30 Ideas for Fundraising Success, Part 2

"As a colleague of mine is fond of saying, plan your mail and mail your plan," Manes said. "Fall mailings are so important. Look at the results in fall to see what works and what doesn't," and use your strongest appeals in December.

Don't take any chances or you risk being left out, he added.

Test new universes to spike prospecting response rates
"The charity donor universe for your prospecting is getting tapped out and tired. You may have to think outside the box for prospecting," Terpstra said.