There’s a hotel in Hollywood where the rooms are dated, the furnishings are sparse, and the walls are bare. Its name is the Magic Castle Hotel, but it’s not a castle. It’s a 1950s converted 2-story apartment complex painted canary yellow. Next to its small pool is a cherry red [...]
Did you know as many as 81% percent of new donors don’t return to give again? And only 43% of all donors remain loyal? Do you know what your retention rates are or how to increase donor loyalty? The sorry state of donor retention has been a topic of discussion [...]
The most effective type of donor cultivation is a donor-centered approach. In this donor-centered approach, nonprofits seek to discover as much as they can about the potential donor. It's not wise to rush the discovery process. Like an onion, it needs to be peeled one layer at a time. So, [...]
“People do not give to the most urgent needs, but rather they support causes that mean something to them.” This is the key finding from a report done by the Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy at the University of Kent: “How Donors Choose Charities.” They begin their study from [...]
Does thanking donors really pay dividends? Yes! According to Penelope Burk’s 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 “faith-based fundraising,” 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 we’d 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 “Thank You Month.” 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 [...]