Comments on: Does UNICEF’s Nickel Donor Acquisition Mailing Infuriate You?

By: pamela

pamela — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:58:43 +0000

I have just received Unicef’s nickel. Mildly irritated I am nonetheless contemplating becoming a global parent. However, a search to discover how much of my actual donation will be forwarded to the cause, rather than pay for fund raising has drawn a blank. Is there a site where I can discover the figure? For that matter, figures for any of the agencies I am considering…like Foster Parents Plan?

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:00:01 +0000

Organizations mail nickel packages because they work – statistically. Yes, a number of people will be infuriated by the technique, but many more will not. The reason many non profits are mailing nickels and pennies, etc., is because the changes in postal regulations made it impossible to attract a prospective donor’s attention using larger formats, bulkier formats, etc. Granted the cost of the nickle is a dead loss or an unavoidable increase in the package’s cost, but your estimate of a 1% response rate with donations is very, very low. On the other side of the coin, organizations that mail non premium letters with high production values are spending the same amount of money per package mailed. Why not chastise them for spending too much on nice paper stocks, closed face envelopes (match mailings)? Coin packages, like all premium packages, have their place in Acquisition and Donor appeals, but they are most effective when used in conjunction with a full complement of others techniques and formats.

By: Yvonne

Yvonne — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:43:30 +0000

I agree. I don’t understand this practice. The World Food Program did a similar mailer about a year ago, I was so upset, that I asked to be removed from their list. They still send me solicitations with different tchotchkes in the mailer. These communications make me think they really don’t need my donation.