Direct Mail Archives - Spire2 Communications, Inc.

cropped image of Cal’s Angel’s direct mail campaign, with materials showing Bennet and his family.

Reigniting a Direct Mail Fundraising Strategy

Posted March 7, 2025March 10, 2025 Jeffery JamesPosted in Direct Mail, Fundraising

For the last four years, Cal’s Angels, a non-profit pediatric cancer foundation, has not used direct mail as part of their fundraising strategy. They hired Spire2 to help them re-engage this channel. Our multi-channel direct mail solution ensured that they would maximize their investment by increasing engagement in print and digital channels. We developed a […]

pages from Transforming Center’s Good Things zine

Leveraging attention in fundraising

Posted July 17, 2024July 23, 2024 Jeffery JamesPosted in Direct Mail, Fundraising, Print, Results

Being visible is just no longer enough. It’s all about leveraging attention. Non-profit fundraising is never easy, but the reality that non-profits are raising support from a smaller pool of donors who are giving more, is a reality that can’t be ignored. While I don’t have answers, what I do know is cultivating new donors […]

When more means more.

Posted July 10, 2024July 10, 2024 Jeffery JamesPosted in Direct Mail, Fundraising

Many non-profit still produce newsletters, but are frustrated or resigned to getting mediocre results. Some people think print is not effective in fundraising, but in 2023 our 8-page direct mail appeals for the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church on average generated 187% more than their standard letter-sized direct mail appeals. […]

Case Study: Increasing giving by 25% ($1.6 million) in just 12 months

Posted April 13, 2021July 11, 2024 Diane CodyPosted in Direct Mail, Fundraising, Results

The Challenge UMCOR, the humanitarian relief and development arm of the United Methodist Church, and its parent organization, Global Ministries, sought to: Increase philanthropical giving and engagement Retain and upgrade existing donors Bolster the affinity of existing donors with shifting allegiances Cultivate new prospects and donors The Solution Spire2’s mission-driven, donor-centric monthly marketing campaigns: Showcased […]

Rethinking direct mail in a digital age – super charge your next direct mail campaign

Posted July 30, 2020August 3, 2020 Jeffery JamesPosted in Direct Mail, Fundraising

Direct mail is a tried-and-true method for engaging with your prospective and current donors. With less competition in people’s physical mailboxes, it has proved itself resilient in the midst of the explosion of digital communication. However, it requires investment, good list management and a growing list. And like any communication channel — it requires frequency. […]

Case Study: Rethinking Print Strategy

Posted November 11, 2019November 12, 2019 Jeffery JamesPosted in Direct Mail, Print, Results

Doing the same thing – differently! This is not the end of the printed piece. Print pieces need to be evaluated and optimized for our digital world. I have been asked many times if it is wise to convert all printed communication to digital. The better question is what communication should I print? Print is still […]

What makes a successful direct mail appeal?

Posted May 21, 2019May 21, 2019 Diane CodyPosted in Direct Mail, Results

There are many components that make a year-end appeal successful — an engaged audience, a compelling story, an integrated approach, a motivating “ask” — to name a few. Many of these pieces can’t readily be cultivated overnight, which makes it all the more fruitful when you’ve done the work and can put all the pieces […]

Improving Direct Mail Response Rates

Posted October 7, 2016November 29, 2017 Jeffery JamesPosted in Direct Mail, Marketing

As more and more marketing has moved online, people have wondered if direct mail is still an effective strategy. The good news is that in 2016 direct mail continues to provide a solid ROI. Some even say its performance is improving as so many organizations ignore it. The truth is that the evidence supporting the power […]

Direct mail examples: Don’t wait till it stops working

Posted August 11, 2016November 29, 2017 Jeffery JamesPosted in Direct Mail, Marketing

I receive a catalog about every other month from Uline. I have ordered from them in the past and have had a positive experience, but my orders are small and infrequent. I always order online and rarely flip through the catalog. My only negative experience is that they keep sending me these huge catalogs. I hate […]

Direct Marketing Examples: Fundraising Mail Doesn’t Have to be Expensive

Posted July 1, 2016June 20, 2019 Jeffery JamesPosted in Direct Mail, Results

Many smaller non-profits think their list is too small to afford a direct mail campaign. Technology is our friend and now with proper planning it is possible to deliver a great fundraising appeal and get great results even if your list size is not large. This package not only looked great, but it succeeded in raising the […]