Season’s greetings, friends. Have you heard of that ol’ holiday song, “The 12 Days of Amperage”? We’ve applied our own creative spark to the well-known English carol, and it’s a sight to behold in our animated video. Thank you for reading and working with us this year. It is our privilege to creatively move the […]
Nonprofits may run on passion, but behind every mission is a board of directors doing the quiet, unglamorous work of keeping the organization upright. Think of them as structural beams but with subcommittees. Strong board development and governance transform a well-meaning group of volunteers into a strategic force. Clear roles strengthen accountability and prevent the […]
For any industry, people make assumptions about how things work that escalate into full-blown myths. Not on our watch. Here, the Amperage Marketing & Fundraising team does a little myth busting for some things in our business. Branding Myth: Branding doesn’t impact the bottom line.Fact: A strong brand drives measurable results. Consistent, strategic branding increases recognition, […]
As we approach the critical year-end giving season, understanding donor behavior is essential for nonprofit fundraising. Recent insights by retail and e-commerce analyst Claire Tassin help do just that. Her article, Who Are Nonprofits’ Strongest Supporters?, published in Morning Consult Pro, reveals that while frequent donors form a reliable base, the real growth opportunity lies in converting infrequent […]
Marketing budgets are tight and time is limited, so it’s no surprise that our clients are wary of shiny new stuff like AI. Content demands keep increasing, though, and overwhelmed marketing directors often ask us: What is the value of AI in marketing? My short answer: It won’t replace the expertise of human marketers, but […]
It’s exciting! Your organization has an opportunity to grow by building or purchasing a larger facility, taking on a new program or service, renovating an existing space or … fill in the blank. Just think what you could do to further your mission, serve more people or fulfill an unmet need in the community. In a perfect world, when these opportunities land in a nonprofit leader’s lap, the organization already has project champions and donors ready […]
Strategic public relations is so much more than press releases and media pitching. It’s about increasing positive sentiment and influencing how people think and feel about your organization across all the places your brand shows up — earned media, your own channels, community engagement and internal communications. Simply put, PR is a long game that […]
What comes to mind when you think about strategic planning? Does it invoke memories of rich discussions of possibilities and dreams to invigorate your organization? Maybe you think of being relegated to a conference room for hours on end, justifying operational and program costs. These days, the traditional strategic planning workshop of the past is […]
The temptation to move media buying in-house might feel logical. On the surface, it seems like a way to save money and tighten control. In practice, shifting this work to your own team rarely reduces costs — or headaches. In fact, it can limit the effectiveness of your campaigns. Media buying is about more than […]
Lately many nonprofit leaders have asked me what to expect from the new H.R. 1 legislation signed into law on July 4, 2025. While there is some uncertainty around program funding and how nonprofits carry out their missions, there are also concerns about the impact on charitable contributions in the future. Like many others, I […]
In challenging times, I see clients cut their marketing budgets and even stop advertising. Often, the brand marketing strategy is the first thing to be shelved. It’s a business decision that ultimately is bad for business. Data from the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science show that when brands stop advertising, sales fall by 16% within […]
Over the past year or so, our Amperage team has heard concerns from nonprofit leaders citing uncertainties with the economy and how that may impact their fundraising efforts to support operations and growth. This has caused some organizations to hesitate to move forward with future projects, marketing initiatives or new fundraising campaigns. As such, the […]
Consumers are more skeptical than ever. They’ve been overpromised, underwhelmed and are constantly bombarded with marketing noise. That’s why trust has become the new currency of marketing and sales. No matter how good your product, service or offer is — if people don’t trust you, they won’t buy. And if they don’t trust you deeply, […]
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become integral to successful fundraising organizations' development plans and systems. What used to be considered dream capabilities for an organization like the ones I led are now becoming more of a necessity for any organization to become more efficient and successful in communicating its mission and needed support. Even small nonprofits […]
The short answer is: It depends. So let’s outline the influencing factors and break down the cost of rebranding an organization. What affects the cost? We start by talking about what’s motivating your desire to rebrand. Questions we might ask: Perhaps the most important influence on rebrand pricing, though, is the number of elements in […]
I have been in the fundraising profession for 25 years, and the one constant is that the nonprofit climate is always changing. Among the biggest changes are how funds are raised to sustain programs and initiatives. Direct mail appeals to mailboxes are joined by a combination of print, electronic and social media. Special events as […]
Amperage LLC has acquired Vernon Research Group (VRG), a nationally respected market research firm in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Vernon Research Group’s President Linda Kuster retired from the firm, marking the right time for a transition. Vernon Research Group continues to operate under the same name and remains in Cedar Rapids. Longtime VRG researchers Dr. Lori […]
We’ve rolled out our rebrand in recent weeks, and while our name hasn't changed, our brand identity certainly has and our brand story has evolved. New colors, new fonts, new shapes — all add up to a fresh, modern take for our legacy company. After nearly 30 years, Amperage has changed significantly. It’s time for […]
Amperage Marketing + Fundraising unveiled a rebrand that includes an evolved brand story and a new brand identity. The rebranding was the result of the creative team at Amperage turning their focus inward to advance Amperage’s brand. From a new logo and thoughtful colors to a new brand promise and key messaging, the rebrand carefully […]
Amperage Marketing + Fundraising celebrated a remarkable year working alongside our nonprofit partners. Our 2024 fundraising initiatives included numerous feasibility studies to help organizations test the potential of raising nearly $100 million in capital and endowment projects. These studies laid the groundwork for transformative campaigns, strengthening the missions and long-term impact of the nonprofits we […]
As we move into 2025, authenticity is set to be a defining factor in marketing success. In an ever-expanding AI-powered world, the challenge for marketers is to balance the efficiency and scalability of AI with the authenticity and empathy that only human insight can provide. Let’s explore the top marketing trends that will help brands […]
At Amperage Marketing + Fundraising, we believe fundraising is about creating meaningful connections and inspiring lasting support. Our unique blend of smart marketing strategies and fundraising expertise is proven to empower nonprofits, amplify their voices and drive real results.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has undeniably reshaped the marketing landscape, offering the ability to process large volumes of data, recognize patterns and generate creative content with impressive speed. Yet, while AI presents incredible opportunities, it is not a substitute for the human touch that adds authenticity, quality, empathy and emotional resonance to marketing strategies. The Vital […]
Achieving a strong brand focus requires careful planning and execution. Here are steps to help you achieve a more focused brand.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) makes a difference in communities. Amperage outlines its value and ways to implement CSR.
