How (Bad) Marketing and Branding can Kill Your Fundraising
Donor-Centered Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Marketing & CommunicationsWHY do you have marketing, communications and branding for your organization? It's important to ask these questions: WHY does marketing exist? What is the purpose of our newsletter? What is the purpose of our website? What…
A General Unrestricted Ask is LAZY Fundraising
Asking for Donations, Donor-Centered Fundraising, Fundraising StrategyI’m going out on a limb here to challenge one of the oldest and most cherished fundraising habits in our sector. Not to fear! I’m also showing you how to take that general ask and make it sharper, more urgent, and more compelling. I remember…
#1 Strategy for Fundraising Appeals This Year: Make Your Donor the Hero
Asking for Donations, Donor-Centered FundraisingYou are planning those fall appeals right now, during the summer months. And it's time to start thinking about how you'll construct your appeal. Please don't make it the same old series of appeal letters. Please don't make your letter…
Use the MPI Formula To Thank Donors and You’ll Increase Donor Retention
Annual Giving, Donor-Centered Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Major Gift FundraisingHere'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
Annual Giving, Donor Cultivation, Donor-Centered Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Marketing & CommunicationsWe 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…
Newsletter Strategies That Will Open Donors’ Hearts and Wallets
Donor Cultivation, Donor-Centered Fundraising, Marketing & CommunicationsYour wonderful newsletter just may be a total waste of time. Even worse, it might be HURTING you and your cause. Why? Because it is boring! It may not be boring to you but it sure may be boring to the people you hope will read it. And boring…
How A Donor Communications Program Keeps Donors Giving and Giving
Donor Cultivation, Donor-Centered FundraisingAre you over-soliciting and under-communicating? The problem is - we solicit our donors often, probably way too often. But what happens with our donors in between solicitations? It’s called “communications,” says my friend Kivi Leroux…
Here’s A Real, Live “Donor-Centered” Appeal Letter
Asking for Donations, Donor-Centered Fundraising, Year-End Fundraising CampaignYou're probably working hard to create a donor-centered appeal letter for the fall fundraising season. But what does "donor-centered" really mean? What does it look like in action? We all know how it is supposed to work: We're supposed to…