Have you ever asked for a gift, and then crickets? The would-be donor doesn’t get back to you for days, weeks, or even months? You’ve left messages and sent emails. You don’t want to bother them, but you could really use that gift. You’re not sure what to do. This scenario is more common than you might think. The question is, what … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Why Robots Make Bad Fundraisers
Robots Make Bad Fundraisers... at least, according to Steven Shattuck, Chief Engagement Officer at Bloomerang. And I agree with him. In his debut book, Robots Make Bad Fundraisers: How Nonprofits Can Maintain the Heart in the Digital Age, Shattuck makes the case for personalization, individualization, and using technology … [Read more...]
How to Introduce Yourself to Donors so They’ll Gladly Meet with You
The other day I received an email from a development director who asked: “How should I introduce myself to new donors?” She was talking about donors she'd personally never met with before. She went on to clarify her question: “How do I introduce myself so that raising funds is not somehow clouded in jargon or simply glazed over in … [Read more...]
The #1 Worst Habit of Fundraisers Worldwide – Break It
I’m working really hard at being healthy this summer. That means actually exercising and eating less junkfood on a regular basis. Plus, I’m in my mid-40’s. So, I figure it’s now or never. One of the “rules” I’ve made for myself is no eating after dinner. And yet, the other night, I found myself eating not one, but a second helping of … [Read more...]
Virtual vs. In-Person Solicitation: Predicting the Future of Fundraising
For the last decade, I’ve written, spoken, taught, and even preached about the benefits of in-person solicitation for raising major gifts. The success I'm seeing with virtual solicitations taking place these days has made me reconsider some of my own assumptions and question what the future of fundraising will look like. Of course, … [Read more...]
Fundraising Success Stories for Raising Money RIGHT NOW During COVID-19
Are you at an organization where you’re actively raising money right now, or are you taking a “wait and see” approach? We’re many weeks into the Covid-19 crisis, and I can’t believe I’m still having the same conversation with Executive Directors, day-after-day, week-after-week. Too many EDs still aren’t sure this is a good time to raise … [Read more...]
5 Great Examples of Electronic Donation Solicitations During Covid-19
Today I’m excited to bring you examples of electronic donation solicitations done right during the Covid-19 crisis. You’re really going to want to watch the 6-minute video, because it’s all about show and tell! A partial transcript appears below, with visual examples pulled from the video for reference. Example 1: Donation Frequency set … [Read more...]
Covid-19 Creates New Ways to Solicit Donors
One refrain that always made me cringe -- yet seemed so commonplace at many nonprofit organizations -- was: That’s the way we’ve always done it. And while I was the first to encourage the boards I worked with or the senior staff I coached to try something new, it seems I may have fallen into that trap myself. Covid-19 is a … [Read more...]
John Haydon’s Legacy: Improving Donor Retention through Donor Care
Unfortunately, I’m coming to you with some sad news today. This week, we lost a legend in the nonprofit sector. John Haydon lost his battle with cancer. You may know John’s work. He was a prolific writer, blogger, author, teacher, trainer, and speaker. John Haydon's Legacy: Donor Care If you’re not familiar with John's work, I have … [Read more...]
21 Ways to Thank Major Gift Donors: A Round-Up of Strategies
Expressing gratitude is the final stage of the fundraising cycle. It comes after the hard work of identifying and cultivating donors, and of course, asking for their gift. Step 1: Identification Step 2: Cultivation Step 3: Solicitation Step 4: Stewardship (gratitude) In other words, after a donor commits to a gift (donation), it’s … [Read more...]
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