Our Best Practices.

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Here’s A Real, Live “Donor-Centered” Appeal Letter

You'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…

Step-by-Step Cultivation Moves for Your Major Gift Prospect

Donor Cultivation, Major Gift Fundraising

Try these cultivation moves with major gifts prospects. They can help build your donors' enthusiasm, engagement and gifts.

Top 10 Things to Look For in New Board Members

Board Development, Nonprofit Leadership

How do you determine who to ask to join the board of your wonderful cause? If you really want to enlist a Dream Team Board, look for folks with these qualities. And if you’d like a recruitment guide - you can use my 24-page Recruit Your…

How to Make Your Next Ask Practically Irresistible

Asking for Donations

The moment of truth in fundraising is the ASK. How do you know what to say and how to frame your ask? Finesse is everything in this dance with your donor. Here are some key pointers that can make the difference between your donor saying "yes"…

How to Stop Meddling Board Members

Board Development

Last week I heard two people suggest that many Executive Directors don’t really want their board members engaged. Why? Because they are afraid their board members will “meddle.” What do I mean by meddling? It’s when a well-meaning…

A Fundraiser’s Secret Weapon: Your Radar

Asking for Donations, Donor Cultivation

Last week's post on the "Fundraiser's Kiss of Death - Talking Too Much" generated lots of interesting comments. My readers all enjoyed the story of the donor visit that went sour. But here's the funny thing: Why was I consistently…

Do You Know the Four Parts to a Successful Elevator Speech?

Donor Cultivation

What's the purpose of your 30 second elevator speech? Is it to convey information? Is it to impress your listener? Perhaps to "sell" someone? I think most elevator speeches get it all wrong. The purpose is not to "pitch" someone. The…

Manifesto for a Fundraising Board

Board Development, Motivating Board Members, Nonprofit Leadership

Is your board ready to assume real leadership for your organization's future? If your board is ready to move from "managing" to "leading," here's a Manifesto for them to embrace. Wikipedia defines "manifesto" as "a public declaration…

How to Unleash Your Board Members’ Energy for Fundraising

Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising, Inspiration, Motivating Board Members

I had the pleasure of talking to the very smart and wonderful Michael Chatman yesterday on his popular live radio “Giving Show.” We were talking about my favorite subject – how to get board members fired up and active in fundraising. You…

20 Best Practices for Monthly Giving Programs

Annual Giving, Asking for Donations, Marketing & Communications

Do you want a fundraising strategy that creates ongoing predictable cash flow? One that is low cost, and returns a high RIO? That creates a wonderful prospect pool for planned and major gifts? That gets donors to quadruple (or more) their…

Add Surprise and Delight to Your Appeals. Like This One.

Annual Giving, Asking for Donations

I 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…

My Secrets to a FABULOUS Party!

Events

Lots of fundraising is built around socializing, isn’t it? Whether it's a formal fundraising event or not, we are often organizing large or small groups of people in social situations. So it's really important to know your social skills…

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