Market Data: Non-Profits

April 8, 2008

• $248.5 billion — Amount of charitable contributions made by individuals, foundations and corporations in 2004 (up 2.3% from 2003, after adjusting for inflation).
Source: Giving USA 2005

• 35.5% — Percentage of total estimated contributions going to religious organizations, which is the largest proportion of charitable contributions. 13.6% went to educational institutions received the second largest proportion, followed by 7.7% to human services organizations.
Source: Giving USA 2005

• 28.8% — Percentage of Americans over the age of 16 who volunteered in 2005.
Source: National Center for Charitable Statistics


Of the numerous non-profit organizations in the United States:

• 50.7% are categorized as business, professional, labor or political (employing 38% of those in the general non-profit industry).
• 25.1% are categorized as civic or social (employing 36.7% of those in the general non-profit industry).
• 13.9 % are categorized as social advocacy groups (employing 14.8% of those in the general non-profit industry).
• 10.3% are categorized as grant making and giving services (employing 10.5% of those in the general non-profit industry).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

To Niche or Not to Niche?
Some promotional products distributors choose that path because it poises them as experts in a particular area.
If you’ve been in the promotional products industry more than a few months, I’m sure you’ve heard about the controversy concerning whether niching is good for your business. It is my goal to inform you of the opportunities of niching and how they may affect your business.
October 10, 2008

Growing Green
Effective marketing unlocks the profit in eco-friendly products and processes; here's how.
The worldwide "greening" of industries is not a passing trend, as social responsibility has become a mainstay in conducting business these days. Companies in the decorated apparel industry are doing their homework to properly educate and deliver green products and an eco-friendly philosophy to customers. But effectively marketing green products presents unique challenges for apparel decorators, so it pays to learn some green marketing lessons from the big boys.
October 01, 2008

Versatility Breeds Success in Wovens
Specialty detailing, functional features and washes give wholesale wovens advantages that rival those at retail.
The old saying, "You can't please everybody," doesn't apply to woven shirts in the wholesale apparel market. Today's wovens manufacturers offer an array of styles, fits and performance qualities to suit even the pickiest of customers. Specifically, in the corporate realm, these wholesale manufacturers have added specialty detailing that will allow custom decorators to give retail wovens a run for their money.
October 01, 2008

Thank You for the Opportunity to Correct the Problem
Understanding the basic rules of customer service can build customer loyalty and offer competitive advantage.
In case you haven’t noticed, customer service isn’t what it used to be. Enter a department store and you’ll be hard pressed to find someone to serve you — sometimes even to take your money — much less someone who’s knowledgeable enough about the product to be of genuine help.
August 12, 2008

Tips for Writing Great Proposals
Drawing up successful sales proposals requires a clear understanding of your client’s needs.
Many companies and their decision-makers require written proposals, and many salespeople shudder at the thought of writing one. However, writing a good proposal doesn't have to be painful, providing you keep a few points in mind.
August 07, 2008