Fundraiser Education

And just like that, 2015 is coming to a close. Whether your nonprofit saw major success or the past 12 months have been a steady stream of trials and learning experiences, you’ve got another year in the books. Congratulations! But, before you can charge full force into the next one, you’ll want to take a…

“Sometimes opportunity knocks, but most of the time it sneaks up and then quietly steals away,” wrote columnist Doug Larson. I’ve found this to be true in my life and in my career as a nonprofit leader. Thinking back on my mentors, I realize I have a confession: Each one quietly offered me more than I took advantage of...

Beyond the Christmas decorations, gift-giving and parties, this is the time of year to sift through the mountain of requests for charitable donations, from groups that fight hunger and cancer to our alma mater and places of worship. So how can we gauge which groups are most deserving of our money? Princeton University philosophy professor…

Peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising has become an important element of nonprofit development, with more and more organizations recognizing the potential to increase their donations. The beginning of the year is a great time to strengthen and grow your organization’s strategy. Here are 10 ways to build on your P2P efforts as you head into the new…

The crux of Russell Conway's famous essay, “Acres of Diamonds,” actually translates to one of the greatest secrets of fundraising ever revealed. It’s been my experience that virtually every organization fails to fully mine the innumerable diamonds hidden within its own database. So how can you find “Acres of Diamonds” within your own organization? Focus on developing a positive, forward-thinking attitude...

Your major donor has given in the last month or so, and you now are turning your attention to the donors on your caseload who have not given so far this calendar year. This is good. But you may be missing an opportunity to ask your major donor for another gift. “What?” you say. “Ask again? I can’t do that! It would not be right.” Well, let me present a different point of view...

Along with the familiar red kettles, the Angel Tree program has become one of The Salvation Army’s highest profile Christmas efforts. In my position at The Salvation Army’s Divisional Headquarters in Indianapolis, I was able to witness this miraculous program firsthand when it came to central Indiana for the first time this fall....

‘Twas the week before New Year’s and through the fundraising shop, development staff were stressing that year-end giving would flop. The letters were mailed, the emails all sent, Phone calls were made, and on visits they went....

It’s a busy time of year—for you and your donors. To get the most out of the effort you’re putting in to your campaigns, it’s important to focus in on the key elements that will move supporters to act and give before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve. Your mission: to stand out, inspire,…

If you’re looking for a quick, easy, affordable and dynamic way to thank donors this holiday season, then check this out: Make and send a thank-you video. It’s super easy to shoot. Just use your smartphone. No fancy equipment or skill needed (isn’t that a relief?). With YouTube being one of the biggest social media…