Sanky Blog

SankyDirect has a long history of helping health care organizations with direct mail fundraising. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with both Holy Name Health Care Foundation and the Lymphoma Research Foundation!

When Holy Name Hospital, which has brought quality health care to New Jersey for more than 80 years, needed to develop a new direct mail program, they knew SankyDirect was the company to call. Working closely with the hospital’s fundraising arm, the Holy Name Health Care Foundation, SankyDirect is developing a strategy to ensure Holy Name Hospital has the funds they need to serve their patients in the year to come.

A crucial part of SankyDirect’s strategy is to send a targeted mailing to past patients of the hospital, reminding them of the quality care they once received. Through encouraging patients to show their thanks by becoming supporters of the hospital, SankyDirect is developing a dynamic messaging strategy that is bringing a new voice to Holy Name Hospital’s direct mail program.

SankyDirect is also excited about developing a new direct mail appeal for the Lymphoma Research Foundation. The Lymphoma Research Foundation is the nation’s largest lymphoma-focused voluntary health organization devoted exclusively to funding lymphoma research and providing the public with critical information about the disease.

SankyDirect looks forward to working with both Holy Name Health Care Foundation and the Lymphoma Research Foundation, continuing our long tradition of providing direct mail fundraising solutions for the health care organizations.

This fall, SankyDirect will begin working with Delta Society, a dynamic organization who passionately believes that people are healthier and happier because companion, service and therapy animals enrich and positively impact their everyday lives.

Utilizing 32 years of direct mail experience, SankyDirect will produce a series of fall renewals to encourage continued support of Delta Society. Additionally, SankyDirect will implement an acquisition element to this fundraising campaign. This strategic method of obtaining lists of potential new donors holds the promise of dramatically increasing Delta Society’s income for years to come.

After completing this fall campaign, SankyDirect and Delta Society will continue to partner in the coming year to produce a full direct mail program. Both organizations are excited about the potential this new relationship holds!

Together with a committed team of volunteers, Delta Society brings a variety of service and therapy animals into hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and schools. By encouraging positive interactions between animals and people, they advance human health and well-being in the people they serve – the elderly, the disabled, schoolchildren, and hospital patients. Learn more about Delta Society at www.deltasociety.org.

SankyDirect looks forward to working with Delta Society, helping them develop a DirectMail program that is as dynamic as their mission.

For three days in April, approximately 4,000 fundraising executives, nonprofit CEOs, volunteer leaders, and others interested in philanthropy will attend the 2010 AFP International Conference on Fundraising in Baltimore, Maryland.

As part of this prestigious conference, industry experts – and resident Sanky gurus – Harry Lynch and Paul Habig will be addressing the timely question, Is your fundraising email just like direct mail but with an “E”?

During their session, which takes place on Tuesday, April 13th, Harry and Paul will talk about the remarkable similarities between email and traditional direct mail … and the profound differences. You’ll also 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?

Harry Lynch, is the CEO of Sanky Communications and SankyNet, and is legendary in the Direct Marketing industry. 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 15 online clients. Harry has served as President of the DMFA, Vice-President of the Greater New York Chapter of the AFP, and Vice-Chair of the ADFRCO. Today, he is Vice-Chair for External Relations on the Board of International AFP.

His co-speaker, Paul Habig, who is the Executive Vice President of SankyNet, has developed multi-faceted online strategies for more than 50 non-profit organizations including Covenant House, PetSmart Charities, Freedom from Hunger, Cancer Care, Northeast Animal Shelter, Visiting Nurse Service of New York and the Smithsonian Institution. In addition to being a frequent speaker at DMFA and AFP workshops and conferences, Paul also serves on the board of the DMFA.

Together, Harry and Paul bring nearly 40 years of experience to the podium in Baltimore, Maryland. 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 Tuesday, April 13 from 1:30PM – 2:45PM.

To register, please visit the AFP 2010 International Conference on Fundraising website.

On Wednesday, November 11th, Sanky experts, Harry Lynch and Paul Habig will present at the New Jersey AFP’s Conference on Philanthropy. As part of this annual symposium, Harry and Paul will be addressing the timely question, Is your fundraising email is just like direct mail but with an “E”?

During their session, which takes place at the Hilton Parsippany, Harry and Paul will talk about the remarkable similarities between email and traditional direct mail … and the profound differences. You’ll also 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?

Harry Lynch, is the CEO of Sanky Communications and SankyNet, and is legendary in the Direct Marketing industry. 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 15 online clients. Harry has served as President of the DMFA, Vice-President of the Greater New York Chapter of the AFP, and Vice-Chair of the ADFRCO. Today, he is Vice-Chair for External Relations on the Board of International AFP.

His co-speaker, Paul Habig, who is the Executive Vice President of SankyNet, has developed multi-faceted online strategies for more than 50 non-profit organizations including Covenant House, PetSmart Charities, Freedom from Hunger, Cancer Care, Northeast Animal Shelter, Visiting Nurse Service of New York and the Smithsonian Institution. In addition to being a frequent speaker at DMFA and AFP workshops and conferences, Paul also serves on the board of the DMFA.

Together, Harry and Paul bring nearly 40 years of experience to the podium in Parsippany, New Jersey. 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 Wednesday, November 11th from 10:45am to 11:45am. To register, please visit the NJ AFP 2009 Conference on Philantrophy website

SankyNet is proud to begin a new partnership with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. Through proven strategic and creative services, SankyNet will help this dynamic group raise the funds they need to provide help and create hope for thousands of hardworking New Yorkers.

