When you're writing a fundraising letter, the last thing you want to do is write the fundraising letter. I mean that literally. The letter is the emotional core of your package. So before you dive in, ask, and answer, these five questions.
Telemarketing is a critical piece of the multichannel fundraising puzzle. So, how can an organization leverage telemarketing to remind its donors why its work is so important? Here are three things to remember.
One year ago this month, I wrote an article that detailed what may be one of the boldest moves by a top brand in the nonprofit industry. Today's blog is your reminder of all that went into that decision by the American Cancer Society (ACS). Why am I reminding you? Because in two weeks, I will be providing you an update on where things stand and the progress ACS has made on its goals.
Right now is a great time to get out your fundraising stethoscope and give your program its summer checkup. Like people, cars and many other things, a fundraising program works best with some routine care.
Successful advancement must be strategic and integrated. It relies on the understanding of what each discipline is — and is not — and how together, the disciplines become a beautiful orchestra creating a masterpiece yielding a great donor relationship and experience, plus many more dollars raised to achieve the organization's mission.
Are you inward-focused or outward-focused with your marketing and fundraising?
Accurate, statistically valid testing is a rigorous process. It needs to be conducted by people who not only know how to do it, but who also know how to properly analyze the results.
Budgeting as a fundraiser can be challenging. Too often, the overall goals seem to be (1) spend less and (2) raise more. It's as if it was as easy as simply willing it to happen … I am unable to solve that problem for you, but here are six groups you need to be sure have a starring role in your next fiscal year budget.
I admit it — if you follow these six steps you won’t have a model fundraising program in place. But beating your head against the wall until you finally give up isn’t a good solution, either. Start small and make sure everyone on the team knows about the successes and sees the positive notes and emails you receive from donors. Be the best cheerleader for fundraising.
Most nonprofit organizations consider their donors "family." That means that every time you talk to a donor, send a letter or email, or see a donor face to face, it's much like a family reunion. And what happens in those few minutes or hours of engagement impacts the relationship for months, even years, to come.