Joe Lock, President & CEO of Eastern Iowa Health Center, explains in a video testimonial the collaborative partnership and the strategic planning process that led to outstanding campaign results.
Marketing strategies for Generation Z and Alpha students require a new perspective. Learn how to connect with them for college recruitment.
Sustainable fundraising goes beyond just raising money. Consider these 5 strategies from Amperage for long-term success.
Discover top recruitment marketing strategies to boost your brand appeal, optimize your digital presence and attract qualified talent in today’s ultra-competitive landscape.
Watch this video as Todd Coleman, VP for Enrollment & Marketing, shares efforts that contributed to increased visibility and impressive results for Mount Mercy University.
Explore the key insights from the Giving USA Report 2023 and learn how to navigate the evolving philanthropic landscape. Partner with Amperage Marketing + Fundraising to amplify your impact and drive meaningful change.
Navigating marketing during an election year can be challenging. Learn 7 effective strategies to help your brand stay ahead.
Understanding Development Audits A development audit is a comprehensive evaluation of a nonprofit’s fundraising operations. This process examines both external and internal fundraising components, including annual, major and planned giving activities, stewardship practices, donor recognition, staffing, volunteer involvement, technology utilization and resource allocation. The outcome of a development audit is a detailed report highlighting the […]
Hiring a fundraising consultant can be a significant decision for your nonprofit organization. Amperage offers key scenarios when hiring a fundraising consultant might help maximize your fundraising success.
The healthcare landscape is in flux. Learn ways to be proactive with advanced planning for marketing for success.
Community relations is mainly about trust. Amperage Marketing + Fundraising helps clients establish trust in their communities through community relations practices.
Do you know who’s in your fundraising database? Amperage Marketing +Fundraising can help you determine who your prospects are and can assist your organization in developing a plan for engagement and building relationships.
Doing meaningful work with impact for clients who do good in the world fills our bucket! It’s one reason why diversity and inclusion matter to us. See how our clients and work reflect that commitment.
Amperage Marketing + Fundraising share steps to help your board members and volunteers feel more comfortable assisting in your nonprofit’s fundraising activities.
At Amperage Marketing + Fundraising, we can help your organization connect to female philanthropists by building a case statement or sharing a client story that encompasses donor emotion, empathy, expectation and perceived impact.
Your organization’s media relations success hinges on telling newsworthy stories, so what makes a story newsworthy? We’re here to share.
Join us in congratulating Rachael Holland on her promotion to Vice President of Growth at Amperage. With her focus on strategic growth initiatives, Rachael is poised to create long-term value for our teams and clients. We are thrilled to have her leadership driving us toward a successful future!
At critical access hospitals, small marketing teams have to maximize their impact. We’re sharing a few tips for that next marketing strategy to help save time and move the needle.
Watch the AMP UP Vodcast as our team breaks down the ads aired during the 2024 Big Game. Whether the commercials were funny, emotional, or somewhere in between, find out why some advertisers built up their brand, raised awareness, or missed their mark. Amperage hosts Bryan Earnest and Rachael Holland are joined by creative […]
In recent years, many nonprofits have experienced an increased need for their services or a demand to address important societal issues such as equality, food insecurity or mental health. Although there seems to be more of a public call to support nonprofits and social concerns, donors have become more selective in the organizations they support […]
The Art of the Ask: Writing for a Successful Fundraising Campaign Fundraising campaigns live or die over it: convincing people to invest large sums of money. Impassioned pleas pull on heartstrings and descriptions of your organization’s successes help tell your story, but crafting truly effective fundraising content requires a strategic approach with a hefty dose […]
Last year, Giving USA reported an increase in individuals making charitable gifts to nonprofit organizations through a family foundation or donor-advised fund established through a local community foundation or other entity. This shift in giving from individuals may require a different approach to cultivating, soliciting and stewarding gifts to support your organization. Seek The Right […]
