Creative

Unfortunately, there isn't an "inspiration switch" to flip when we're having a hard time collecting enough interesting thoughts to string together for a fundraising activity. What's a fundraiser to do?

As part of our January cover story, we asked some fundraising pros to fill in these blanks: "My favorite trend right now is ______. I would like to see _____ just go away." Some of their answers were pretty surprising, with things likes mobile giving, special events and good ol' No. 10s being wished off the face of the fundraising earth.

By using these three R’s throughout 2012, you may be able to talk to your donors in more ways and still have time left over to have a life.

Graphical representations of information, known as infographics, can help nonprofits weave anecdotes and rock-solid evidence into beautiful stories that appeal to both the head and the heart.

Well-designed infographics can convey complex information in surprisingly engaging ways, and their popularity is skyrocketing. Type “infographics” into a Google search and you will see them by the hundreds on topics as varied as the U.S. debt and how much you can drink at an office party.

If you can't even get the person's name or last gift right, how on earth do you expect a donor to believe you will use his or her donations effectively?

Here are ideas that I've heard fundraising professionals advise over and over during the past few years — all of which make good sense and great fundraising.

Enjoy your New Year and remember: There should always be "fun" in FUNdraising.

Fundraisers that succeed in 2012 will remember A, B, C: alignment, balance and clarity.

For fundraisers, our holiday wishes are simple — good income, good income and, of course, good income! But looking ahead to 2012, here are three things I'd like to find under the tree Christmas morning that I guarantee will bring happiness to me through the new year.

Women teasingly taking off lingerie; obscene language flying left and right; graphic violence both bloody and disturbing. Is this the content of some R-rated film? Could be. But these days, eye-opening scenes like this can also be found in charity marketing campaigns.

Marketing consultant John J. Burnett understands that in these tough economic times, charities are trying harder than ever to get attention.

However, he cautions, “the risks are greater than the level of awareness they are going to create. You could end up trivializing the cause or diminishing the actual problem.”