A fantastic fundraising colleague, Lynne Wester, Donor Relations Guru, recently wrote a blog post summarizing the results of the Abila Donor Loyalty Study. It validates what most of us in nonprofit fundraising already know - that donors like to receive personalized … Read More
While you might be out there looking for your next major donor prospect, what are you doing to thank your CURRENT donors and inspire them to give again? The ones who give to you year after year? To me, that’s … Read More
Do you find it awkward to ask for donations? I used to feel that way too! Getting over the fear of asking for donations and gaining confidence is a matter of training and practice. If you truly have the passion … Read More
I get this question all the time from growing nonprofit organizational staff. “We send one appeal letter and a few e-mails at year end asking for gifts, is this enough?” “If we send more appeals, will we upset our loyal … Read More
Did you know that Network for Good estimates that 30 percent of annual giving occurs in December, and 10 percent in the last three days of the year? Those last few emails you send the last week of the year can … Read More
If you haven’t started thinking about crafting a killer year-end appeal, you need to start that now. Why? According to a study by Blackbaud, 17.8% of all 2014 giving happened in December! #Giving Tuesday is a big day, … Read More
(image credit: created by Vlad Schmeisser , included in “Tag, You’re It - Now Raise Us Some Money.”) “Send that appeal, and they will donate.” That’s like saying, “Build it, and they will come.” It worked in “Field of Dreams” … Read More
Two items came across my feeds recently, and I wanted to share them with you. They demonstrate what I call “The Power of One.” One person, or one group of people CAN change the world. The first was a video … Read More
If you are new to major gifts fundraising, I have a secret for you! After you’ve sent your fundraising appeal by mail or e-mail, wait a week. Run your loyal donors report from your database, and CALL them. That’s right, pick … Read More
Recently, I gave a seminar about special events to a group of nonprofit professionals. One of the questions asked was how to quantify staff time in the calculation of creating a successful fundraising event. Of course, staff time is important, there is … Read More