Remember dial-up? What Nonprofits Can Learn from AOL
I’m old enough to remember the early days of the internet and America Online (AOL). It was the go-to internet service for millions of people in the United States.
You probably have that sound going off in your head now. Sorry about that.
AOL made it easy to get online, chat with friends, and explore the new digital world.
Do you also remember all those AOL CD’s that installed the software on your computer? At one point, about HALF of all CD’s being manufactured were for AOL. It was their most effective way to get people to start using and sign up for their service.
That growth caused some problems. Sending more CD’s was more expensive. More people signing on meant adding more server capacity they didn’t need before. They needed more customer service to keep people as ongoing customers. On top of all that, they needed to look ahead so they could adapt for when the internet was more accessible and didn’t need to pay by the minute. Did you also forget AOL had a monthly fee and users had to pay by the minute?
What does this have to do with fundraising? Quite a bit, actually!
Just like AOL, we’ve seen many nonprofits start with simple, grassroots fundraising efforts that work perfectly in the beginning. But as your donor base grows, services expand, and your goals become more ambitious, the systems and processes that once worked well may start to feel a bit like dial-up in today’s world.
REMEMBER: Investing in your systems isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about good donor stewardship. Stronger systems mean better communication, more personalized engagement, and, therefore, deeper relationships with your donors. When donors feel valued and connected, they’re more likely to stay engaged and support your mission for the long haul.
So, what’s the takeaway? It’s never too late to invest in your infrastructure. In fact, you can use what’s left of the summer to spend time on it before the busy fall season arrives.
Ask yourself what parts of your development activities feel like it’s still on dial-up?
While improving your internal systems might not be the most glamorous thing in the world, it is essential for both short-term wins and long-term success. Look at where AOL is now.
And just so you know, we specialize in helping nonprofits evaluate and upgrade their fundraising including systems and processes. Whether it’s donor management, refining your campaign strategies, or creating donor stewardship policies, we’re here to ensure that your nonprofit doesn’t get stuck in the past.
In the end, just like the internet evolved from dial-up to broadband, your nonprofit can evolve its fundraising efforts to meet the demands of today and tomorrow.
All the best,
Kenny Sigler, CFRE