Jump-starting Year-End Gift Conversations fundraisers fundraising major donors major gifts philanthropy relationships Nov 30, 2023

"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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All the gifts my first boss gave me... career fundraisers fundraising leadership Aug 17, 2023

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 Aug 08, 2023

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 Jul 17, 2023

"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 Jul 10, 2023

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 Jul 03, 2023

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 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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...
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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...

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