List Brokerage

The Specialized Fundraising Services staff brings a wealth of experience to its strategic list planning and brokerage services. We work best as your marketing partner, helping to plan and execute your programs. Where appropriate, we work with your direct response agency to integrate list and creative strategies. Over the years, we have developed numerous tools and methodologies to maximize donor relationships and increase revenue. That is why most of our clients use our services exclusively.

Acquisition and Planning

Serving as your fundraising expert, Specialized Fundraising Services sets up a plan for soliciting donors or members. Using its vast direct marketing resources, SFS researches and tests new lists and negotiates deals on continuation lists.

For clients using our full range of services, we maintain a customized database of mailing results with our proprietary Solutions Toolbox ™, which is continually updated as new data becomes available. Through comprehensive analysis of all data, SFS can:

• Evaluate performance and select lists for upcoming mailings.
• Analyze continuation lists based on past performance – using historical trends from multiple mailings.
• Analyze performance based on specific packages being mailed in a future campaign.
• Analyze acquisitions based on seasonal performance of lists and packages.
• Forecast or project the next mailing’s outcome based on the latest performance trends.
• Manipulate the forecast model in numerous ways depending on client needs.

We use our forecast model to predict acquisition performance and aid in list selection. The model takes into consideration historical list results, merge, and retention rates as well as current list pricing, negotiated net name arrangements, and exchange relationships. Core lists are put into the model, and each list is evaluated to assure continued strong performance.

Next, test lists are selected. SFS makes its recommendations based on the performance of the core list categories as well as on lists that we know have performed well for organizations similar to yours. We continually test new list categories to widen the population available for acquisition. Because your core list universe will shrink over time, SFS continually searches out and recommends new sources of possible donors and members.

When the final strategy is approved and lists are ordered, we work diligently to assure adherence to your schedule.

List Clearances, Approvals and Negotiations

The list selection process begins long before the final mail plans are presented. As a first step, you and your direct mail agency must confirm a mail date and budget (or target volume). Based on this information, SFS will reserve mail dates on core lists to assure that mailings will meet your schedule.

The SFS team is highly skilled in net negotiations and securing special pricing deals. These arrangements result in substantial savings to you, meaning more funds are available to further your acquisition goals.

Our service staff expertly handles a variety of list issues, such as tracking, managing, and meeting delivery schedules.

Reporting and Analysis

Specialized Fundraising Services takes great pride in our reporting and analytical tools, which have been specifically developed and honed over the years to support all aspects of an effective fundraising donor or member acquisition program. All reports can be fully customized at no additional cost and can be made available on any schedule that most effectively meets your needs.

Please read more about our analytical services and reporting on the Solutions Toolbox™ page.

Working with several service bureaus, Specialized Fundraising Services is very adept at handling the merge process for clients as well, please read more about our modeling and computer services by clicking here.

Strategic Consulting

As your direct marketing partner, our goal is to assure the success of all your donor or member fundraising initiatives. To accomplish this goal, Specialized Fundraising Services can consult on any area of your direct mail acquisition program and work as a member of your organizations strategic team.

“To serve the non-profit marketplace by providing hands-on customer service, attention to detail, and expert advice that benefits and enables our clients to meet and surpass their fundraising goals. Commitment to excellence by going beyond the list.”

The Specialized Fundraising Services mission statement is a reflection of the company’s work ethic and objectives, and fits perfectly with the philosophy and objectives of our clients’ values. The secret of our success is working as an extension of our client’s staff to ensure each client’s goals are met according to their own individual objectives. Our client’s success is our success, and we do what is takes to get the job done!