Annual Campaigns

If you're on a June/July fiscal year, you need to make plans now for a strong year's end. That means updating your messaging that you decided last July was the best approach. It means confirming or lining up your interviews for those story-based letters. It means making sure that you're still sending to the right segments.

This is incredibly effective! If you ask me to do one or two strategic things, I can and will accomplish them. Get me loaded up with a bunch—and especially things that I am not comfortable doing—I'll shut down.

Did you know that billions of contributions are in play right now? Donors will, in fact, be giving vast amounts of money to charities in the next three weeks. Many organizations will receive up to a third of their entire annual giving this month.

Are you ready for a huge spike in online gifts this month? I hope so! Because the money — and the donors — are out there.

Focusing on high-cash giving not only maximizes actual year-end returns, but more importantly, builds motivation and commitment in the segment of your donor base with the greatest inclination to give.

Be explicit, don't beat around the bush, get to the point and be clear in your fundraising appeal letter. You'll raise more money if you do!

Learn how liberal arts institution Vassar College executed a crowdfunding campaign for its annual fund.

Labeling a campaign volunteer a "storyteller" blurs what is expected of the annual-fund volunteers — that they ask for a gift.

When you make smart choices and set thoughtful priorities about where you are going to spend your time and resources, then you have a solid, workable fundraising plan.

The Nonprofit Research Collaborative's recently released Special Report About Annual Funds explores the topic of annual funds and how important they are to fundraising success. Here are a few key findings from the report following the accompanying infographic.