Association of Fundraising Professionals

During their session at the Association of Fundraising Professionals 51st International Conference on Fundraising in San Antonio, "How to Hang on to Your Donors: Successful Donor-Retention Strategies," Amnesty International Canada's Rosemary Oliver and Harvey McKinnon, president of Harvey McKinnon Associates, said the very best way to keep donors is to sign them up for monthly giving.

Seven out of 10 nonprofits expect donations to increase this year, and 13 percent expect their gains to be substantial — growing by at least 15 percent, according to a survey of 538 charities to be released this week. Charities say they are optimistic because 2013 was stronger than any other year since the recession started. Sixty-two percent of charities said they raised more money last year than in 2012, the largest share since 2007, when 65 percent increased donations.

Tweets from the 2014 Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference on Fundraising (#afpicon).

I recently viewed the DVD of a panel discussion, "Charity Watchdogs, Donor Perceptions and the Overhead Myth," a program held Jan. 30 by the Direct Marketing Association of Washington (D.C.). Since I haven't read much about the content of this discussion, I want to share with you comments from the panelists that I found interesting, insightful and, yes, at times, challenging. Don't expect to agree with them all, but "listen" and then decide what else you can do today to give your donors confidence that you are worthy of their support.

One of the best ways to improve your donor churn rate is to improve your donor communications. Here are six of the worst donor communication mistakes and some tips for how to avoid them: the "one and done," the "me, me, me," the "broken record," the "word vomit," the "disconnected" and the "show me the money."

Eileen Heisman, ACFRE, whose leadership as president and CEO of National Philanthropic Trust (NPT) has transformed it into the largest, independent provider of donor-advised funds in the U.S., has been named the 2014 Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

The award is presented to the fundraiser who has practiced his or her profession in an exemplary manner for at least 15 years while generating significant revenue for his or her organizations.

True confession from this old dog — I hadn’t looked at the Donor Bill of Rights in a while. It seemed like a good assignment to give to students of fundraising. But it ended up being a good assignment for me, too. Maybe today is when you need to put some working clothes on your genius and read it over with a fresh set of eyes.

Announcing the 2014 FundRaising Success Fundraising Professionals of the Year Awards winners.

Ted Hart speaks with CFRE fundraising consultant and Association of Fundraising Professionals Master Trainer Kirsten Bullock about essential fundraising for small nonprofits on his Nonprofit Coach radio show.

The great debate on overhead costs and charity watchdog ratings continues to evolve, and the Direct Marketing Association of Washington is tackling this issue with a panel discussion.