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Quick tip! Permission-based language for the win

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 ...

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Is Multitasking Secretly Sabotaging Your Success?

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....

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Jump-starting Year-End Gift Conversations fundraisers fundraising major donors major gifts philanthropy relationships

"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...

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Fundraising is like cooking...

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...

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Navigating Year-End Fundraising: My Personal Formula for Success

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...

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All the gifts my first boss gave me... career fundraisers fundraising leadership

Sometimes, you only understand how good a thing is when you look back on it.

Such is the case with the boss in my very first job - Cliff Sanderlin.

My first fundraising job was at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. What a great mission, what great healing, what changed...

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"That donor I don't have to worry about..." donors fundraisers major donors major gifts relationships success

One of the great joys I have, being a fundraiser, is meeting donors who are true fans of our mission. 

You may have had donors like that - they're supporters and they give regularly. They may attend events or volunteer. They talk about your work to others. You may not even realize how much...

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Conversational Asking: Building Donor Relationships communications donors fundraisers fundraising major gifts relationships success

"So if you aspire to be a good conversationalist, be an attentive listener. To be interesting, be interested. Ask questions that other persons will enjoy answering. Encourage them to talk about themselves and their accomplishments.” 

This quote from Dale...

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Fundraising: Beyond the Numbers to Meaningful Connections donors fundraisers fundraising major gifts philanthropy success transformational gifts

As a fundraiser, I've come to realize that I'm more than a connector to charitable gifts. I'm a catalyst for change.

As fundraisers, we take the hopes and aspirations of supporters and prospects - their desire for a better world - and connect them to the life-changing missions...

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Want Loyal Donors? Communicate Well communications donors fundraisers fundraising major donors relationships

I believe that the most effective fundraising is connection-based fundraising.

Sure, you can "get donations in the door" with simple transactions. But most nonprofits are in it for the long haul, to create lasting, positive change in the world. So you want lasting donor...

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Why are fundraisers down on DAFs? - Part 2

In Part 1, I highlighted some of the language that Fidelity Charitable uses to talk to their donor-investors about Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), which you can see on this page. 

Fidelity neatly outlines the (their) benefits of a Giving Account (DAFs): 

  • Give more. Save more.
  • ...
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Why are fundraisers down on DAFs? - Part 1 donors fundraisers fundraising major donors major gifts transformational gifts
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...

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Connection-based strategies so you'll raise more and donors can create big impact

I'm a catalyst for giving - you can be, too! Subscribe to The Connection actionable advice, insightful strategies and everything you need to connect with donors and raise more for community impact. 
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