2025 DMFA Awards

Runner Up—Direct Mail Mid-Level

International Rescue Committee Package Creator(s): Faircom New York Package Name: ``Recovery & Resilience Response Fund`` Campaign
Description: This donor-centric, multi-tiered strategy transformed mid-level and high-potential supporters into champions of resilience, combining emotional storytelling and multichannel outreach to drive impact beyond a single crisis.

Winner—Digital Acquisition

National Audubon Society Package Creator(s): Stagecoach Digital Package Name: Annual Magazine Offer
Description: This campaign effectively combined smart segmentation, joyful creative, and an irresistible value proposition: give annually and receive Audubon Magazine for life. As a result, National Audubon Society saw a 500% increase YOY in new donor revenue and a 370% increase in annual donor revenue. This campaign is a powerful example of how recurring giving, when paired with tangible value and mission-driven storytelling, can deliver sustained growth.

Runner Up—Digital Acquisition

Atlanta Humane Society Package Creator(s): Faircom New York Package Name: February Giving Day 2X Match Digital Media Campaign
Description: This campaign demonstrated what's possible when strategic media buying meets compelling creative. With just $4,800 in paid social spend, this campaign reached over 63,000 people and yielded over $30,000 in revenue, a return on ad spend of 6.5:1. These results not only exceed industry benchmarks, they rivaled, and in some cases surpassed, the performance of more traditional fundraising channels such as direct mail and email. Please join us congratulating Atlanta Humane Society and Faircom New York

Runner Up—Digital Acquisition

Rutgers Cancer Institute Package Creator(s): TrueSense Marketing Package Name: Digital Acquisition Campaign
Description: This entry stood out for its thoughtful, strategic approach to digital acquisition -- guiding audiences from awareness to action with compelling storytelling, smart media choices, and a seamless user experience.

Winner—Digital Renewal

Human Rights Campaign Package Creator(s): Lautman Maska Neill & Company Package Name: November Digital Renewal
Description: This campaign set a new organizational benchmark, becoming the highest-performing renewal effort in HRC’s history. Thanks to strategic scenario planning ahead of the presidential election, HRC was able to launch just two days after Election Day with timely, resonant messaging and a compelling match offer. The result was a renewal campaign that not only responded to the moment but significantly strengthened donor commitment for the year ahead.

Runner Up—Digital Renewal

Return to Freedom Package Creator(s): Nexus Direct Package Name: Giving Tuesday Campaign
Description: Faced with an urgent capacity crisis, Return to Freedom turned a moment of need into their most successful Giving Tuesday campaign to date. They achieved a 164% increase in revenue and 40% more gifts than the prior year. These funds enabled the construction of 7 new shelters—just in time for the first storm—demonstrating the life-saving impact of timely, emotionally resonant donor engagement.

Winner—Direct Mail Acquisition

The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation Package Creator(s): MKDM Package Name: Ellis Island Museum Reimagined Acquisition #1
Description: This standout direct mail package captured the imagination of donors by connecting them with America’s immigrant history through a symbolic, tactile experience. With faux passport stamps, a timeline of Ellis Island’s legacy, and a compelling invitation to become a ‘Steward of the Museum,’ this campaign helped launch a new generation of supporters for one of our country’s most iconic historical sites.

Runner Up—Direct Mail Acquisition

The NYC LGBT Community Center Package Creator(s): CELCO and The Standard Group Package Name: Pre-Election LGBTQ Support Acquisition Mailing
Description: At a time of increasing threats to LGBTQ+ rights, The Center boldly launched its first direct mail acquisition campaign—and the results were striking. With a 1% response rate, the campaign proved that direct, inclusive, and mission-driven storytelling can break through. Join us in congratulating

Winner -Direct Mail Renewal

Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen Package Creator(s): Allegiance Group + Pursuant Package Name: October Thanksgiving Renewal Appeal
Description: This campaign stands out as a model of direct mail excellence, delivering both strong fundraising results and deeper donor engagement. Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen’s October Thanksgiving Appeal achieved a 15% year-over-year increase in gross revenue with a nearly 10% response rate.

Runner Up—Direct Mail Renewal

Dartmouth Health Package Creator(s): N/A Package Name: Lifesaver Decal Campaign
Description: Targeting non-event donors during a traditionally quiet fundraising month, Dartmouth Health’s Lifesaver Decal Campaign brought in $34,327 in August 2024—44% more than the prior year. This effort turned a slow fundraising period into a powerful moment of donor affirmation and renewed generosity.

Winner—Direct Mail Mid-Level

World Wildlife Fund Package Creator(s): Newport ONE Package Name: Northern Great Plains and Tribal Lifeways Appeal
Description: WWF took a bold risk by spotlighting the lesser-known Northern Great Plains, and donors responded. This beautifully crafted appeal achieved the highest response and revenue since 2022, proving supporters will champion urgent, underrepresented causes.

Runner Up—Direct Mail Mid-Level

International Rescue Committee Package Creator(s): Faircom New York Package Name: ``Recovery & Resilience Response Fund`` Campaign
Description: This donor-centric, multi-tiered strategy transformed mid-level and high-potential supporters into champions of resilience, combining emotional storytelling and multichannel outreach to drive impact beyond a single crisis. Join us in congratulating International Rescue Committee and Faircom New York

Winner- Stewardship

Doctors Without Borders (MSF-USA) Package Creator(s): Blue State Package Name: Every Second Counts
Description: This interactive cultivation launched a highly successful year-end campaign. This campaign did not directly solicit funds but rather encouraged donors to think about how MSF works and to prime audiences for future giving. It was highly successful in this goal: Approximately 3,000 supporters who engaged with this campaign went on to donate in the final days of the year, raising $326,000 across email, paid, and web, proving that smart priming pays off.

Runner Up- Stewardship

Baylor College of Medicine Package Creator(s): TrueSense Marketing Package Name: Ask Me About My Research Stewardship Campaign
Description: To attract donors during a slower fundraising time of year, Baylor College of Medicine focusd on stewardship. By spotlighting physician-scientists and cute kids, the Ask Me About My Research stewardship campaign achieved a 52% video engagement rate. Despite having no fundraising ask, the campaign inspired a $1,000 and converted a current donor into a monthly sustainer.

Winner - Multichannel

Jane Goodall Institute Package Creator(s): MissionWired Package Name: Jane's 90th Birthday
Description: By tying a $90,000 match to Jane Goodall’s milestone 90th birthday, this campaign boosted average gift size and achieved a 58% revenue increase over the previous year.

Runner Up—Multichannel

Reach Out and Read Package Creator(s): MKDM Package Name: Reach Out and Read 2024 Holiday Impact Prize Campaign
Description: By integrating direct mail, email, digital ads, and a storytelling-driven landing page, this campaign raised $703,000 in direct response giving and $3.25 million total to give kids books.