Personalization

My mother was known for having impeccable manners. At her memorial service, it seemed as if every other person who shared a memory talked about her manners. They did so not in a nitpicking way, but in a loving way. It seemed she always knew just the right thing to do to show her appreciation...

Leadership makes the difference! Of this, I have no doubt. Effective CEOs can transform an organization, and donors look to the CEO as a benchmark when considering a major investment. However, I believe that there is one leadership role more important to an organization—and more critical to its short and long-term success...

Nonprofit marketing has to accomplish a lot more with less. What works for business doesn’t always work for nonprofits...

In this interactive webinar, our expert speakers will address tips for creating seamless cross-channel shopping experiences and more.

I get a lot of fundraising mail, which is good because to this fundraiser, that’s like food to a starving person. I receive great nourishment from other people’s mail (OPM)—creative stimulation, chuckles, thoughtful moments, emotional engagement, smiles and an occasional tear...

Have you ever started a new job, only to discover that no thank yous had been sent for months? Or even—(gasp!)—years? I ran across that very situation in what I fondly refer back to as my last “job-job...

Whatever you do, keep it manageable and affordable for yourself. And make sure that the donor is okay with you recognizing them in the ways you promise them you will. Once you create these promises, you can start listing it whenever and wherever you promote the program...

People on voluntary sector boards have heavy workloads—so what’s the best way to share the burden? Sub-committees may not seem exciting, but if used properly, delegating tasks will help your board to be brilliant. Here are my six top tips on how to get the most from your sub-committees: 1. Let them delve into detail…

It may sound hokey, but try to keep a gratitude journal. Not just any gratitude journal, but a donor-gratitude journal. Write down five things each week about why you’re grateful to your donors. You can be grateful to specific donors or to donors as a group. Just get in the habit of thinking about what you’re specifically grateful for...

This old dog challenges you to think about that old fundraising standby, the telephone, in a new way. Just maybe there’s a stronger donor relationship that will result from a telephone call and a genuine word of appreciation...