For just a moment, give some thought to this question: How will you be remembered? Sophisticated donors think about what type of legacy they want to leave when considering their philanthropy. If they have a family foundation, they may do a lot of thinking, talking and discussing what type of mark they want to leave on the world. These … [Read more...]
Listen Your Way to a Major Gift and Your Donors Will Give with Joy
Experienced major gift officers will tell you they listen their way to major gifts. Unfortunately, many development directors think the opposite -- that they need to talk their way into a major gift. What’s important to remember is that fundraising is NOT about convincing, cajoling or guilting your donors to make a gift. When Fundraising … [Read more...]
Thinking Beyond Cash: How to Ask for Blended Gifts
Major gift fundraising is about helping donors achieve their philanthropic goals. Of course, it’s about achieving your mission, too. But it’s important to remember the purpose from the prospective of your donor. And many donors would like to do more for your mission than they think they can -- which would, of course, benefit your … [Read more...]
How Raising Major Gifts is Like a Marriage Proposal… Slow and Steady
Heading into Valentine’s Day, there will be countless marriage proposals. However, most of these proposals will not be spontaneous -- they will be well planned, and carefully executed events. The “proposer” has probably made arrangements for a memorable occasion -- at a minimum, reservations at a favorite or fancy restaurant. It’s likely … [Read more...]
5 Years From Now: Looking into Your Future and Your Donors’ Futures
Recently I hosted a webinar called, How to Make Better Fundraising Asks… and Get Donors to Say “Yes”! (You can catch the replay here.) In the webinar, I talked about how it’s important for donors to feel great about their donations so that they continue to give again and again. As a fundraiser, it’s important for you to think about the 3rd, … [Read more...]
How to Best Engage Mid-Value Donors: Interview with Kimberly Blease
Interested in growing your mid-level donor income? Watch this interview with Kimberly Blease, VP of Client Relationships at Blakely, to learn how to best communicate with mid-level donors so they feel more involved and engaged. The full interview transcript (with minor edits for clarity) appears below. Mid-Value Donors … [Read more...]
Find Hidden Gems in Your Donor Database: Interview with Steven Shattuck
Who's hiding in your donor database? In this video interview with Steven Shattuck, Bloomerang's Chief Engagement Officer, you'll discover how to find all those hidden gems in your donor database. Here's what to look for... The full interview transcript (with minor edits for clarity) appears below. Finding Diamond-in-the-Rough … [Read more...]
The Easiest Way to Raise More Money: Give Thanks to Donors
During the holiday season, it’s only natural that you’re thinking about gratitude. And, there’s good news -- thanking your donors is one of the easiest ways to raise more money. That’s because how (and if) you thank your donors plays a large role in whether or not they give to your organization year after year. Whether you send a … [Read more...]
Is Major Gift Coaching Even a Thing?
A generation ago, coaches were primarily reserved for athletes. Today, they're still valued for teaching the technical skills of any number of sports, strength training, endurance, focus, and so much more. If you want to be a professional athlete or go to the Olympics, you need multiple coaches. Now coaching is becoming mainstream for all … [Read more...]
Foolproof Way to Make a Compelling Case that Keeps Your Donors Giving
One of the challenges you may face when attempting to raise major gifts is struggling to “convince” donors to give. In reality, you shouldn’t have to convince them at all... they should want to give! So how can you create a compelling case for support? You do so by writing a compelling case for support, which focuses on benefits, not … [Read more...]
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