Sanky Blog

Ever wonder if your fundraising email is just like direct mail but with an “E”? Industry experts – and resident Sanky gurus – Harry Lynch and Paul Habig will be addressing this timely question at the DMFA Luncheons in both Washington, DC and in Boston. On February 17th Harry and Paul will speak at the Lenox Hotel in Boston, MA and on March 13th at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, DC.

At these luncheons, you’ll hear about the remarkable similarities between email and traditional direct mail … and the profound differences. You’ll learn how some of your finely honed direct mail skills DO apply … but that your assumptions about what works and what doesn’t just might sink your online campaigns.

Paul and Harry will share tips and best practices covering email fundraising and answer your questions such as:

1. How do I build my email list?
2. How often do I email … and ask for money?
3. How do I measure success?
4. Is anyone really making money with email?

Paul Habig is Executive Vice President of SankyNet. Paul has more than a dozen years of Internet marketing and fundraising experience. He has developed multi-faceted online strategies for more than 50 non-profit organizations such as Covenant House, PetSmart Charities, and the Smithsonian Institution. Paul has held positions in Internet marketing, communications, and development for the YMCA, Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA), and Pontifical Mission. He also ran his own Internet consulting business working with clients such as Glacèau VitaminWater and SmartWater. He is a frequent speaker at DMFA and AFP workshops and conferences.

Harry Lynch is the CEO of Sanky Communications and SankyNet, a fundraising and communications agency devoted to not-for-profit causes throughout the U.S. In 1998, Harry directed the launch of SCI’s award-winning Internet marketing division, SankyNet, and continues to be actively involved in the creative and strategy for the agency’s 17 online clients such as the Northeast Animal Shelter, the Smithsonian Institute, Covenant House, and The Scripps Research Institute. He has served as President of the DMFA, Vice-President of the Greater New York Chapter of AFP, and Vice-Chair of the Association of Direct Response Fundraising Counsel (ADFRCO). Today, Harry is a Vice-Chair of the Board of International AFP. He is a frequent speaker at DMFA and AFP workshops and conferences.

Together, Harry and Paul bring nearly 40 years of experience to the podium in Washington, DC and in Boston. From the birth of online fundraising, to the ever-changing medium that has evolved over the last ten years, both speakers will share their knowledge of today’s best email practices. Join them on February 17th in Boston, MA or March 13, 2009 in Washington DC. To register, please visit the DMFA website.

With 44 million people navigating the maze of Medicare policy, The Medicare Rights Center turned to SankyNet to help them give their clients the answers they need.

Patients filing Medicare claims know how difficult it is to take full advantage of their benefits under the Medicare system. Many patients and caregivers depend on the Medicare Rights Center (MRC) to help them secure the quality care they deserve…and increasingly, their consumers want to find answers on the Internet. That’s why MRC partnered with SankyNet to create a new website rich with online resources and fully accessible to their target audience.

This project offered an exciting opportunity for SankyNet. Unlike many non-profits, who use their website as a communications and fundraising tool, the primary goal for this project was to create a website to serve the needs of the client’s consumers rather than their donors. After extensive research to identify the unique needs of MRC’s online audience, SankyNet began developing a fully interactive website. Our main objective throughout the design process was to ensure that visitors would be able to easily navigate the site and locate critical information.

Understanding Medicare is no simple task. Because many Medicare recipients need help understanding Medicare coverage, plan options, and enrollment issues, SankyNet developed a “Medicare Answers” section to address these important questions for MRC’s clients. “Medicare Answers” utilizes a series of crucial questions that link to answers via the Medicare Interactive Counselor, an independent, public resource from the Medicare Rights Center. This interactive resource is just one of the ways SankyNet addressed the unique needs of an online audience.

SankyNet also introduced a new section that not only keeps Medicare recipients aware of the issues that affect their Medicare benefits, but also helps them advocate for Medicare reform. The “Issues and Action” section gives visitors a detailed explanation of the challenges that the Medicare Rights Center confronts as they fight for their client’s rights — but also provides resources so that every-day Americans can advocate on their own behalf. These resources include statements from leading government officials, letters ready to send to both Congress and the media, talking points for speeches and presentations, fact sheets, and press releases.

During the website exploratory phase, SankyNet identified that a significant portion of visitors to the MRC site traffic are older adults. The importance of website readability is of particular importance to this audience. Older users often complain that they are unable to read web copy because of small text sizes and difficult color arrangements. To address this issue, SankyNet provided the MRC website with a high contrast viewing option that reduces eye strain by replacing light-colored backgrounds with darker colors. We also gave viewers the option to increase text size, making menus and articles easier to read. Spanish speaking visitors are also given the option of viewing certain key components of the site in Spanish.

Since 1989 the Medicare Rights Center has been working with older adults and people with disabilities to ensure access to affordable health care through counseling and advocacy, educational programs, and public policy initiatives.

Now, through their new website, the Medicare Rights Center can help even more people get the health care and medications they need and make the most of their Medicare rights and options. We invite you to visit this valuable online resource.

This year’s competition for the 2008 Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence was especially fierce – which is why we are so honored to announce that our 2007 Holiday campaign for Covenant House took first place for e-philanthropy!

Gold Award judges complimented us by saying that with compelling copy, heartfelt stories and a positive message rounding out the ask, our Covenant House campaign “really covered all the bases.”

Tim O’Leary, vice president of McPherson Associates, said, “this is how you run an integrated, online campaign. The creative was eye-catching and clean, [and] crisp images draw the recipient further into the body of the e-mails.”

At SankyNet we have enjoyed our relationship with Covenant House for over four years. We are honored and excited to share this wonderful award with them!