Add Surprise and Delight to Your Appeals. Like This One.
Annual Giving, Asking for DonationsI 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…
5 Fundraising Mistakes We Make With Our Boards
Asking for Donations, Board Development, Motivating Board Members, Nonprofit LeadershipDo your nonprofit board members avoid fundraising? If your board members back off when they should be pitching in, this may be why! Don't make these mistakes that hurt, rather than help, our cause. Mistake #1: Thinking that fundraising is…
Why Did Doris Buffet Personally Answer This Fundraising Letter?
Asking for Donations, Marketing & CommunicationsYou won't believe it but my friend Jacqueline wrote a "cold" letter appealing to Doris Buffett - and Ms. Buffett actually responded with a PERSONAL phone call. And, ultimately she made a gift. When Jacqueline told me about this, I didn't believe…
14 Easy Ways Board Members Can Raise Money
Annual Giving, Asking for Donations, Board Development, Board Members & FundraisingBoard 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…
Show Me the Money: How to Move From Friendraising to Fundraising
Annual Giving, Asking for Donations, Friendmaking, Major Gift FundraisingIn 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…