Hello and welcome!
My name is Bryan Miller and this is a blog where I share ideas and news related to all forms of digital fundraising and non-profit marketing – mostly internet-related, but occasionally mobile phone-based or involving the use of newly emerging digital channels to engage with supporters.
I originally began the blog back in June 2007 as part of Howard Lake’s fundraising.co.uk site. But over the months it took-on something of a life of its own and so at the start of 2008 I moved it to this location – although you can still read the latest posts on fundraising.co.uk too (as well as loads of other great news and information).
A quick bit of background on me – so you know where I’m coming-from – then you can go have a dig around the blog and see what you think… And please do leave comments if anything particularly sparks your interest.
After studying geology and then computing at university, I finally entered gainful employment back in the ‘80s at the computer and communications company Logica. After a couple of years of systems design and development I shifted across into the marketing team there, and have been involved in marketing – and more specifically direct and digital marketing – ever since.
A year spent with World Vision in the early ‘90s began my special interest in fundraising and, after some time at a specialist technology marketing agency working on brands like IBM, Canon and Compuserve, eventually led me to work for two fundraising specialist direct marketing agencies – The Domain Group, in Seattle and London (now called Merkle in the US) and then Whitewater in London.
In 2006, after six years as Whitewater’s Planning Director, I joined the London office of WWAV Rapp Collins (now called Rapp) as Planning Partner, working with a range of commercial and charity clients. A couple of years later I moved to Cancer Research UK, the world’s leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research and the UK’s largest fundraising charity, where I spent 15 months setting-up their central Strategy and Consumer Insight department.
Then, in late October 2009, I set-up my own marketing and fundraising consultancy company – called Strategy Refresh – working with organisations of all types and sizes to help them make better use of strategic thinking and planning (offline as well as online). If you’d like to hear more about the range of services I provide, then do take a look at the Strategy Refresh website or drop me a note.
I’m a regular speaker on consumer insight, marketing and fundraising strategy, and digital communications and fundraising at conferences across Europe, and occasionally also get around to writing articles and papers on much the same subjects.
So, that’s me. I do hope you find the blog interesting. If so, then you can subscribe to have the latest posts emailed to you as I publish them simply by clicking on the ‘Subscribe by email’ link in the right hand column of the screen.
And don’t forget you can easily add a comment to any post on the blog or, if you prefer, contact me directly using the form below:
Cherie McClintock said
Hi Bryan, I saw your talk at the IoF DM conference yesterday – as a former IT/new media design geek turned dm fundraiser it was very exciting seeing some of the emerging technologies and the potential / possibilities / challenges it presents us (avatars doing race for life?). Inspiring – thanks!
Geoff said
Hi Bryan!
You have a great blog here and I appreciate you covering the topic! Good stuff!
I just wanted to put a blip on your radar about ZoomGrants (http://zoomgrants.com). We are in the process of launching right now and with your interest in technology for nonprofits and philanthropy I thought you should be aware of it.
Take a look when you get a chance. I’d be curious to hear your thoughts about it if you have the time.
Thanks!
James said
Hey Byran, similar to Geoff’s comment, I wanted to put Thank Your Donor ( http://thankyourdonor.ca/ ) on your radar.
We’ve developed the site as a social portal for blood recipients to thank their unknown donors.
Hope it’s of interest to you and your readers,
Cheers
Sibylle Grosjean said
Thanks for the excellent talk at the ifc, very inspiring
Justin Wylie said
Hi Brian,
I’ve just started using your site. Its really fantastic and a great hub of info and clear examples of when digital giving’s worked – really helpful for us when exploring e-fundriasing opportunities from scratch. Nothing else like this out there.
Thanks, Justin
Marie-Christien said
Hello Bryan,
I am working at Play it Forward and read your article about our new initiative. Nice to read!
Thanks for your input and have a good year,
Marie-Christien
Viet said
Hi Brain,
Excellent site. Rare and highly useful content.
I took special note of your article featuring the soon to launch “Play It Forward”. Seems these platforms are fast gaining ground and that gives me confidence that my version of “Playing It Forward” may have some merit. I know one of the key selling points for these kind of sites is that you do all your giving in one place. Nevertheless, I believe a viable alternative is to develop a “digital giving” site of singular focus. For example one exclusively devoted to the Environment.
Curious if you would agree/disagree? Also, do you do any paid free-lance consulting?
Best,
Viet Gragg
Bryan said
Hi Viet,
Thanks for your feedback – really pleased that you find the blog so useful.
You’re right that there do seem to be a growing number of project crowdfunding sites like Play it Forward out there these days. Many of these do actually specialise in projects focusing on a specific cause – especially Overseas Development (think Kiva and GlobalGiving) – while only a few offer a full range of causes under the ‘all your giving in one place’ USP you mention (like Play it Forward). Well implemented, there are merits to both approaches – and it’ll be interesting to see which are most successful in the coming months and years.
Shawn Smith said
Hey Bryan,
Great stuff – have been digging for blogs on just this subject matter, and seems you have timely and interesting stuff on offer. Keep it up and look forward to reading, cheers,
Shawn
http://www.educationgeneration.org
Ellen said
Hey Brian,
first of all, thanks for your wonderful blog! To me, it’s one of my main sources of information for developments in the field of online/social network fundraising!
Next to that, I came across this nice site I thought might interest you too, it’s not social network or anything, but as far as online giving goes, I think it sure is an inspirational one! You can find it at:
http://www.donate-a-meal.com/
best wishes to you, keep up the blogging!
Ellen
Bryan said
Thanks Ellen, great that you find the blog so useful.
Thanks too for the pointer to the donate-a-meal site – really fun interface and the gallery of plates is a great donor engagement mechanism.
Ana said
Hi Bryan – I wanted to send you this site to check out – EXPLORE.ORG – it’s an online collection of professional films and photography that shows the impact of philanthropic giving and the efforts of non-profits worldwide.
There are hundreds of films, ranging in length from one minute video clips to longer pieces that uncover issues like domestic violence, environmental education, and pet therapy for disabled children. It’s a good source for people who are interested in all sorts of global issues and want to “meet” the people who are working every day on them. (Interviews with NGO leaders coming soon!)
Poke around and see if you think it’s interesting enough to post on it. You can always email me for more information on the project that’s not on the website…
- Ana
Beate said
Hi Bryan,
Thank you for a great presentation at the IFC Online conference just now, very inspirational:) My favourite part was actually your first slide; “we are all in the same boat” – far too many claim themselves experts on the new social media-arena when in fact we are ALL still learning. Very refreshing to actually hear someone admit to that, and that makes your good tips and experiences all the more believeable and valuable.
I wonder, are any of your slides available anywhere? They would be a great help in explaining the challenges to those “less online” within my organisation, and would be great for inspiring good strategies for how best to deal with, and get the most out of, this “new” world. I’d really appreciate if you would lend them to me (strictly for in-house use).
Thank you:)
Bryan said
Hi Beate, thanks for the feedback – really pleased you found the presentation useful. You should be able to view a recording of the session online to share with your colleagues – I haven’t seen it yet to know how well that has worked.
Alternately, I can post the presentation on the blog once the conference is over.
Enjoy the rest of the conference!
Bryan
Bryan said
You can also get the slides here http://bit.ly/SBCi4
Beate said
Thank you:)