Proof Positive:
Work that works
How’s the thinking? What’s the creative like? Does it get the job done?
Here are just a few of our success stories. And how we made them happen. If you’ve got a specific issue you don’t see represented, contact us. With over four decades of fundraising leadership, we’ve created winning approaches for all kinds of challenges. Maybe one a lot like yours.
Of course, that’s just the jumping-off point. The real answers we’ll find together.
proof positive #3: Direct Response Television
Operation Smile becomes a hit on DRTV.
Opportunity
Since 1982, Operation Smile has treated more than 120,000 children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities around the world. While their success stories are visually and emotionally compelling, they had never used the power of television to bring these stories to life. Here was a chance to greatly expand their donor base and increase first time gifts.
Approach
We wanted potential donors to understand the pain and suffering of a child born with a cleft palate—and that it could be corrected by an operation that takes as little as 45 minutes. A gift of $240 would enable a donor to essentially provide one complete surgery. That’s remarkable among the world of non-profit offers.
To present the real-life drama of Operation Smile, we sent TV actress Roma Downey and our crews on-location to third world countries to tell the heartwarming stories of these children. This enabled donors to see just how their gift would transform the life of a child.
Results
Our DRTV program for Operation Smile delivered better results than we could have hoped for:
• 1000% increase in their donor base
• First-time gifts of $240 over 50% of the time—a dramatic increase
• Six more DRTV shows continually building their donor base
• Overall long-term value of Operation Smile donors significantly higher
This has led to the development of short form English and Spanish spots for TV and online for Operation Smile. They were recently named the 2008 Nonprofit Organization of the Year by the Direct Marketing Association.