Why are fundraisers down on DAFs? - Part 1 donors fundraisers fundraising major donors major gifts transformational gifts May 30, 2023
I hear fundraisers complain about gifts received through Donor Advised Funds, known as DAFs.

"I never know who is actually giving."

"I can't steward these people properly!" (nor cultivate the donor for a second gift.)

"We have major donors who have stopped giving - how do I know if they are...

Continue Reading...
Making the Ask: Guiding Phrases for Securing Major Gifts donors fundraisers fundraising major donors major gifts transformational gifts May 22, 2023

Yesterday I came across a document from my early fundraising days in Canada. The Director of the nonprofit asked me for phrases she could use when asking for large gifts from donors.

I'd forgotten that I had created this document and "Key Phrases and Next Steps when Asking...

Continue Reading...
Build a Culture of Philanthropy: Conversations with Doubting Colleagues donors fundraisers fundraising philanthropy relationships teamwork May 12, 2023

What to do when our non-fundraising colleagues and leadership don't understand fundraising

Most fundraisers aim to build a Culture of Philanthropy within their organizations. This is important because internal support is an key stepping stone to fundraising success – particularly...

Continue Reading...
Fundraisers Need Gratitude career donors fundraisers fundraising Dec 05, 2022

This is the last in a three-part series on why fundraisers need grit, grace and gratitude.

I firmly believe we need more gratitude in this world. Not only fundraisers, but everyone. Here are the reasons I believe we fundraisers need gratitude:

Nonprofit work is challenging. We often do more...

Continue Reading...
Every Fundraiser Needs Grace career donors fundraisers fundraising Dec 05, 2022

This is the second in a three-part series on why fundraisers need gritgrace and gratitude.

 

Today I’m diving into the attribute of grace. If you’ve been a fundraiser for any length of time, you know there are times when you need grace.
  • It...
Continue Reading...
Great Fundraisers Need Grit career donors fundraisers fundraising Dec 05, 2022

This is the first in a three-part series on why fundraisers need gritgrace and gratitude.

I keep this little poster framed in my office, "Grit, Grace & Gratitude," It perfectly sums up what it takes to be a great fundraiser.

The term “grit” isn’t...

Continue Reading...
Working the Room - Getting the Right People donors events fundraisers fundraising major donors relationships teamwork Oct 05, 2022

In a previous post, I offered some practical tips on  ensuring that your nonprofit events maximize donor, volunteer and prospect relationships and help move them forward (and how to deal with challenges here).

But much of this can start even earlier - at the invitation stage.

What typically...

Continue Reading...
Working the Room - When it's a Challenge donors events fundraisers fundraising major donors relationships teamwork Oct 05, 2022

Recently I've been talking about Working the Room - how to get the most out of donor relationships during event. Then I wrote a post about getting the right people to the event.  The posts outlined practical steps about how fundraisers, board and staff can focus on the donors and not...

Continue Reading...
Working the Room donors events fundraisers fundraising major donors relationships teamwork Oct 05, 2022

I had a colleague who told me, as we prepared to attend a pre-opening donor event at an art museum, that these events were very difficult for her.

"They aren't hard for you, you like talking with people," she said to me. "For me, it is different."

Yes and no. There is no question that I get...

Continue Reading...
Joy at Work career fundraisers philanthropy Aug 27, 2022

I love being a fundraiser and I always say that, for me, fundraising isn't a job but a calling.

So I was excited listening to Shankar Vedantam's podcast, "How to Build a Better Job," where he interviewed Amy Wrzesniewski, Ph.D., Professor of Organizational Behavior...

Continue Reading...
What No Means for Fundraisers Jul 03, 2022

Be open to hearing what donors are really saying...

What "No" Means - from your donor

  • I'm too busyYou haven't prepared me for this conversation, or I'm not ready to make this level of commitment
  • I don't trust youYou or your charity have not created a feeling of trust...
Continue Reading...
Transfer of Trust donors fundraisers fundraising philanthropy relationships May 31, 2022

When working with donors to identify prospective donors who may wish to support your charity, an important part of relationship building is what I call "transfer of trust."

Kivi Leroux Miller talks about it in her book The Nonprofit Marketing Guide.

"Few people wake up and decide out of the blue...

Continue Reading...
1 2
    / /