Whats next for Fundraisers

VIDEO: What’s Next for Fundraisers? We Have Bad News and Good News

Crises Fundraising
You might have heard there’s a post-pandemic “slump” coming for fundraisers. Is it going to happen? And what can we do about it? We have two short answers for you: Yes, a slump in giving is almost sure to happen…
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Loch Ness Monster blog post

Is the Donor Fatigue Monster Hiding under Your Bed?

Fundraising, Coronavirus
Most children go through a phase where they believe there’s a monster hiding under their bed. It lives only in their imagination, but it really terrifies them. Why do they do that? In all the history of the world, all…
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Pop Art Fear

The One Thing Every Fundraiser Should Be Afraid of Now

Coronavirus
It’s March 4, 1933. The Great Depression has been going for three-plus years, and is at its lowest point. People are terrified. Some say it’s the end of the United States, of the whole Western World. A new US president,…
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pop art man bashing head against wall with money CROPPED 123rf e1589151753257

This Nonprofit Leader Needs to Resign. Do You Have Someone Like That?

Boards and Fundraising, Coronavirus
What I’m about to tell you is a true story. In fact, the story is still playing out, which is why I’ve changed some of the details to hide the identity of the players. You’ll see why pretty quickly. A…
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Pop Art Crises e1586142794344

[VIDEO] What Fundraisers Should Do — and NOT Do — During the COVID-19 Crisis

Coronavirus
This is a must-see video for everyone wondering what to do next during the coronavirus crisis. Today, I speak with long-time colleague Mary Anne Plummer of Exuberance Unlimited about what fundraisers should be doing — and NOT doing: DO keep…
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Pop Art Planet Earth in hands e1555454303137

VIDEO: Fundraiser’s Guide to the Australian Fires — and Other Disasters

Fundraising
The Australian multi-state bushfires are an emergency of mind-boggling proportions. It calls for response. And donors around the world are responding. Emergency fundraising is different. It has its own “rules” and calls for a rather different strategy from normal fundraising.…
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Do long letters in fundraising still work?

The Weird Power of Long Fundraising Letters

Direct Mail, Donor Psychology, Major and Mid Value Donors
Long letters work better. But don’t just take it from me. Dr Barnardo wrote a four-page appeal letter in London in the 1880s using classic direct mail techniques: Underlining, urgency, dollar handles, specific ask and a clear reference to what…
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How Do Disasters Affect Your Charity?

How Do Disasters Affect Your Charity?

Fundraising, Monthly Giving
My heart and best wishes go out to the victims of the terrible hurricanes that hurtled through Caribbean countries and Gulf states over the past few weeks. In terms of fundraising after the disaster, there are two ‘types’ of charities:…
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Passive-Aggressive Fundraising -- Just Stop It!

Passive-Aggressive Fundraising — Just Stop It!

Fundraising
Do you need your donors? It’s a yes-or-no question. There’s no maybe, no degrees of agreement. You need donors to make your work possible, or you have some other source of funding and you don’t need donors. Even if donors…
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earthquake aftermath3 e1513305941743

Finding Committed Donors from Disaster Responders

Digital Fundraising
I wrote this article back in 2015 following the devastating Nepal earthquake. Even though it was a few years ago now, the tactics and strategies on how to find committed donors from disaster responders still very much apply today. A full step by…
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