Don’t believe everything you hear. I realize I hardly need to tell you such an obvious piece of advice. But there are a lot of beliefs about fundraising that can really hurt your program. These things keep getting repeated, year…
Read MoreDiscover the Power of Inclusive Fundraising for ALL Donors
Here’s some good news for fundraisers: If you make your fundraising work for everyone, regardless of their visual acuity, reading ability, attention, or knowledge and expertise — you make it better for everyone else too. That means when you write,…
Read MoreHow to Handle a “Demanding” Donor
I used to have a mental picture of “difficult” major donors, based on horror stories I’d heard. I imagined a cigar-chomping business tycoon who wanted to use large donations to remake a nonprofit to fit his own preferred vision, not…
Read MoreThe Fundraiser’s Practical Guide to Older Donors: 3 Things You Need to Know
One of the most difficult things about fundraising is the gap between most fundraisers and most donors. (If you are in your 50s or later, you probably already know what I’m going to say in this post.) Ours is a…
Read MoreGet Me Some Young Donors Right NOW!
Chances are, the average age of your donors is notably high. That’s how it is for almost every nonprofit on the planet. It’s a result mainly of the way the human brain works, often enhanced by economic and cultural forces.…
Read More12 Things You Need to Know about Talking to Donors about Bequests
Just the idea of talking to donors about bequests can be overwhelming. As fundraisers, we’re used to simple calls to action, quick solutions to problems, and lots of urgency. If you’re good at fundraising, you are equipped to be good…
Read MoreThe Liberating Truth Behind Smart Bequest Fundraising — It’s About Life
You are going to die. And probably sooner than you think. Not a great way to start a conversation is it? To hear some people talk about it, you’d think communicating with donors about bequests is like some kind of…
Read MoreVIDEO: The Magic Words of Bequest Fundraising
Professor Russell James, Professor of Charitable Financial Planning at Texas Tech University, shares the words and phrases that help donors connect meaningfully with the topic of bequest giving. Learn the importance of: “Family” language The importance of simplicity The power…
Read MoreVIDEO: Good and Bad Delusions: What My Cat Is Teaching Me about Fundraising
I’d like to introduce you to Dulcinea, my cat. She’s very nice. We have a great relationship, as long as I keep supplying cat food. But we’re both delusional. That’s okay, though. It’s how two very different species can get…
Read MoreMy Biggest Fundraising Disaster: The Sad Tale of the Cynical Humanitarians
Is your organization looking for a fundamental, game-changing shift in how you raise funds? I wish you the best. I hope you find it. But let me tell you something not to do in your search for transformation by sharing…
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