Does data really matter? In the increasingly crowded and vital world of fundraising, every interaction counts. Yet, for busy development teams, the shotgun approach of contacting just about anyone connected to your organisation or institution often yields disappointing results. This is where data steps in, transforming the fundraising landscape from a scattershot endeavour into a … Continue reading Turning Blind Calls into Bullseyes: How Data Empowers Fundraisers with Smarter Targeting
How to find your community as an adult — and why it matters
Charities rely on communities to help support their causes and, as social creatures, humans need interpersonal contact to survive. These connections range from your inner circle of family and close friends to the outer rungs of your social network — other pet parents at the dog park, for example — and it’s important to have … Continue reading How to find your community as an adult — and why it matters
When you’re too big to succeed
Mary Mcahalane's family recently made what was for them a large gift to a national charity. The response was underwhelming, and that’s being kind. An 8.5 x 14 sheet of paper, with the bottom being a tear-off, generic response form. The thank you letter – such as it was – consisted of 4 short paragraphs. … Continue reading When you’re too big to succeed
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Development Content: Five ways to reframe your donor stories
Higher education and nonprofit communications teams tend to turn their noses up at donor profiles. Their reaction isn’t unfounded; college alumni magazine readership surveys, for one, consistently show that donor profiles and gift announcements rank last in interest among types of content in these publications. After working for more than a decade on both sides … Continue reading How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Development Content: Five ways to reframe your donor stories
Why the things you hate make good appeals
That informal language is undignified... A fundraising appeal is not a business letter. Say it again. Keep saying it until you believe it. An appeal should read like a letter from a dear friend. Or better yet, like a phone call from that friend, transcribed. So yes, there will be contractions, because people use contractions … Continue reading Why the things you hate make good appeals
The Importance of Having a Multichannel Fundraising Campaign
Year-end fundraising season is starting to gear up. However, if you just send one fundraising letter and wait for the donations to come in, prepare to be disappointed. Your donors have a lot going on and may put your letter aside to handle later, and then never get to it. Of course, you can also … Continue reading The Importance of Having a Multichannel Fundraising Campaign
Does your thank you letter really matter?
Most donors don’t care much about how they’re thanked. That’s not because it doesn’t matter, but because most donors are kind and generous people who just want to be helpful. Let’s take a small step back and consider how donors think about charities. Suppose you just received a gift from a new donor. You might … Continue reading Does your thank you letter really matter?
How to remember names – every single time!
You’re out making waves in the world: networking with potential clients, donors, business partners, or simply meeting new friends. Nothing makes a person feel valued like you remembering their name. But there’s one problem: just how are you supposed to remember all those names and faces!? Could there really be a version of ‘Future You’ … Continue reading How to remember names – every single time!
Does Your Nonprofit Need a New Donor Retention Strategy?
Donor retention was 45.5% at the end of 2017, which is not an inspiring number. So, why should my organization be focused on donor retention? One major reason is financial – it costs less to motivate an existing donor to donate again, versus attracting new donors. In addition, you already know that they believe in … Continue reading Does Your Nonprofit Need a New Donor Retention Strategy?
Donor Retention Strategies: From CRMs to Annual Reports
Whatever you do, don’t stop fundraising during these difficult times. While this fundraising may look different, it should never cease entirely. You need revenue to keep your organization alive amidst a shifting economy. Your nonprofit should aim to increase your donor retention now to allow you to develop these relationships and have an even stronger base of support. A … Continue reading Donor Retention Strategies: From CRMs to Annual Reports
Propper Fundraising 