Sarah Lawson, Author at Moceanic

The Secret to Standing Out on Giving Tuesday

November 2, 2026

Sarah Lawson

Digital Fundraising, Direct Mail, Fundraising

How a Match Turns Giving Tuesday from Noise into Action Giving Tuesday has a problem. Everyone’s asking on the same day, for the same reason: because it’s Giving Tuesday. Your donor’s inbox will be full of messages from nonprofits. All…

Your Donors Are Ready to Talk Bequests. Are You?

October 19, 2026

Sarah Lawson

Bequests and Legacies, Donor Psychology, Values and Fundraising

Some fundraisers can talk about bequests with donors easily. Others put it off. What’s the difference? The ones who put it off don’t do so because they lack skill. It’s because the conversation feels hard. It feels like we’re asking a donor to think about something both we…

Why Donors Actually Give at Year-End

September 21, 2026

Sarah Lawson

Donor Psychology, Fundraising, Strategy

Ask a room of fundraisers why donations spike in December, and a lot will say the same thing: tax deductions. It’s a reasonable answer. It’s also mostly wrong. In the US, where December 31 is the tax deadline, only around…

Is Donor Fatigue Real, or Are You Afraid to Ask in Tough Times?

August 31, 2026

Sarah Lawson

Activism, Annual Reports, Stewardship

There’s a conversation that happens in the fundraising sector that I’ve been mulling over for a while now. It goes something like this. Times are hard. Donors are struggling. We shouldn’t be asking right now. It doesn’t feel right. I’ve…

How Honest Crisis Appeals Raise More Money Than You Expect

August 17, 2026

Sarah Lawson

Crises Fundraising, Direct Mail

When money gets tight, the instinct for many nonprofits is to stop spending. You don’t want donors to think the nonprofit is in trouble. You don’t want to seem desperate. You tell yourself you’ll wait until things improve before you…

Recession Fundraising: Where to Focus When Resources Are Tight

August 10, 2026

Sarah Lawson

Crises Fundraising, Major and Mid Value Donors, Newsletters

When budgets get tight, the instinct is to protect everything equally. Everything stays on the list, but everything gets less. It’s the wrong instinct. Not all fundraising income responds to tough times the same way. Some income streams are remarkably…

Why Cutting Fundraising in Tough Times Is a Mistake

August 3, 2026

Sarah Lawson

Crises Fundraising, Strategy

One of our clients was told to cut their fundraising budget by 15%. No discussion, no data, just cut it. I understand why boards do this. Fundraising is one of the biggest line items. When money gets tight, it looks…

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Posts by Sarah Lawson

The Secret to Standing Out on Giving Tuesday

Your Donors Are Ready to Talk Bequests. Are You?

Why Donors Actually Give at Year-End

Is Donor Fatigue Real, or Are You Afraid to Ask in Tough Times?

How Honest Crisis Appeals Raise More Money Than You Expect

Recession Fundraising: Where to Focus When Resources Are Tight

Why Cutting Fundraising in Tough Times Is a Mistake

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Posts by Sarah Lawson

The Secret to Standing Out on Giving Tuesday

Your Donors Are Ready to Talk Bequests. Are You?

Why Donors Actually Give at Year-End

Is Donor Fatigue Real, or Are You Afraid to Ask in Tough Times?

How Honest Crisis Appeals Raise More Money Than You Expect

Recession Fundraising: Where to Focus When Resources Are Tight

Why Cutting Fundraising in Tough Times Is a Mistake

SIGNUP FOR E-NEWS AND FREE FUNDRAISING TIPS

Nearly every single email can help you raise more money for your cause. You don't want to miss out.

Popular Posts

Topics

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Dive Into Smarter Fundraising with Moceanic

Now is the time to jump on board to get even smarter about your fundraising

ABOUT

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

MORE

SIGN UP FOR REGULAR, USEFUL FUNDRAISING TIPS FROM MOCEANIC

SIGN UP FOR REGULAR, USEFUL
FUNDRAISING TIPS FROM MOCEANIC