In the February 09 edition of Pareto Talk, Sean Triner wrote about the important financial benefits of trading your donor lists with other charities. It’s a very simple and extremely cost-effective way of gaining access to potential new supporters.
Yet many charities are simply not in a position to take advantage of the lucrative reciprocal mailing services we offer. Why? Because the wording of their privacy statements stands in the way of them legally passing on their supporters’ details to other charities.
Sean’s article included an example of what a privacy statement that allowed for reciprocal mailing might look like. Here it is again, with a few tweaks that take into account feedback we have since received:
Finding more people such as yourself to help (xxx according to charity) is incredibly important. Occasionally we’d like to work with other charities who are involved in the environment, animal welfare, the arts, human rights, health and welfare, medical research or international aid. We’d like to allow them to write to you in return for them allowing us to write to their supporters. These charities would only keep your contact details if you respond to them. If you are happy for us to do this now but change your mind in the future, you may let us know and we’ll note this on your record. Alternatively, you may choose to tick this box now and we will not pass your information on to any friends of (charity name).
In the previous example Sean gave, it cited that details would be shared with ‘like-minded parties’. We’ve since been made aware this isn’t detailed enough, and the actual types of organisations need to be listed (as per the above example).
As you’ll be aware, it’s important that your mailings comply with the National Privacy Principles, so we recommend that you have your privacy statements checked by a lawyer.
In sum, make sure your privacy statement is compliant, is working for you and is not standing in your way of acquiring more donors.
For more about the dos and don’ts of list swapping, and how Pareto Fundraising can help you arrange your reciprocal mailings email us at canyouhelp@paretofundraising.com
