The alumni relations field today is in a good place: institutions have never been so consistently strategic, outcomes-based and intentional in their approach to alumni engagement. A growing business-oriented discipline toward strategy and programming has contributed to the rise in the stature of alumni relations as a more vital and respected institutional asset. Alumni professionals … Continue reading Alumni Relations Forecast 2020: Relevance Rules
Why sincere is better than clever
In this brilliant blog, Mary Cahalane shares mistakes she made early on in her career and what she learnt from them. Mary closes her blog with this brilliant quote, which I absolutely love...: "Writing to your donors isn’t about you or your organization. Writing to your donors is about your donors. "Give them a problem … Continue reading Why sincere is better than clever
The Twelve Appeals of the Year
This blog by Mark Phillips from Bullfrog Fundraising Limited was written just before Christmas but holds up just as well as we return to work in 2020 - an excellent time for a little retrospection. What are we proud of? What’s great? What (or who) has been a right pain? And how’s the fundraising profession … Continue reading The Twelve Appeals of the Year
Richard Branson’s most valuable tip for anyone who pitches an idea
Richard Branson needs no introduction and there is no doubt that he has heard thousands of pitches. What can fundraisers learn from Richard when it comes to us pitching to wealthy individuals? Richard states: "Throughout my career, I have heard thousands of pitches: formal business sit-downs, opportunist moments in elevators, and some very inventive incidents … Continue reading Richard Branson’s most valuable tip for anyone who pitches an idea
Disrupting the Case for Support
A Case for Support is an oft-used tool in fundraising to set out your stall; its purpose to communicate the ‘Why’ of your campaign. It’s a working document designed as a group/workshop exercise to provoke discussion, tease out the campaign’s identity and find its most compelling elements. It constantly evolves and very, very rarely ever … Continue reading Disrupting the Case for Support
Why fundraisers need to master the art of storytelling
Ever since humans first gathered together under a tree, we’ve told stories to one another. Stories that move us, scare us, illuminate our minds and inspire us to see the world anew. So why, when it comes to moving and inspiring people to give to a charitable cause, do so many in our industry resist … Continue reading Why fundraisers need to master the art of storytelling
Finding Value in the Middle: An Examination of Mid-Level Giving
In recent years, more attention has been paid to the value of mid-level donors. But many mid-level programs still underperform, with fundraisers uncertain about how to engage with these donors. Lawrence Henze, principal consultant at Blackbaud Target Analytics, has over 38 years of development and marketing experience in the nonprofit sector. In his latest white … Continue reading Finding Value in the Middle: An Examination of Mid-Level Giving
Should You Include Major Donor Prospects in Your Year-End Appeal?
Here’s the challenge – you’ve developed close, friendly, easy connections with your major gift prospects. You’re investing tons of time with these special major donor prospects — visiting with them, listening to their ideas, sharing your work with them. They are getting high-touch, very personalized treatment all the time, and they’re feeling like insiders at … Continue reading Should You Include Major Donor Prospects in Your Year-End Appeal?
13 Ways to Write Better Fundraising Asks
When you’re only six weeks into your new fundraising job and your boss suddenly assigns you the task of writing your organization’s year-end fundraising appeal, due tomorrow, what the heck are you going do? Instead of copying and pasting last year’s letter, how about you carve out some time to create your very own masterpiece? … Continue reading 13 Ways to Write Better Fundraising Asks
How Donors Choose: One choice that’ll increase revenue
Many nonprofits already know the value of giving concrete examples for what donations of different amounts are worth. You know, things like…$25 feeds a shelter dog for three weeks…$60 pays for a counselTina Cincottiing session at the legal aid clinic…$100 provides five hours of tutoring help… Whether people donate and how much is greatly influenced … Continue reading How Donors Choose: One choice that’ll increase revenue
Propper Fundraising 