It all started when I recently read the famous quote: Resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. The quote is attributed to several people. I’m not sure why it struck a chord with me, but I immediately thought -- that applies to fundraisers. It reminded me of a fundraiser named Nancy. I was speaking to … [Read more...]
Year-End Inspiration Grab Bag for Major Gift Fundraisers
One of my many Covid-era projects included cleaning out my office. In the process, I’ve come across lots of notebooks and post-its -- little nuggets of inspiration and wisdom -- from the past decade. In an effort to help you start off the New Year on a high note, I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you. So grab a sharpie and jot a … [Read more...]
6 Definitive Fundraising Trends to Follow in 2022
As we approach the final weeks of 2021, it’s important to reflect on how your fundraising went this past year and what you might do differently in the coming year. You know the definition of insanity -- doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Likewise, the expression, "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it." Your job … [Read more...]
6 Tips to Raise More Year-End Money in Just 4 Weeks
New Year’s Eve is just a few short weeks away, but you still have time to raise more money for your nonprofit this year. More donations are given to charity at this time of year than any other time, so it’s not time to rest yet. As a development professional, your chance for vacation will come after the New Year, not during the “busy … [Read more...]
Ditch Black Friday and Cyber Monday for #GivingTuesday
I have an interesting thought experiment for you… Imagine a world in which Time Square is plastered with the logos of nonprofit organizations as opposed to corporate brands. Where the ads between your favorite programs promote causes rather than products. Where the holiday season is a time to give to charities instead of buying the latest … [Read more...]
#ThanksForGiving: Expressing Gratitude to Donors and Volunteers at the Holidays
Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, which serves as a reminder to be especially thankful at this time of year. But sometimes it’s hard to be thankful when it seems like there’s not much to be grateful for. Maybe you didn’t raise as much as you hoped. Perhaps you have a sick family member, or you’re sick yourself. Maybe you’ve suffered a loss … [Read more...]
3 Campaign-Style Ways to Engage Donors BEFORE You Ask for a Major Gift
A common refrain in fundraising is how important it is to engage donors before asking for a gift. And yet, engaging donors is easier said than done. Engaging Major Gift Donors, Campaign-Style Experienced fundraisers know they are supposed to ask donors for advice. In other words, ask them for something other than money. Asking for advice … [Read more...]
How to Determine the Right Ask Amount for Each and Every Donor
Although you should be asking for major gifts all year long, Q4 is a prime time for raising major gifts. So, there’s no better time to think about how to determine an ask amount than right now. While there’s no exact scientific formula to determine an ask amount, below are some guidelines to help you start thinking about your ask amount in … [Read more...]
When to Take Risks: Is Your Nonprofit Penny-Wise and Pound-Foolish?
Is your nonprofit penny-wise and pound-foolish? What's your organization's risk tolerance, and when is it a good idea to take risks? This big-picture post provides the answers to those questions. Risk Aversion (i.e., The Path Untraveled) No doubt, you’ve heard the expression: It takes money to make money. But what does that even … [Read more...]
How to Use Your Database to Identify Your Best Donors
Your donor database can be a great resource if you know how to use it to identify your biggest and most loyal donors. How to Identify Your Largest Donors Finding your largest donors can be trickier than you think. You'll need to open your donor database and look at three key reports: Run a report of the largest single gifts given over … [Read more...]
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