When it comes to fundraising, the assumption has always been that January would be a waste of marketing dollars. I made the same assumption, but then a few years ago I had an interesting conversation with a colleague of mine. Continue reading Be First in 2023! The Case for Fundraising Early.
You want to make an ask that encourages action. You want a “yes.” To get there, avoid a few common mistakes. Continue reading Avoid These 10 Common Mistakes When Making the Ask
In periods of high inflation or market uncertainty, donors of all demographics are likely to become more strategic about their giving. Help your organization navigate this economic instability with these tips. Continue reading Recession-Proof Your Fundraising with These 3 Proven Strategies
Storytelling is a powerful tool. In his 2022 series, “The Storytelling Fundraiser”, Dr. Russell James tells us that, “compelling fundraising story does something special. It leads to giving.” Here’s the one word you need to make your stories compelling. Continue reading This One Word Describes the Best Fundraising Stories
When a donor returns a reply device from your print mailing or downloads a digital guide from your website, you can make a connection. Knowing that your time is valuable, we’ve crafted starter copy for your follow-up. Continue reading How to Write a Donor Appreciation Letter
The American Council on Gift Annuities has released a new schedule of suggested maximum gift annuity rates for gifts established on or after July 1, 2022. Get all the details from our senior gift planning consultant, Lynn M. Gaumer, J.D.Continue reading [Special Update] New CGA Rates Released
Supply chain hurdles don’t define everyone’s decisions. Marketers who plan and remain flexible are successfully navigating this moment. Here are the secrets to their success. Continue reading As Supply Chain Woes Continue, Smart Marketers Are Doing This
Certainly, securing planned gifts is critical—and fundamental—to your nonprofit’s sustainability, but planned giving is also about cultivation. Here’s how successful programs measure ROI. Continue reading Yes, You Can Measure ROI in Planned Giving. Here’s How.
Have you ever heard the fundraising suggestion, listen your way to the gift? Today we help you avoid the critical mistake of rushing your donor. Continue reading The #1 Mistake in Fundraising Is…
At some point in your career, you’ll likely be working with a supporter who has just lost a loved one. It’s never easy to know what to do or say. For times like these, I offer a few helpful resources. Continue reading How to Share Comfort and Condolences with Someone Who’s Grieving
I wanted to bring your attention to two key resources. One can play a role in your donor-facing communication, the other can provide a foundation for the development of your nonprofit. I’m talking about the Donor Bill of Rights and the National Standards for Gift Planning Success. Continue reading Two Key Resources for Building Donor Trust
We hope these pivotal blogs of the past 12 months helped you navigate your fundraising programs and your donor conversations. If you missed a post, here’s your chance to see what your colleagues at other nonprofits were most interested in. Continue reading Best Blogs of 2021: Did You Miss Any of These?
Social proof has become the currency of marketing and it plays a powerful role in fundraising, too. Here’s how to use social proof in your next appeal. Continue reading Social Proof: Why We Look to Others to Tell Us How to Behave
The risks of not investing in a “thank you” strategy outweigh the typical arguments of no time, no budget and no ROI. Let’s look at a few key wins of saying thanks. Continue reading Does Your Fundraising Include These Two Powerful Words?
Consider this: Paper prices have gone up a little more than 25% since January 2021. We also know the supply chain is not a short-term issue. The following tips help you take control, today. Continue reading Why Is There a Paper Shortage and What Can I Do About It?
