we're looking forward to sharing the information that can help fundraisers like you strengthen your direct mail campaigns.

Register today: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_K1Xqbxi-S6maMhvbZy2odw

We're hiring!

We're on the search for a Print Production Specialist to join our team. The ideal person is an expert in all things print, they thrive in bringing creative visions to life, and they don't break a sweat working with external vendors and suppliers.

This position is a fundraising consulting gig where you use your print expertise to guide the direct mail and legacy fundraising campaigns of Canadian charities alongside an efficient and fun team.

Learn more and apply: https://www.goodworksco.ca/print-production-specialist-13042023/

Applications close May 5!

JOB POSTING: Print Production Specialist - Good Works The Print Production Specialist role is a fundraising consulting gig where you use your print expertise to guide direct mail and legacy fundraising campaigns of Canadian charities.

Good Works is seeking an Account Manager to work closely with our charity clients to ensure timely and superior delivery of turn-key and custom consulting solutions.

We're looking for a project management wizard, an excellent communicator, a creative solution creator; could that be you? Learn more about the role below and send your application to [email protected]!

JOB POSTING: Account Manager (Annual and Legacy Giving) - Good Works is seeking an Account Manager (Annual & Legacy Giving) to work with our charity clients to deliver turn-key and custom consulting solutions.

We're on the search for the next Good Worker! 🙋

Are you passionate about ?
Are you self-motivated, curious, and opinionated?
Comfortable being called a project management wizard?
Can you magically conjure persuasive and compelling copy?
Like the idea of a fast-paced, highly flexible work environment?

If you answered, "Yes" to a few of those this might be the career for you.

We're hiring for an Account Manager position! Get all the details and learn how to apply at the link below.

JOB POSTING: Account Manager (Annual and Legacy Giving) - Good Works is seeking an Account Manager (Annual & Legacy Giving) to work with our charity clients to deliver turn-key and custom consulting solutions.

The deadline to sign up for Canada's only Direct Mail Benchmarks Report is on February 15. That's THIS Wednesday. So if you want in, time is of the essence.

It only takes a couple clicks and some data sharing for you to receive a report tailored to your direct mail data. Are you going to let a couple measly clicks get in the way of taking your direct mail program to the next level?

https://forms.gle/3GrhYz6nqMUJi13u5

We can’t wait to share the learnings with you!

Want to know how your direct mail program measured up last year? Here’s the thing – we do too.

Every organization that provides their direct mail data will not only receive the final report, but a second report tailored specifically to the organization!

Sign up: https://forms.gle/3GrhYz6nqMUJi13u5

The sign-up period ends Wednesday, February 15.

Calling all data nerds, fundraising fiends, and charitable sector experts: the 2022 Direct Mail Benchmarks research is underway!

Every year since 2018 we’ve put together the only Canadian direct mail report of its kind, helping you to answer the three big direct mail questions:
1. “How did my direct mail program perform last year?”
2. “How are my results in comparison to other charities like me?”
and most importantly,
3. “How can I convince my boss to give me a raise for being such a fabulous fundraiser?”

The more participants, the more DM data we’ll have: which means we’ll be able to deliver even more insights on how direct mail is doing in Canada. It’s a win-win-win situation. Participants also receive personalized results just for their organization.

Want to know how your Direct Mail stacks up? Sign up to participate: https://forms.gle/3GrhYz6nqMUJi13u5

This looks to be a pretty jam-packed, thought-provoking, daylong virtual fundraising summit organized by Tammy L. Zonker over at Fundraising Transformed (she's a speaker that we never miss when we see her on a conference schedule).

If you're wanting to put your thinking cap on early in 2023, this looks like a not-to-be-missed event.

A few weeks ago, I shared the exciting news about our first and free annual Fundraising Transformation Virtual Summit (aka TRANSFORM23) for you and 999 other fundraisers and nonprofit leaders across the U.S. and around the world.

We've put together 10 wow-packed sessions led by 10 visionary and inspiring speakers to help equip and empower you, and other fundraisers and nonprofit leaders everywhere to transform your fundraising in 2023 and beyond.

We're talking about:

- Understanding the science of how human beings form relationships to inform how we might build stronger, loving, and more fulfilling relationships with our supporters.

- Exploring the psychological theories of meaning and meaningfulness in the philanthropic context

- Identifying the key factors shaping philanthropy now, and how do they impact nonprofits?

- Discussing tangible principles and applications of AI in nonprofit fundraising

- How to incorporate cryptocurrency into your fundraising strategy

- Creating human connection across the digital divide

- Exploring several approaches to tell more ethical and equitable stories

- Understanding the unexpected forces that influence your donors

- Recruiting diverse members to your nonprofit board

- Exploring the divergent views of donor-centered fundraising and community-centered fundraising to identify the true hero in the nonprofit story

From inspiring keynotes and educational sessions to visionary thinking and the future of technology to transforming the world — it will be an empowering and inspirational gathering.

A high tide lifts all boats, right?

Please forward this email to all fundraisers and nonprofit leaders you feel could benefit from the forward-thinking education and insights that will be shared at this free virtual summit.

Oh, one more thing –

While it's free to attend, spaces are limited. So, save your spot now!
https://bit.ly/Transform23

With gratitude,
Tammy Zonker