Annual Giving refers to a philanthropic practice wherein individuals, donors, and alumni, make charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations to support various programs and initiatives. These fundraising campaigns aim to raise money for specific purposes, such as capital campaigns for building construction or renovations, endowments to provide long-term financial stability.

Find our articles about Annual Giving best practices below.

5 Tips for Making Your Donors Love You

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Your donor has just sent in another gift! Hurray! So you reply with a wonderful, personal thank you note. And then you call her to say thanks. In addition to the paper letter that you send. Then what? You have to communicate with her…

6 Steps to Creating The Fundraising Results You Really Want

Want mega productivity in the coming year? Want to raise as much as you possibly can? Then let's get cracking on your smart, systematic fundraising plan. I'm talking about a plan that gets everybody in your organization on board. a plan…

9 Point Profitability Checklist for Your Next Fundraising Auction

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There's nothing like an experienced charity auctioneer's coaching when it comes to a high-profit fundraising auction. And I was quite impressed with the tips that Sherry Trular of Red Apple Auctions shared with us this week in our  Highly…

How to Ask Your Donors for Feedback So They’ll Love You Even More

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Have you tried asking your donors for feedback? This is a huge new trend that smart fundraisers are spearheading. Why can donor feedback be so important?   How can you send communications to donors if you don't know if they like what…

How to Nail Your Online Messaging to Your Donors

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Kivi Leroux Miller of Nonprofitmarketingguide.com is one of the smartest communications gurus anywhere. What I like about Kivi’s approach is that she cuts to the chase - no fluff, no bull. It’s straightforward advice on how to shape your…

Five Ideas That Will Make Major Gift Asks Much Easier and More Successful

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We all know that fundraising comes down to one exciting, scary moment:  when you actually ask for support. This is when knees start knocking under the table, mouths get dry and suddenly words evaporate. But it doesn't have to be so awfully…

Use the MPI Formula To Thank Donors and You’ll Increase Donor Retention

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Here's a smart formula to use for ALL sorts of donor communications. Send this information to donors AFTER they give. And your donors will love you for it. Try using the "MPI Fundraising Formula" for your thank yous. What's the MPI Fundraising…

6 Steps You Can Take Today to Improve Your Donor Retention

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We all know that donor retention is where the easy money is for you, your team, and your organization. It's the key to sustainable fundraising for your organization.  Getting current donors to renew is far, far easier than bringing in new…

18 Tips to Create a Wildly Profitable Monthly Giving Program

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I am so impressed with the power of a monthly giving program. Here's why: It creates ongoing predictable cash flow. It's low cost and returns a high RIO. It takes your current donor base and pulls twice (or more!) as much funding…

Dump the Cliches: Words and Phrases Fundraisers Love to Hate!

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Wow, I hit a nerve last week when I talked about my Least Favorite fundraising words. For the record, my own personal award for most disliked word goes to "underserved." I think that word is a very lame effort to describe the wonderful people…

20 Best Practices for Monthly Giving Programs

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Do you want a fundraising strategy that creates ongoing predictable cash flow? One that is low cost, and returns a high RIO? That creates a wonderful prospect pool for planned and major gifts? That gets donors to quadruple (or more) their…

Add Surprise and Delight to Your Appeals. Like This One.

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I want to share with you my very favorite fundraising appeal that I've seen in a long time. It's charming, readable, and unusual. (click here to read the entire appeal letter.) Next time you are stuck for creative ideas, consider heading…

14 Easy Ways Board Members Can Raise Money

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Board members can be enthusiastic fundraisers if you make it easy for them. Here are 14 examples of very specific natural, comfortable formats for asking. It's so helpful to board members when we can show them easy ways to make the ask. Offer…

Five Tips for Overcoming Fundraising Fears

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Ok, we've all been there...Fundraising fears. You know what you need to be doing. . .  but you just -- you just -- you just -- manage to find something else to focus on that's lots more interesting and certainly less dreadful. There's that…

Show Me the Money: How to Move From Friendraising to Fundraising

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In my regular column I write for the Guidestar newsletter, a smart reader sent me the $64,000 question: "All your talk about "friendraising" is great, but show me the money! My organization needs funding right now!" You're exactly right to focus…