Most often, I work with enlightened progressive and donor-centered leaders. And then, occasionally, one shows up that just takes my breath away. That was my experience when I met with one CEO who needed help with his major gift program — at least that is what I thought.
Retaining donors is difficult and retaining a significant number of donors is rare among nonprofits. However, effective donor retention is possible with a retention plan that takes into account why your donors give to your nonprofit, works to build personal connections and gives donors the flexibility they need to continue giving to your organization.
We're not alone in experiencing food, gas and other prices going up. And, as fundraisers, we should be concerned about the impact on giving.
Why does your donor love your organization so much? Have you sat down with your donor and really listened to the answer? If they say, “Well, I just think you do a great job,” do you dig deeper to find out their "Why?" — the story behind their motivation to give?
Monthly giving is the holy grail of fundraising, but many nonprofit leaders are frustrated when their programs are stagnant and not growing faster. So, how do you elevate your monthly giving program to its full potential?
I am convinced that attempting to secure a face-to-face meeting is one of the hardest things a development professional can do. People have told me seeking a first meeting with a prospect is harder than speaking in public.
I’m baffled that board members still need to be convinced that monthly giving is a thing, and that monthly giving is a great way to provide ongoing sustainable revenue for the organization.
Text messaging is an important — and largely underused — donor stewardship tool. As texting has become the primary form of communication for many of us, it’s time to embrace texting as a central piece of your larger donor communications strategy.
There is not a limit to how many times you should tell a donor they are making a difference. You could do it every week. But then the question is how do you make the story different and unique?
Earlier this week, a copywriter friend of mine asked a great question. And I’m sure many of you are struggling with this same predicament. Often a strategy calls for including so many offers in one direct mail fundraising appeal, so how can you include a sustainer recruitment effort as well?
