There are a lot of negative connotations associated with fundraising. And that strips it of the natural joy you should be getting as you're working so hard to make the world a better place. Negative Fundraising Language vs. Positive Fundraising Language One of the strategies I often use when facilitating a board retreat is to ask board … [Read more...]
Raise More by Asking for Two Gifts at Once
Has your organization received any planned gifts this year? If so, it just might be thanks to the hard work of one of your predecessors. The Smartest Fundraisers Ask for Two Gifts at Once Back when I started fundraising, big organizations had different staff members who were responsible for raising major gifts and others who solicited … [Read more...]
How to Ask Donors for a Gift: 4 Powerfully Authentic Scripts
One of the most terrifying moments for most fundraisers (staff members and volunteers) is asking for a gift. And yet, every fundraiser must request specific gifts if they are going to raise significant amounts of funding. Sometimes simply finding the right language for the right situation makes everything flow together. Before you ask … [Read more...]
Raise Millions, Even in Poor Areas: Tips from Sabrina Hernandez Walker
Sabrina Hernandez Walker raised millions of dollars for her Boys and Girls Club in the 3rd poorest county in the USA. If she can do it, so can you! I invited her to share her journey with you. Raising Millions: Building Relationships is Key Amy Eisenstein (AE) -- Sabrina, please paint a picture of the Boys and Girls Club when you first … [Read more...]
Fundraising Fundamentals: Major Gift Basics – Do You Do These 4 Things?
Recently I presented a webinar on how to raise major gifts during a pandemic. With nearly 500 people on the call, there was a wide range of experience and expertise among participants. And yet, after teaching major gift fundraising for more than a decade, people of all experience levels are most grateful when I review the fundamentals. This … [Read more...]
Back to Basics: 8 Fundraising Essentials to Live By During a Pandemic
We're coming up on one year since the WHO declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic. This past year has shown us, in an outsized way, that the basics of fundraising are still essential for success. Therefore, below is a list of my best “essential” reminders of what you should be doing to raise money right now -- pandemic or not. Back to … [Read more...]
6 Ways to Completely Sabotage a Major Gift
Most fundraisers, executive directors, CEOs, and board members are scared to death of sabotaging a major gift. So rather than taking the risk of asking for a gift, they often avoid asking at all costs. Of course, that’s the biggest risk of all -- not asking! The reality is that the fear of sabotaging a major gift is much greater than … [Read more...]
Top 5 Fundraising No-Brainers for Nonprofit Professionals in 2021
According to the Urban Dictionary, here's the definition for a "no-brainer": no-brainer -- noun -- something so obvious to be correct / appropriate, that it requires no contemplation to decide on. General No-Brainers for 2021 I put out a call on social media for 2021 no-brainers. Here are just a few of the responses I got: Wearing a … [Read more...]
Giving Out of Guilt: Good or Bad for Fundraising?
Do you “have to” fundraise? Or do you “get to” fundraise? And is there really a difference? I would argue, yes. There’s an important distinction between things you HAVE to do and those you GET to do. Fundraising and giving are two of those things where people straddle that line -- but shouldn't. Do You "Have To" Fundraise? People who … [Read more...]
The Easiest Thing You Can Do Every Day to Raise More Money
What's the easiest thing you can do every day to raise more money? Pick up the phone and call a donor. That’s it. Just one phone call. Every. Single. Day. It’s the easiest way to raise more money, and yet, so few fundraisers actually do it. It’s even okay to leave a message -- something you'll probably end up doing most of the … [Read more...]
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