As a part of our new relationship with Catholic Charities, SankyNet will launch an online marketing and fundraising program that will both enhance Catholic Charities’ communication with their donors and increase their ability to raise funds during key times throughout the year.

In the coming months, SankyNet will have the opportunity to produce Catholic Charities’ inaugural e-newsletter, a monthly piece that will connect readers with the real-life impact of their donations. Through the newsletter, Catholic Charities will also have the ability to able to promote events, highlight fundraising opportunities, and advertise their weekly podcast to an online audience.

Additionally, SankyNet is spearheading an innovative four-season marketing campaign for Catholic Charities. This campaign will not only raise critically needed funds, but also raise public awareness about the issues facing struggling New Yorkers throughout the year.

Catholic Charities works to protect, feed, and support New Yorkers in need – non-Catholics and Catholics alike. This dynamic charity uses a network of administered, sponsored and affiliated agencies to deliver, coordinate, and advocate for quality human services and programs that touch thousands of lives every year.

SankyNet is excited to expand the reach of our services by helping Catholic Charities grow their fundraising and marketing efforts!

Visit the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York website to learn more about their work and mission.

Paul Habig, Executive Vice President of SankyNet, will be a special guest at the DMFA’s “Meet the Package of the Year Winners” luncheon in New York City. He will be accepting the top honor for this year’s best email campaign on behalf of SankyNet’s client, PetSmart Charities, Inc® — and joining other winners in a presentation discussing the key elements of each award-winning package. Attendees will learn how SankyNet used a powerful combination of timing and concise creative to develop an emergency relief email which raised substantial funds for the animal victim’s of 2008’s Midwest floods. Paul will also be accepting the DMFA’s Runner-Up Award for an email developed on behalf of Covenant House’s Bed and Blanket campaign.

Each June, members of the Direct Marketing Fundraising Association (DMFA) present their best direct mail and email fundraising campaigns for a chance to win the Package of the Year Award. This year, SankyNet submitted an emergency relief e-appeal on behalf of PetSmart Charities®.

We are pleased to announce that SankyNet’s appeal for PetSmart Charities® won first place! The winning campaign helped raise money for a massive rescue of pets displaced by the historic 2007 Midwest flooding.

A key factor in the success of this campaign was the timeliness of the distribution. SankyNet’s team was able to write copy, design and code a custom HTML template, and distribute the email within 24 hours of the story breaking in the news. Even as emergency relief was still arriving in the affected areas, supporters were responding to the call for help.

In addition to winning first place, SankyNet’s campaign for Covenant House’s Bed and Blanket Matching Gift campaign took the “runner-up” position. This campaign also used careful timing and highly compelling creative to increase response rates.

The campaign usually “drops” in early November and reminds donors of how dangerous winter can be for homeless children. This year, however, much of the country experienced unusually warm temperatures in late fall. SankyNet recommended postponing the distribution until the temperatures dropped. Then on the day most of the East Coast and Midwest woke up to its first frost, Covenant House donors found an urgent appeal about the dangers of freezing children in their inbox.

We are truly grateful to work with dedicated organizations such as PetSmart Charities® and Covenant House, and to help them achieve their online fundraising goals. These awards and honors are a testament to their inspirational and life-saving missions.

View all the DMFA awards from Package of the Year.

It’s with great pleasure that SankyNet welcomes UCLA to our list of clients. In the coming months, our creative team will work with this world-renowned university to develop an online planned giving campaign.

We are proud to be lending our many years of online fundraising expertise to one of the country’s leading public research universities whose mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation, and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. And through our partnership, we hope to help UCLA create a legacy for generations to come.

In recent years, SankyNet has helped many clients realize the potential of using the Internet to educate donors on the benefits of planned giving. And now more than ever, with increasing market volatility, it is important to let donors know that investing in the future of a non-profit organization is indeed a wise investment.

Please contact us for more information on how we can help you develop an online planned giving cultivation campaign for your organization.

Gilda’s Club Westchester (GCW) is a community of people whose lives have been touched by cancer…all types of cancer. And when they decided to fully redesign their website, GCW turned to SankyNet to help capture all the caring they offer members, and put it online.

Our goal was to create a website that was as inviting, warm and comforting as the actual “clubhouse” located in White Plains, New York. But at the same time, we wanted to develop a robust online resource for those currently involved with the organization, as well as those recently diagnosed with cancer and looking for help.

Gilda’s Club Westchester provides support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events for men, women, children and teens in a home-like setting. And SankyNet was determined to design a website that would allow visitors to quickly and easily learn about these valuable services.

The new site boasts features that include an expanded calendar of events, information about joining Gilda’s Club and a soon-to-be completed online forum. In addition, SankyNet paid special attention to optimizing the site for online fundraising – this increased revenue will help sustain GCW programs that are provided to members free of charge.

For those of you who know Sanky Communications’ history, our founder Sanky Perlowin passed away from cancer 25 years ago. At the time of her death, there was no Gilda’s Club. Today, we are truly proud to partner with an organization that provides a welcoming community of free support for everyone living with cancer.

We invite you to learn more about Gilda’s Club Westchester by visiting their new 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.