 âPeople do not give to the most urgent needs, but rather they support causes that mean something to them.â This is the key finding from a report done by the Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy at the University of Kent: âHow Donors Choose Charities.â They begin their study from [...]
Does thanking donors really pay dividends? Yes!  According to Penelope Burkâs annual donor survey, 90% of donors say that the thank you letter is the single most important and influential communication they ever receive from not-for-profits they support. In research conducted by Professor Adrian Sargent donors have a higher recall [...]
In uncertain times, organizations with a focus on both short and long-term revenue and resources experience less disruption of services. One way to ensure the longevity of your operation is to develop and execute a planned giving program for your organization. Giving USA reported 10% of 2019 giving in the [...]
Giving makes people happy! I want all nonprofit fundraisers to get this straight, once and for all. Never, ever feel bad about asking people for a charitable gift. Especially those who are already affiliated with your organization so you know they have a positive association with you. People are always [...]
When you hear the phrase âfaith-based fundraising,â you might immediately think of churches, congregations, and similar organizations. However, many social service nonprofits operate from a mission filled with faith, often representing collaboration among a variety of supporters, regardless of their particular religious affiliation. We spoke with several colleagues in these [...]
For most of us, 2020 is a year weâd like to forget, despite all the fundraising lessons we've learned. So much pain, loss and heartache. I hope when you look in the mirror and at your organization you see strength and pride. As hard as looking back can be its [...]
Okay, 2020 is over. Your year-end fundraising blitz is over. Now what? Do not simply take the money and run -- consider nonprofit gratitude. Think of January as âThank You Month.â Shower the donors you love with love⊠show them the way that you feel⊠things are gonna get much better [...]
The secret to fundraising success for any organization, especially during uncertain times, is to build and boost donor trust. Savvy donors are looking for ways to give, but they want to be certain that the nonprofits they are giving to are legitimate and that their donations are being put to [...]
As the town crier for donor love, I have a healthy obsession with donor stewardship. I love finding free and inexpensive ways to virtually steward donors with a personal touch. Why the obsession with stewardship? In a word: retention. According to the Fundraising Effectiveness Report, only 19% of new donors [...]
Before this crisis, I would have told any fundraiser the best way to build a meaningful relationship with your donor is to be meaningful to them.  Fast forward to today. Weâre in a global pandemic. Itâs terrifying, sure. There is a silver lining though (says the town crier for donor [...]
You know when youâre on an airplane and they run through the safety instructions? What do they tell you to do if youâre with small children and the oxygen masks come down? Put on your own mask first! You canât help others unless you first take care of yourself. This [...]
What about counting the ways for your donors this year? Or at least for a subset of your donors who have the potential to give you the lionâs share of your philanthropy? We talk a lot in the sector about donor love and gratitude, but how do we practice it? [...]