How I Launched a Capital Campaign with a Porch Party
Capital Campaign, Donor Cultivation, Friendmaking, Major Gift Fundraising, Porch PartyKickstart your capital campaign with a bang! A porch party is the perfect pre-launch donor engagement event to build excitement & secure early commitments.
How to Get in Front of Elusive Donors
Donor Cultivation, Major Gift FundraisingNeed help reaching elusive donors? Watch this video to help you learn the right strategies to find, target & increase donor acquisition rate.
We Had a Wealth Screening; What Do We Do Now?
Donor Cultivation, Major Gift FundraisingHave you had a wealth screening lately? If so, I bet you are asking this question: “How do I work with my screening data to find qualified donors who can make a significant gift?”
Nonprofit Nightmare: Fundraising Horror Stories
Donor Cultivation, Fundraising Plan, InspirationTo celebrate Halloween, we’re sharing our scariest fundraising horror stories! Read on, and avoid these nonprofit nightmares based on true events.
How to Have a Super Successful Visit with a Major Donor
Donor Cultivation, Major Gift Fundraising Major donor visits can be nerve-racking. Here you are with a golden opportunity—you've obtained a meeting with an important capital campaign prospect. It’s exciting but it is also high-stakes – because, of course, you want to…
Storytelling Tours Are Great Donor Cultivation Tools
Board Members & Fundraising, Capital Campaign, Donor Cultivation, Major Gift FundraisingOne of our favorite donor cultivation tools is a carefully-designed storytelling tour. But we are not talking about just any tour - this is a special, scripted, step-by-step tour. A Storytelling Tour can help you spread the word in your community…
How to Host a Porch Party, a Fun Donor Cultivation Event: Our Full Resource Guide!
Capital Campaign, Donor Cultivation, Events, Friendmaking, Porch PartyThis is our complete guide to a successful Porch Party, a donor cultivation event. Small socials can help build community support and engage new donors.
Top 5 Secrets to Make Porch Parties a Fundraising Winner Every Time
Donor Cultivation, Events, Porch PartyCasual, small social events like Porch Parties can be terrific tools for fundraising. You probably know that lots of fundraising can happen in a social environment. Conversations that happen socially can help you plot a path to an important…
Your Questions and My Answers on VIP Donor Cultivation Events
Donor Cultivation, Events, Major Gift Fundraising, Porch Party Small VIP donor cultivation events are an easy way to open doors to new prospects -- and engage current donors in your mission. My last Porch Party in April! Here are my answers to your questions about donor cultivation events such as…
The Right Way to Follow Up Your Social Events and Tours
Board Development, Donor Cultivation, EventsAnd one of the things people always ask is how to follow up friendmaking events that your board members will host. Plan your follow up ahead of time, or DON'T DO THE EVENT! We believe in two types of followup: First, the personal phone call…
Using a Feasibility Study to Close Major Gifts – Without an Ask
Capital Campaign, Donor Cultivation, Major Gift FundraisingAn expertly crafted Feasibility Study can open your donors' hearts and minds to wonderful possibilities your project will create.
Want to Know What Your Major Donor is Thinking? Try This Question!
Capital Campaign, Donor Cultivation, Major Gift FundraisingWant to find out what your donor is thinking? Ask them what they think or what are their impressions. It's our favorite Golden Question to ask donors.
Don’t Get Stuck in Endless Cultivation
Asking for Donations, Donor Cultivation, Donor-Centered FundraisingDon't get stuck in endless cultivation and let your donor's slip away. Move a donor from discovery questions right into a gift conversation.
Creating a Donor-Centered Case Statement
Donor Cultivation, Fundraising StrategyWe're sharing expert guidance on how to create a snappy, compelling case statement. Take a look and don't make the all too common mistakes.
The Fundraiser’s Kiss of Death: Talking Too Much
Donor Cultivation, InspirationLearn why it’s important to listen to the donor, rather than make a presentation. And why talking too much is a fundraiser's kiss of death.
How a Capital Campaign Planning Committee Develops Lead Donor Relationships
Capital Campaign, Donor Cultivation If you’re planning a capital campaign, you are very likely evaluating your fundraising potential. How much can you raise? Who will be your major funding sources? Would a Capital Campaign Planning Committee help you raise more? A…