No More Crisis Mode Fundraising
Annual Giving, Fundraising Plan It's fundraising planning season. And many smart fundraisers often step back in the summer months (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) when things are slower. It's a time when you can (hopefully) move out of the daily grind and take stock.…
#1 Tip to Snag Last-Minute Online Fundraising Gifts
Annual Giving, Year-End Fundraising Campaign Are you hoping to snag tons of last-minute online gifts? Here's my #1 recommendation to help you raise the most money this week. There's a lot of money at play for last-minute online gifts. Many donors will be inspired by the holiday season…
Your End of Year Giving Email Subject Lines (knock them off)
Annual Giving, Year-End Fundraising Campaign Are your fundraising email appeals ready and lined up for the last week of the year? Is your email subject line click worthy? It's not too late to tweak them and sharpen up your ask. Remember, as much as 10% of your ENTIRE ANNUAL giving…
10 Ways to Screw Up Your Year End Campaign
Annual Giving, Year-End Fundraising CampaignThere's nothing more important this fall than your year-end fundraising effort! Everybody's ramping up to reach their annual fund targets. October thru December is the time when many nonprofits will ask for and receive most of their contributions.…
3 Tips for Improving Your Next Fundraising Appeal Letter
Annual Giving, Asking for Donations, Marketing & CommunicationsCan you write an amazing fundraising appeal letter? It's one of the most basic skills for every fundraiser. But are you getting your letters right? Or wrong? Here's how to nail your next fundraising appeal letter: 1. Make it all about the ask. That's…
How I Saw the Light – Change Your Fundraising Communications Now!
Annual Giving, Marketing & Communications New options in fundraising communications and social media are literally transforming fundraising today. I admit, I was a bit slow to get with the program. And I’m willing to bet that any boomers on your team may be slow to get this…
Take Our Donor-Happiness Quiz
Annual Giving, Marketing & CommunicationsMr. Donor, How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I hope you are happy with my organization, Mr. Donor! I hope you will stick around and become a die-hard long term supporter! Your donors are your "money in the bank" because they are funding…
3 Quick Ways to Delight Your Donors for the Holidays
Annual Giving, Major Gift FundraisingThe holidays are a lovely time to send gifts and greetings to your donors. And I have a gift for YOU, my reader, this year! Here's my super Eggnog Recipe! right here! You’re probably planning to send holiday cards and/or gifts…
How to Create a Donor-Centered Appeal Letter by Writing With Love
Annual Giving, Donor-Centered Fundraising, Marketing & Communications Today we have a guest post from our next world-class webinar presenter — writer extraordinaire Jen Love of the communications firm Agents of Good in Ontario, Canada. Jen and her partner, John Lepp, have created some world-famous direct…
How to Turn Regular Donors into Monthly Donors
Annual Giving, Asking for DonationsMonthly giving is one of the great pots of gold for you and your cause. It's one of the best ways to grow more funding from your current donors, instead of having to beat the bushes for new donors all the time. Don't forget that monthly…
How to Promote and Close Monthly Giving In Your Fundraising Appeal Letters
Annual Giving, Asking for Donations Can you pull in new monthly giving donors from your regular appeal letters? Yes, you really can. It's actually quite easy to generate new monthly donors via your regular direct mail fundraising program. Today we have a Guest Post from…
7 Steps to Fundraising Success This Year: Strategic Tips for Your Board and CEO
Annual Giving, Board Members & Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Marketing & CommunicationsThe new year is a great time to take stock of your fundraising strategy. Here are my strategic tips for board members and CEOs. These will help build a well-oiled fundraising machine inside your organization - something we all want! 1. Go…
One Thing You Can and Must Do to Boost Your Year-End Fundraising Totals
Annual Giving, Asking for Donations, Marketing & Communications, Year-End Fundraising CampaignJust think, 30% of your entire annual giving will occur in December. AND 10% of your entire annual giving is about to come in the door the last 3 days of this month. So do I have your attention? Who is going to get your donors' dollars? Here…
The One Mistake that Hurts Fundraising the Most
Annual Giving, Board Members & Fundraising, Year-End Fundraising CampaignWhat is keeping you from raising the most money possible? Could it be that your own approach is holding you back? I have an idea for you - YOU might just be your own worst enemy. : ) This idea will help you make your job easier, more…
Phone Calls to Donors = Highly Profitable Fundraising
Annual Giving, Asking for Donations, Year-End Fundraising CampaignAre you afraid of telephone fundraising? It can be scary to pick up the phone to call a donor or a potential donor! Especially when it’s so much easier to keep your polite distance and send a letter or an email solicitation. But stop a…
112 Tips to Raise More Money by Direct Mail Fundraising
Annual Giving, Asking for Donations, Marketing & Communications, Year-End Fundraising Campaign Direct mail fundraising is a major workhorse for all nonprofits. And, yes, online giving and digital appeals are important - but donors pay far more attention to a paper letter that arrives in their mailbox. Here's a smart guide to help you…