Asking for donations with ease... it sounds too good to be true, right? After all, asking for a gift is the most feared part of fundraising. Most development directors and executive directors I’ve met are afraid to ask. And I’d guess you’re (at least a little) afraid to ask, too. But in addition to being the most feared part of … [Read more...]
5 Things You Can Do NOW to Prepare for Year-End Giving
The time for year-end giving (i.e., fall fundraising) seems to come faster and faster each year. Back to school shopping ends and Halloween decorations line the aisles of your favorite stores. If you wait until Halloween rolls around, you'll have waited too long. So, carpe diam -- seize the day! The reason it’s so important to prepare … [Read more...]
10 Questions to Ask Donors BEFORE Asking for a Gift
You understand fundraising is about relationships. But building relationships with donors is easier said than done. One reason building relationships is challenging is that it's often difficult to get meetings with prospective donors. And you do need to meet with donors to learn about them and build the relationship. Another reason … [Read more...]
Let’s Get Personal – Getting to Know Your Donor BEFORE Asking for a Major Gift
Major Gifts are a personal affair. They’re not just responses to general appeals, special programs or online campaigns. Donors make major gifts because they feel passionate about a cause or organization ... AND they generally have a personal connection to that cause: They have a family member with cancer They grew up loving the great … [Read more...]
4 Risks You Can Take that Consistently Reap Rewards for Your Nonprofit
Risk is part of life. Unless you stay at home hiding under the couch, your life consists of one calculated risk after another. Risk is often more a perception than a reality. There are many people who are afraid of flying. Yet, you take a greater risk to your life driving on the NJ Turnpike than you do flying, and the risk isn’t even … [Read more...]
Myths and Misconceptions about Major Gifts: Interview with Gail Perry
Gail Perry and I met over a decade ago when I saw her present at an AFP conference. Like me, Gail is an expert in the areas of major gifts, capital campaigns (see the interview!) and board members. Visit her website for excellent tips on those topics. It’s always fun to chat with her and learn from her. Interview Highlights As … [Read more...]
Question: Should You Ask for a Gift on a First Visit with a Donor?
One of the questions I'm repeatedly asked is: Can I Ask for a Major Gift on the First Visit? This reminds of when I was a child and I would ask for something -- and my father would quickly correct my grammar -- you CAN, but you MAY NOT. As a child, I would sometimes ask something like, “Can I have a pet snake?” His immediate response … [Read more...]
Tales from the Crypt: Dead People Are Better Donors than Corporations
Today’s title might suggest morbidity, but actually it’s a tale of profitability. It’s a story about what happens to a donor’s money that isn’t spent during their lifetime. Let me start at the beginning. Dead People Give More than Corporations I get a lot of email from nonprofit consultants and professionals. My colleague, Carol … [Read more...]
3 Steps to Overcome Your Fear of Asking for Money
Are you afraid of asking for money? If so, this video is for you! This is a “from memory” summary of what’s in today’s video, not a complete transcription. So skim the text and watch the 8-minute video above for every tip and tidbit of information on the topic. The Fear of Asking for Money is Common Before I speak at a conference, … [Read more...]
Are You Using Donor Repellent? Don’t Make this Mistake with Your Messaging!
Donor Repellent ... you don’t want spray that on your donors! There’s one message that emits Donor Repellent big time, more than anything else. You’ll want to avoid that message, since attracting donors (not repelling donors) is your job. Desperation = Donor Repellent The Donor Repellent message is desperation. It’s easy to mistakenly … [Read more...]
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