I've handled huge portfolios where I felt as though I was playing catch-up all the time on certain donors. They rarely responded when I sent something like an update until they were ready to talk about their gift.
Other times, I worked with donors who I couldn't give enough information, and in...
Ad from Alaska Airlines
I used to smile when I would see this ad from Alaska Airlines. It was witty and exemplified making a quick decision appropriate to the occasion.
As a fundraiser, sometimes you need to be ready for a change of plans - a sudden opportunity to speak to a prospect, a...
I JUST HATE PHONE CALLS
In the last two days I've worked with two separate clients and they both hate making phone calls.
When exploring the discomfort of his phone experiences, I asked Client A if he ever called his mom. "No, I just see her around town. Do you text instead? I...
If you're up on the latest findings from the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP), you already know that while overall philanthropy giving is dipping, the share of major gifts is growing.
Major and Supersize gifts - representing gifts of $5,000 and more - comprise 76% of total...
I was honored to be invited to give the opening keynote at Food for the Poor. I had the good fortune to work with Barbara Mari in the past and her new role at Food for the Poor is Senior Director Major & Regional Giving.
One of the questions that was asked afterwards was, "When we call...
Mostly, we get the Asking on lock.
We get around to the Thank at some point (great thanks can really set your nonprofit apart and BOOSTS your fundraising results).
And we Report - sometimes we just lump it in with a newsletter or annual report and call it good - but...
If you know me, you know I prefer using permission-based language with donors and prospects. I listened to a great podcast by Nikki Rausch, "When not to say, 'Thanks for Your Patience'."In it, she talks about the phrase, which I have used before.
"...There's such a difference between ...
Should you stop multitasking?
I honestly think multitasking has saved my life many times. Or maybe it has just saved me time, and in that time of my life, I craved the ability to create more time out of thin air.
I was raised in a family where being as productive as possible was highly valued....
"Donor, would today be the right time to speak about your impact with [charity]? Our impact continues to [impact]."
If you still have donors or prospects on your list who you meant to ask, tried to ask, or have been trying to have a conversation with... now is the time to get engaged in...
Happy Holidays!
While prepping a small feast during the holiday season, I thought about how similar fundraising is to cooking. And if you, like me, really enjoy both, you may savor this post. I'll include the evening's recipes at the end!
Planning—A well-considered plan always provides...
How much will we get in before Dec 31?.
I worked for an arts organization where our goal was to finish the year at least $1 in the black. It was imperative to know what we might be getting in as closely as possible. There is a formulae that I've used - and you can, too - to better figure out how...
