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How to Create a Fundraising Action Plan for Your Board

Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising, Donor Cultivation, Major Gift Fundraising, Motivating Board Members

Board members are naturally nervous about fundraising. But there are ways to calm them down and make fundraising fun for them. No kidding! Here's how: set them up to do fundraising jobs that DON'T involve soliciting. Tell them…

Myths and Realities of Board Members and Fundraising

Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising, Friendmaking

How do YOUR board members feel about fundraising? Not enthusiastic, I'll bet! One of the biggest myths around is that board members should be willing and able to raise money. We wish! But here's the reality: Most board members…

Your Board Members Can Become “Door Openers.” Here’s How!

Board Development, Capital Campaign, Friendmaking, Major Gift Fundraising, Motivating Board Members

What would you MOST love your board members to do? Many nonprofit ED's tell me that - of all possible things - they wish their board members would simply open doors. That's all. Just open doors. But what happens when you ask board members…

Major Gift Prospect Visits: Your Questions and My Ruthlessly Practical Answers

Fundraising Strategy, Major Gift Fundraising

Visits with major gift prospects can be scary. How do you handle them? What do you say? Here are my answers to all your questions from last week's webinar: Q: What if your donor hijacks the conversation and you lose control? That will certainly…

Encourage Planned Gifts By Telling a Bequest Story

Marketing & Communications, Planned Giving

For the first time ever, I have a guest post today! I'd like to introduce you to Claire Meyerhoff, who is my favorite Planned Giving marketing expert. As owner of the PG Agency and Editorial Director at Planned Giving Marketing.com, Claire…

No Time for Planned Giving? Try These Quick Ideas!

Capital Campaign, Major Gift Fundraising, Planned Giving

I'm as fired up as I can get about something big these days: planned giving. I know, I know -- you've heard it before. "Jump on planned giving," the consultants say. "I can't," you say back. "I don't have the bandwidth." Okay, I get that. But…

Does Your Organization Really Support Fundraising? Take This Simple Quiz

Board Members & Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Nonprofit Leadership

Many organizations pay lip service to supporting their fundraising team, but end up failing miserably. Your board, your executive director, and your program and admin staff can undercut fundraising efforts easily. And in many organizations…

Five Clues Your Fundraising is Headed Downhill

Board Members & Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Inspiration, Nonprofit Leadership

Don’t we all want fundraising that provides reliable, consistent, revenue? Money we can count on year after year? But that kind of reliable success doesn't just happen. It takes serious work and commitment. And many organizations…

18 Tips to Create a Wildly Profitable Monthly Giving Program

Annual Giving, Asking for Donations, Marketing & Communications

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…

How Major Gift Fundraising is Like Being Mother of the Bride

Fundraising Strategy, Inspiration, Major Gift Fundraising

Being mother of the bride has been an experience in "letting go." And it reminds me of how I have had to "let go" with some major donor prospects. Because they just wouldn't, wouldn't focus on what I wanted them to fund! Let me tell you the…

Newsletter Strategies That Will Open Donors’ Hearts and Wallets

Donor Cultivation, Donor-Centered Fundraising, Marketing & Communications

Your 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…

Two Things Smart Fundraisers Always Do

Inspiration, Nonprofit Leadership

Fundraising can be a lonely business. You know it. And I know it. There we are – facing doubtful board members and CEO’s who think they know better than we do. And there we are -- trying to convince decision makers to follow smart strategies…

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