Fundraiser Education

July is National Wheelchair Beautification Month. It's also Cord Blood Awareness Month. I'm not telling you this because I think either of those issues is silly or frivolous. There are no doubt quality nonprofit organizations that need to raise funds for needed programs related to those two issues. But if they use those awareness months…

Are you looking for a quick fix to increase revenue? I don’t blame you. It’s never easy as a major gift fundraiser, and many nonprofits are holding on by a thread because they didn’t do the proper planning they should have. Today, many nonprofits are hoping for the magic bullet or quick fix to turn their fundraising, and in particular, major gift program around...

We have limited resources in fundraising. A key to success it to have a staff culture of philanthropy where your colleagues across the organization understand the importance of philanthropy and the valuable role that they can play to further the success of your organization...

I’m writing this article earlier in the week than usual because I am heading out of town for a few days. No, it’s not vacation—it’s continuing education. Like you, I don’t have time to attend training. I don’t have money to waste on training that doesn’t teach me anything new. And yes, I admit my main incentive for signing up for this training was the tri-annual renewal of my CFRE credentials...

You have a choice. That’s right, you do. You can inspire people who care about your cause to give to you because you’re moving the needle of change forward, or you can scare them into action using statistics designed to create urgency. You can share personal stories of people in need—the people you serve—that are…

Regardless of the fiscal year, summer seems to be a transition time for many—time to work feverishly to achieve fiscal-year financial targets while creating an organizational and operational plan for the next fiscal year. Many of us start putting on the brakes to a hectic year and begin the brief process of trying to finally take time off. (I have not taken one day off this calendar year or played a round of golf. Shame on me.) ...

Everyone I know has gone through a slump. It happens to the best of us. Thankfully, it doesn’t make national news, like when a baseball player goes 0-45 at the plate or a team loses 20 games in a row. But, for you personally, it can be demoralizing and despairing, and can lead you to depression. If you’re working in fundraising, it can be extremely frustrating, and in many cases it can lead to self-doubt about your own abilities. If you are currently going through or have gone through a slump, here are some ideas to shake yourself out of it...

Have I made mistakes in my past and present? You bet, but I have always cared deeply about each institution and the people I served during my tenure on staff. I constantly try to learn from others, both young and old, to perfect my craft. Nonprofit service is like golf, in the sense that you must constantly practice to become a better player. The dynamics of the nonprofit world are constantly changing and you must adapt and change to be successful...

Are you struggling to nail the perfect appeal letter? Whether we are sending appeals via email or direct mail, we will need to nail the ask. It needs to be solid, heartfelt—and donor-centered. Everybody’s talking about donor-centered fundraising, but in my opinion, very few nonprofits are getting it right.

Be sure that before you ask for the first gift that you are prepared. Have everything in place to drive the campaign to completion in an appropriate timeframe. Timing is everything. Momentum is vital. A campaign that languishes does nothing to build donor, prospective donor, volunteer and staff confidence.