Frequently Asked Questions

Why should non-profits use direct dialoguing as part of its fundraising approach?
There is much evidence - much of it collated by our charitable partners - that one-to-one fundraising like this is one of the most cost-effective methods of fundraising currently available, comparing very favorably with other approaches such as direct mail, telephone fundraising, press advertising, DRTV etc.

What are the benefits/advantages to charities of face-to-face fundraising?
The benefits are many and varied. Direct dialogue is extremely cost-effective, especially when compared against other forms of fundraising, such as direct marketing. Our nonprofit partners only pay for those donors successfully recruited and we provide a number of additional donors free of charge, to allow for possible attrition. It is also a very visible form of fundraising, helping to educate people on causes and campaigns. Face-to-face fundraising means charities secure committed donors who, research suggests, will give for an average of five years. Moreover, this approach has had particular success targeting a younger generation of donors, who respond better to this style than to other traditional methods such as cash collections and direct mail. Increased efforts are being made to build relationships with those younger donors, cultivating a bond that could be maintained for many years.

Street fundraising is costly for charities to employ isn’t it?
Not at all.  All charities have to invest in fundraising to reap their returns, and nonprofits use this approach because it brings results, both in revenue and in support.   In an average month, a charity might receive in income around five times that which is paid out in fees to the company raising the money for them. That is an extremely good investment. DialogueDirect offers a professional service from a trained, committed and passionate workforce. It is one of the best fundraising investments a charity can make. The American public will be pleased that any money they give which goes towards this kind of fundraising has an extremely good return. By multiplying the investment by five times there is no other investment that can offer such good returns.

Why should a City grant DialogueDirect permission to fundraise?
DialogueDirect is a professionally run organization, working with recognized nonprofits in the US, helping them to secure long-term donations for their causes. Our type of fundraising is an extremely successful and cost effective method of engaging new supporters and donors, and is done in a sensitive and responsible manner, using highly trained and knowledgeable fundraisers.  Without the access to potential new donors, these charities will not be able to adopt this unique and highly valuable income stream and will be forced to rely on more traditional and perhaps ultimately less financially-beneficial routes for its donations.

How much of the money given in the first year actually goes to the charity?
All the money pledged in donation goes directly to the charity, which in turn reinvests a small part of it in future fundraising initiatives.

How long are PFO contracts with charity clients?
The terms of a contract are confidential; however, their length varies from client to client according to the number of donors to be secured and the duration of a campaign.

Do your fundraisers declare that they are paid at the time of solicitation?
Yes, always.  Once engaging a potential donor in conversation, our fundraisers will always make their declaration stating their name, the company they work for, the charity they are representing and that they are being paid to fundraise on their behalf.  They also emphasize the fact that they are not paid on commission and that the donation should be given with a long-term view, to make it as cost effective as possible for the charity.

How long has street fundraising like this been around?
This fundraising approach was pioneered by DialogDirect in Austria in 1995 and has since spread globally. In the UK, DialogueDirect has been in operation for several years. DialogueDirect Inc opened in Philadelphia in the summer of 2003.

Why is this type of fundraising a good way for charities to spend their money?
This type of fundraising secures long-term donations.  Unlike most direct mail fundraising, coin collections, telemarketing, and charity shops, the aim of a charity's efforts to sign people up on direct debits is to make a 'friend for life'-- someone who will continually support their good work for many years.  Research shows most of them are younger than the typical charity donor and this is one of the only ways for charities to reach this audience.
      
Does it annoy people?
Street fundraising is the very sharp end of fundraising. Often, it is the only tangible contact members of the public will have with a charity. It is highly visible, occurring in public places. Some people object to this or any form of personal solicitation that happens on our streets.   Our fundraisers are trained so as be as friendly and helpful as possible. One must remember that it is only a matter of personal choice and if you do not wish to talk to our fundraisers, a simple “no thank you” will suffice.  Whatever form of marketing a charity employs, there will be some people who don't like it - but this is one of the most appealing forms of fundraising both to charities and to the general public.

Why don't charities do this themselves or use volunteers?
Because many have decided it is more efficient to work with a specialist company. A number of charities do run their own in-house teams to do this kind of work, but on the whole, the economies of scale of a company working with significant experience of running these of campaigns means charities can find outsourcing more cost-effective.