5 Fundraising Trends for 2011

1. Target: Identify a group of people taking the action you want to replicate, i.e., donors who have made a planned gift.
2. Model: Understand their common characteristics, and build a formula around those attributes.
3. Score: Use the formula to identify those likely to engage in the same behavior on your housefile based on similarities to target.

Down with 'donors,' up with 'customers' and 'connections'
Don't just look at donors as walking checkbooks and dollar signs. Connect with your donors and build relationships, Craver said. Treat them like customers, and have a focused stewardship plan. Communicate through multiple channels, and understand who's loyal and who's vulnerable to engage them appropriately.