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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…

Unleash Your Board Members’ Energy for Fundraising

Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising, Motivating Board Members

Do you want to unleash your board members' energy for fundraising? Fundraising is often a huge pain point with many nonprofit board members. And it's a pain point for many fundraising staff members too. Staffers all want to know "how…

Three Easy Secrets to Major Gift Success

Capital Campaign, Donor Cultivation, Major Gift Fundraising

Major gifts programs can become a money-raising machine for your wonderful cause. Here are three secrets that will dramatically improve your results from your fundraising activities and events. 1. Narrow, narrow, narrow down your focus. Restrict…

How to Screw Up Your Fundraising – Easy Steps to Financial Ruin

Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Inspiration

Could the greatest challenges to fundraising success be coming from INSIDE your organization? The nonprofit world has been abuzz recently about a disturbing report detailing many internal challenges facing many nonprofit fundraising programs. The…

Create a Donation Page that Rocks!

Asking for Donations, Year-End Fundraising Campaign

What would your donors say about your donation page? Especially here - right at the end of the year. And you are hoping, hoping, that plenty of online donations are starting to flood into your site. A recent survey found that 47% of people…

Count Your Blessings and Appreciate Your Donors at Thanksgiving

Capital Campaign, Major Gift Fundraising, Year-End Fundraising Campaign

It's the week of Thanksgiving here in the U.S. and we are counting our blessings. As you consider what you are thankful for, perhaps you might remember your DONORS - the wonderful people who make the work of your organization possible. I think…

The Grim News About Your Fundraising Strategy

Fundraising Strategy

I am usually the voice of cheer and optimism. But today I have to share some pretty bad news with you. And I hope (expect!) that it will be a serious wake up call to you and your board to fix your fundraising strategy. AFP (the Association…

How Do You Get Board Members to Understand Their Role in Fundraising?

Board Members & Fundraising, Motivating Board Members

Here's the pain point! Board members and fundraising. It's a perennial question that everybody asks. But you know what I think? I think board members exist in another universe than staff. It's sorta like parallel universes: board members…

5 Tips to Raise Much More from Your Current Donors

Asking for Donations

Did you know that you can shape your message in a way that will dramatically improve your fundraising results? HOW you deliver and shape your message has EVERYTHING to do with your fundraising success. We are tackling this topic this month…

Crafting Fundraising Letters that Resonate: Use Language that Inspires Action by Donors.

Asking for Donations

A couple of weeks ago I ranted about the “3 Most Boring Words in Fundraising.” My most boring words award went to “underserved, programs and services.” I railed against lazy fundraisers who use lame words and then expect donors to…

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