Video Transcript I realize that thank you letters can be a little tedious, but thanking donors can be one key to your future fundraising success. I realize that’s a bold statement, but it’s true. Let me say that again: Thanking donors is one BIG key to your future fundraising success. A Thoughtful Thank You will Keep Donors Loyal Do … [Read more...]
3 Ways Prospect Research Can Help You with Year-End Fundraising
Bill Tedesco, CEO of Donor Search, was a huge help with the major gifts research project Dr. Adrian Sargeant and I recently completed. Bill has also been a great partner to the nonprofit sector, providing comprehensive, affordable donor research tools and technology. So I decided to interview him and provide some valuable advice to you … [Read more...]
What to do When a Donor Gives You BAD Advice
Video Transcript As you may know, there’s an overused expression in fundraising which goes: Ask for money and you’ll get advice and ask for advice and you’ll get money. I don’t love the expression, but its underlying message is important. It reminds us that it’s important to build relationships with donors before they invest, and one … [Read more...]
Do Fundraisers REALLY Still Need to Ask for Donations?
Last week I was speaking to a group of fundraisers in Erie, PA and one of them said: What you’re teaching is ‘old school.’ If you cultivate a person well, they’ll make a gift on their own. They don’t need to be asked. To put this in some context, we were talking about raising major gifts. One of his donors whom he knew quite well, kindly … [Read more...]
How to Secure a Donor Visit and Overcome Any Objection You’ll Get
Video Transcript Today’s question comes from Jon, an executive director at a health foundation. Jon asks: “What can we do to secure a visit? That’s our greatest challenge.” I love this topic, because fundraising is about relationships. And, if you can’t get a visit or “get your foot in the door,” you certainly can’t build a … [Read more...]
Scared by Year-End Fundraising? A Simple Year-End Fundraising Checklist
October is the month for ghouls, ghosts, and goblins, and with Halloween fast approaching, we also know that year-end is not far behind. That means we are approaching the height of the fundraising season -- the time of year when most donors give and charities raise the bulk of their donations. Every day from October through December, I … [Read more...]
How to Kill the Idea of Nonprofit Overhead
Video Transcript Nonprofit “overhead” is a hot button issue among donors and the general public. Unfortunately, many people “judge” a nonprofit based on how much they spend on overhead. I’m not sure why or how this started, but it has been perpetuated by the mainstream media, as well as certain websites that rate charities. Sadly it’s … [Read more...]
How to Raise Major Gifts – Even When You Don’t Feel Like It
I’m going to be honest... I really didn’t feel like writing a blog post today. I have a million other things to do and I didn’t get a great night sleep. I’m more than a little cranky. I seriously considered skipping it this week. Then I thought about what I teach in terms of raising major gifts... it’s all about sticking with … [Read more...]
7 ‘Year of the Board’ Posts Worth a Second Look
This week, Jewish people around the world are celebrating the highest of holy days, including the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). I mention this because when this post goes live, I will be sitting in temple with my family, thinking about the year behind me and the year to come. This is an important … [Read more...]
Board Members Should NEVER Ask for Money – Here’s Why
Today’s question comes to us from Angela and it’s a great question. Angela writes: The trouble that I have is getting past the 'I don't want to ask my friends for money' response. What else can I do to motivate those board members who aren't comfortable asking directly? Share it with others -- Today’s Tweetable: Change the … [Read more...]
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