Being productive and saving time are two of my favorite things - right up there with delighting donors and helping make fundraiser’s jobs easier. One of my favorite things to collect, next to drool-worthy fundraising examples, are timesaving fundraising tools. I recently did a webinar with my fundraising friends Rachel [...]
Proper donor stewardship is incredibly important for any nonprofit in the best of times — it makes your donors feel appreciated and engaged, establishes a stronger emotional tie with your organization and could make or break their decision to make another gift. In the worst of times — say, for [...]
You have almost certainly received an email that opens with some version of, “I hope this message finds you well,” or concludes with, “Hope you’re well.” Odds are, you have sent a few (or a few thousand) of these same messages to coworkers, donors, friends, and family. It’s a lovely [...]
We know there is no substitute for in-person communication. We know we can share our energy, passion, and dedication when we come together. That's why major Gift Officers (MGOs) run all over the country meeting with major donors. But it’s hard to have a life when you’re constantly traveling. You [...]
You know when you’re on an airplane and they run through the safety instructions? What do they tell you to do if you’re with small children and the oxygen masks come down? Put on your own mask first! You can’t help others unless you first take care of yourself. This [...]
Love it or hate it, whether you use it or not, the reality is that Facebook has changed the face of the world permanently. Whether it be connecting with friends and family, watching funny videos, or checking out news and causes, 2.9 billion people turn to Facebook monthly to get [...]
In today's digital-dominated world, personal touches like handwritten notes and phone calls can break through the noise. Though mostly anecdotal, top fundraisers and consultants have espoused the power of such personal touches, particularly the use of the phone. We even have some data to back it up: McConkey-Johnston International in [...]
Individual giving is the backbone of a diversified fundraising program, with over 70% of all charitable gifts made by individuals. And, major gifts are the ultimate in transformational engagement. What many may not realize is that major gifts can be done in any sized fundraising shop. The misnomer that you [...]
No doubt you know the donor thank you is important. You may not fully grasp how important. I’m here to tell you ‘thank you’ may be the most important element of your entire fundraising strategy. Let that sink in. Gratitude kick starts the process of building relationships and establishes trust. [...]
Just. What a loaded word. It implies something isn’t quite what it should be. Something is barely sufficient. It’s judgmental. And not in a good way. Do you judge your donors in this manner? If you’ve worked in fundraising for more than a nanosecond, I’ll wager you’ve heard someone say [...]
Just in case fundraising doesn’t have enough variables to manage, there are myriad of external factors, from changes in the economic or political landscapes to viral trends, which may impact your organization’s actual fundraising results. Even with a robust donor-centric organization, a dynamic, enthusiastic team and a solid, vigorous strategy, [...]
Statistically, only 30% of first-time donors continue to support a charitable organization. Nothing is more costly to your development efforts than a one-and-done donor. Effective nonprofit organizations recognize the importance of good engagement, with an emphasis on donors’ financial resources. Donor engagement that optimizes donor retention requires data and analytic [...]