Fundraiser Education

If you’ve never made a fundraising plan before, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are six principles of a good fundraising plan to get you started. A good fundraising plan must have all of these things. 1. How we will raise it (the strategy). 2. Dates (when will this happen?). 3. Who is responsible (who will do it)? 4. Amount we expect to raise (the goal). 5. Amount it will cost to raise the money. 6. The net total raised when cost is factored in.

No matter if you’re scrambling to increase year-end impact or hoping to shape your 2014 plan to surpass 2013 results, jump in to these four last-chance marketing to-dos today: 1. Pinpoint where you are right now. 2. Execute what you can ASAP to boost 2013 results. 3. Nurture your relationships now to build support in 2014. 4. Refine your 2014 right-things marketing plan based on your 2013 learning.

For the new few weeks I’ll be suggesting ways to turn good fundraising resolutions for the New Year into income and more committed donors throughout the next 12 months. One of the top resolutions every year is “get fit.” Visits at the health club increase (until about mid-February); diets are observed for a time; and efforts to get more sleep, exercise and downtime to de-stress are launched. While these are good personal aims, our fundraising programs need some attention to get (or stay) fit, as well.

Marcia Stepanek, an adjunct professor at New York University’s George H. Heyman Jr. Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising, speaks with FundRaising Success about the rise of technology and how the Heyman Center and schools like it are educating the fundraising sector.

I am a proud nonprofit fundraiser. There, I said it. I for one am glad I stumbled upon this profession. Come out and be proud with me.

At the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Philadelphia Chapter's National Philanthropy Day Awards luncheon, three fundraising pros discussed making the dreams of donors and volunteers come true.

You’ve probably heard it before … life is a marathon, not a sprint. Well the same holds true in the fundraising world. Except when it doesn’t. Nope, the few short weeks of November and December are when it is time to put your game face on and just go for it. You have seven weeks to reach your fundraising goals, meet those membership objectives and secure financial commitments for next year. 

Now, before you shut off your computer to go running through the office screaming the sky is falling, let me share with you some good news.

As you're thinking about 2014 (yes, it's only 40 days away), you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed, wondering what you can do to get just a little bit bigger slice of the philanthropic pie.

At the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Philadelphia Chapter's National Philanthropy Day Awards luncheon, three fundraising pros discussed making the dreams of donors and volunteers come true.

Fresh off a UGA-Florida win, Bulldogs' fans explain how fundraising and football have so much in common.